2026 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. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 229 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting students.
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2026 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
Pima Community College tops our 2026 list of the best value homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools in the Southwest Region. Pima Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Tucson. In-state tuition and fees average $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 $47,257. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #2 makes Texas A And M University Central Texas one of the best values 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. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $24,750. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Texas A And M University Central Texas generally make around $45,976. The acceptance rate is 100%.
A rank of #3 makes Texas A And M International University one of the best values for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. Located in the city of Laredo, Texas A And M International University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,894, while out-of-state students pay about $19,454. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $15,500. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $38,668. Set against $15,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 44% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at College Of The Mainland earned it the #4 place for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. Located in the city of Texas City, College Of The Mainland is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,310, compared with $4,140 for out-of-state students. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $10,928 in student loans. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from College Of The Mainland generally make around $48,704. That is a strong return on a $10,928 median debt.
A rank of #5 makes Del Mar College one of the best values for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. Del Mar College is a large public school located in the city of Corpus Christi. In-state tuition and fees average $3,500, compared with $6,050 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $6,250 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $40,661. That is a strong return on a $6,250 median debt.
Alvin Community College earned the #6 position for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Set in the suburb of Alvin, Alvin Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,906, with out-of-state students paying around $4,402. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $8,600. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Alvin Community College earn a median of $67,797 early in their careers. Set against $8,600 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
South Texas College came in at #7 for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Set in the city of McAllen, South Texas College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,920, compared with $7,620 for out-of-state students. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $6,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from South Texas College generally make around $37,432. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Central New Mexico Community College placed #8 among the best values for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. Set in the city of Albuquerque, Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,060 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,684 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $10,112. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Central New Mexico Community College earn a median of $35,865 early in their careers. Set against $10,112 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
El Paso Community College earned the #9 position for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Set in the city of El Paso, El Paso Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,274, with out-of-state students paying around $5,314. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $6,084. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from El Paso Community College generally make around $25,846. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
El Centro College earned the #10 position for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Set in the city of Dallas, El Centro College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,730, with out-of-state students paying around $6,900. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $13,727 in student loans. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of El Centro College earn a median of $36,386 early in their careers. Set against $13,727 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lamar State College Orange came in at #11 for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Lamar State College Orange is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Orange. In-state tuition and fees average $2,832, compared with $13,824 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,506 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Lamar State College Orange generally make around $45,299. That is a strong return on a $18,506 median debt.
San Juan College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. Located in the rural area of Farmington, San Juan College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,910, while out-of-state students pay about $5,393. Students borrow a median of $8,768 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of San Juan College earn a median of $49,243 early in their careers. Set against $8,768 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Laredo Community College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. Located in the city of Laredo, Laredo Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,300 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $5,748. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $6,000. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $48,194. That is a strong return on a $6,000 median debt.
Trinity Valley Community College landed the #14 spot for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting value this year. Located in the town of Athens, Trinity Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,640, with out-of-state students paying around $5,970. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $14,750. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Trinity Valley Community College generally make around $32,623. Set against $14,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Wharton County Junior College placed #15 among the best values for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. Wharton County Junior College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Wharton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,192, with out-of-state students paying around $5,904. Students borrow a median of $8,753 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $55,919. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Eastern New Mexico University Roswell Campus placed #16 among the best values for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. Set in the town of Roswell, Eastern New Mexico University Roswell Campus is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,256 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,616 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $11,110. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $21,129. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Grayson College landed the #17 spot for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting value this year. Grayson College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Denison. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,000, with out-of-state students paying around $6,300. Students borrow a median of $11,627 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Grayson College generally make around $42,487. That is a strong return on a $11,627 median debt.
New Mexico State University Dona Ana came in at #18 for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. New Mexico State University Dona Ana is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Las Cruces. Students from in state pay about $2,322 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,360. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $7,425. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of New Mexico State University Dona Ana earn a median of $27,638 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $7,425 median debt.
Tarrant County College District ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. Set in the city of Fort Worth, Tarrant County College District is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $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. Set against $16,262 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Oklahoma State University Oklahoma City placed #20 among the best values for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. Oklahoma State University Oklahoma City is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Oklahoma City. Students from in state pay about $3,779 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,564. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $16,375 in student loans. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $45,580. That is a strong return on a $16,375 median debt.
Central Texas College placed #21 among the best values for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. Located in the suburb of Killeen, Central Texas College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,750, compared with $7,500 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $10,521. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $39,465. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
San Antonio College landed the #22 spot for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting value this year. Located in the city of San Antonio, San Antonio College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,412, while out-of-state students pay about $9,952. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $13,003. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from San Antonio College generally make around $43,712. That is a strong return on a $13,003 median debt.
Amarillo College placed #23 among the best values for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. Amarillo College is a large public school located in the city of Amarillo. Students from in state pay about $2,136 in tuition and fees, compared with $4,704 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,624 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Amarillo College earn a median of $42,434 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,624 median debt.
Midland College landed the #24 spot for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting value this year. Set in the city of Midland, Midland College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,180, compared with $6,180 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,000 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $43,454. Set against $9,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mclennan Community College ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. Set in the city of Waco, Mclennan Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,660 in tuition and fees, 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. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Mclennan Community College generally make around $35,016. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
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:
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 229 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 83 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.
