2026 Best Value Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting Schools in Arizona
[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 32 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools.
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2026 Best Value Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting Schools in Arizona
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 Pima Community College this year. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $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. That is a strong return on a $7,562 median debt.
Yavapai College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. Set in the city of Prescott, Yavapai College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,948 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,486 for out-of-state students. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $17,625 in student loans. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Yavapai College earn a median of $59,511 early in their careers. Set against $17,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting will find it at Rio Salado College, which ranked #3. Rio Salado College is a very large public school located in the city of Tempe. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,358, with out-of-state students paying around $8,958. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $11,500. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Rio Salado College generally make around $51,384. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Central Arizona College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. Central Arizona College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Coolidge. Students from in state pay about $2,250 in tuition and fees, compared with $4,500 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,635 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Central Arizona College generally make around $48,826. Set against $11,635 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting will find it at Cochise College, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Sierra Vista, Cochise College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,280 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,120. Students borrow a median of $12,013 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Cochise College generally make around $40,712. That is a strong return on a $12,013 median debt.
Arizona Western College landed the #6 spot for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting value this year. Arizona Western College is a large public school located in the city of Yuma. Students from in state pay about $3,060 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,870. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Arizona Western College earn a median of $44,895 early in their careers.
Phoenix College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. Set in the city of Phoenix, Phoenix College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,358, while out-of-state students pay about $8,959. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $15,204 in student loans. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $51,053. Set against $15,204 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Glendale Community College Glendale Az ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. Located in the suburb of Glendale, Glendale Community College Glendale Az is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,358, with out-of-state students paying around $8,959. Students borrow a median of $15,996 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $51,483. That is a strong return on a $15,996 median debt.
South Mountain Community College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. Located in the city of Phoenix, South Mountain Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,358, with out-of-state students paying around $8,958. Graduates go on to earn a median of $39,825 ten years after entry.
Chandler Gilbert Community College came in at #10 for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Located in the city of Chandler, Chandler Gilbert Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,358, while out-of-state students pay about $8,959. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $10,447. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Chandler Gilbert Community College earn a median of $46,943 early in their careers. Set against $10,447 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Estrella Mountain Community College landed the #11 spot for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting value this year. Set in the suburb of Avondale, Estrella Mountain Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,358, with out-of-state students paying around $8,959. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $21,752. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $78,359. Set against $21,752 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Coconino Community College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. Located in the rural area of Flagstaff, Coconino Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,907, while out-of-state students pay about $9,987. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $16,011. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Coconino Community College generally make around $39,850. Set against $16,011 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mesa Community College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. Set in the city of Mesa, Mesa Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,358 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,959 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $13,750. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Mesa Community College generally make around $54,730. That is a strong return on a $13,750 median debt.
Paradise Valley Community College landed the #14 spot for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting value this year. Paradise Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Phoenix. In-state tuition and fees average $2,358, with out-of-state students paying around $8,959. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $14,204 in student loans. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $71,136. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Arizona State University came in at #15 for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Arizona State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tempe. In-state tuition and fees average $12,223, compared with $33,139 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $21,943. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Arizona State University generally make around $53,745. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Arizona State University admits about 90% of applicants.
University Of Phoenix Arizona earned the #16 position for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. University Of Phoenix Arizona is a very large private for-profit school located in the city of Phoenix. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,552. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $36,117 in student loans. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from University Of Phoenix Arizona generally make around $46,337. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Scottsdale Community College came in at #17 for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Located in the rural area of Scottsdale, Scottsdale Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,358, with out-of-state students paying around $8,959. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $13,084 in student loans. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Scottsdale Community College earn a median of $48,039 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,084 median debt.
Northern Arizona University earned the #18 position for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Set in the city of Flagstaff, Northern Arizona University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,619, with out-of-state students paying around $20,044. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $21,645 in student loans. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $47,056. Set against $21,645 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Northern Arizona University admits about 90% of applicants.
American Intercontinental University Online landed the #19 spot for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting value this year. Set in the city of Chandler, American Intercontinental University Online is a very large private for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $12,397 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $37,625 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of American Intercontinental University Online earn a median of $32,231 early in their careers. Set against $37,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Arizona ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. University Of Arizona is a very large public school located in the city of Tucson. In-state tuition and fees average $13,573, while out-of-state students pay about $39,903. Students borrow a median of $20,312 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $34,103. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
University Of Advancing Technology came in at #21 for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Located in the city of Tempe, University Of Advancing Technology is a small private for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $18,800. Students borrow a median of $29,802 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of University Of Advancing Technology earn a median of $40,489 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Advancing Technology admits about 98% of applicants.
Grand Canyon University came in at #22 for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Set in the city of Phoenix, Grand Canyon University is a very large private for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $18,508. Students borrow a median of $27,115 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $45,903. Set against $27,115 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 79%.
Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Prescott placed #23 among the best values for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. Located in the city of Prescott, Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Prescott is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $43,974. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $74,905. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Prescott admits about 77% of applicants.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 32 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 10 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.
