2027 Best Value Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting Schools in the Southwest Region
[Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting](/majors/protective-security-safety-services/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 155 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting Schools in the Southwest Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting Schools
For return on investment in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting, no school beat College Of The Mainland this year. Located in the city of Texas City, College Of The Mainland is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,310, with out-of-state students paying around $4,140. Students borrow a median of $10,928 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $48,704. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Texas A And M University Central Texas earned it the #2 place for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. Texas A And M University Central Texas is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Killeen. Students from in state pay about $7,363 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,155. Students borrow a median of $24,750 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Texas A And M University Central Texas generally make around $45,976. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
Del Mar College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Corpus Christi, Del Mar College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,500, with out-of-state students paying around $6,050. Students borrow a median of $6,250 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Del Mar College generally make around $40,661. Set against $6,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Pima Community College earned it the #4 place for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. Pima Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Tucson. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,442, while out-of-state students pay about $7,758. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $7,562. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Pima Community College generally make around $47,200. Set against $7,562 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Tarrant County College District is a great value for students pursuing a degree in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Fort Worth, Tarrant County College District is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,863, while out-of-state students pay about $8,370. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $16,262 in student loans. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Tarrant County College District generally make around $32,315. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
South Texas College landed the #6 spot for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting value this year. South Texas College is a very large public school located in the city of McAllen. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,920, with out-of-state students paying around $7,620. Students borrow a median of $6,500 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $37,432. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Texas A And M International University landed the #7 spot for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting value this year. Located in the city of Laredo, Texas A And M International University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,894, while out-of-state students pay about $19,454. Students borrow a median of $15,500 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Texas A And M International University earn a median of $38,668 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Texas A And M International University admits about 44% of applicants.
El Paso Community College earned the #8 position for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. El Paso Community College is a very large public school located in the city of El Paso. In-state tuition and fees average $3,274, compared with $5,314 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $6,084. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $25,846. That is a strong return on a $6,084 median debt.
El Centro College landed the #9 spot for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting value this year. Located in the city of Dallas, El Centro College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,730, compared with $6,900 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $13,727. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from El Centro College generally make around $36,386. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lamar State College Orange placed #10 among the best values for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. Located in the town of Orange, Lamar State College Orange is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,832, with out-of-state students paying around $13,824. Students borrow a median of $18,506 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $45,299. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The University Of Texas At Brownsville placed #11 among the best values for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. The University Of Texas At Brownsville is a large public school located in the city of Brownsville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,148, compared with $4,948 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $8,000. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Brownsville generally make around $25,923. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Wharton County Junior College came in at #12 for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Set in the town of Wharton, Wharton County Junior College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,192, while out-of-state students pay about $5,904. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $8,753 in student loans. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $55,919. Set against $8,753 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The University Of Texas Pan American earned the #13 position for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public school located in the city of Edinburg. In-state tuition and fees average $9,799, with out-of-state students paying around $19,645. Students borrow a median of $11,644 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $35,314. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Texas Pan American admits about 94% of applicants.
Midland College placed #14 among the best values for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. Located in the city of Midland, Midland College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,180, with out-of-state students paying around $6,180. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $9,000 in student loans. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $43,454. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Brazosport College earned the #15 position for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Brazosport College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Lake Jackson. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,388, with out-of-state students paying around $4,711. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $6,625 in student loans. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Brazosport College generally make around $32,746. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Amarillo College placed #16 among the best values for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. Set in the city of Amarillo, Amarillo College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,136, with out-of-state students paying around $4,704. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $16,624 in student loans. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Amarillo College generally make around $42,434. Set against $16,624 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
San Antonio College came in at #17 for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Located in the city of San Antonio, San Antonio College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,412, while out-of-state students pay about $9,952. Students borrow a median of $13,003 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from San Antonio College generally make around $43,712. Set against $13,003 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Central New Mexico Community College landed the #18 spot for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting value this year. Set in the city of Albuquerque, Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,060, compared with $8,684 for out-of-state students. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $10,112 in student loans. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $35,865. That is a strong return on a $10,112 median debt.
Mclennan Community College earned the #19 position for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Set in the city of Waco, Mclennan Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,660, with out-of-state students paying around $5,910. Students borrow a median of $11,953 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Mclennan Community College earn a median of $35,077 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,953 median debt.
Eastern New Mexico University Roswell Campus earned the #20 position for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Set in the town of Roswell, Eastern New Mexico University Roswell Campus is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,256, compared with $5,616 for out-of-state students. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $11,110 in student loans. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $21,129. Set against $11,110 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Laredo Community College landed the #21 spot for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting value this year. Laredo Community College is a large public school located in the city of Laredo. In-state tuition and fees average $3,300, compared with $5,748 for out-of-state students. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $6,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Laredo Community College generally make around $48,194. Set against $6,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus landed the #22 spot for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting value this year. Located in the town of Portales, Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,074, while out-of-state students pay about $9,054. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $17,912. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus generally make around $31,599. That is a strong return on a $17,912 median debt. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Northern Oklahoma College landed the #23 spot for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting value this year. Set in the rural area of Tonkawa, Northern Oklahoma College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,083, while out-of-state students pay about $11,848. Students borrow a median of $13,093 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Northern Oklahoma College earn a median of $40,565 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,093 median debt.
Houston Community College placed #24 among the best values for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. Set in the city of Houston, Houston Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,040, compared with $5,460 for out-of-state students. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $13,925 in student loans. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Houston Community College earn a median of $55,488 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
San Juan College earned the #25 position for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Set in the rural area of Farmington, San Juan College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,910 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,393 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $8,768. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from San Juan College generally make around $49,243. Set against $8,768 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting:
Narrow Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting Schools by State
More Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting Rankings
View All Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 155 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 155 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
