2027 Best Value Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting Schools in Texas
[Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting](/majors/protective-security-safety-services/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 91 schools to find the best return on investment for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting students.
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2027 Best Value Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting Schools in Texas
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
College Of The Mainland tops our 2027 list of the best value homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools in Texas. College Of The Mainland is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Texas City. Students from in state pay about $2,310 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $4,140. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $10,928. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from College Of The Mainland generally make around $48,704. 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. Located in the rural area of Killeen, Texas A And M University Central Texas is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $7,363 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,155 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $24,750. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $45,976. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Del Mar College earned it the #3 place for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. Located in the city of Corpus Christi, Del Mar College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,500, while out-of-state students pay about $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
South Texas College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of McAllen, South Texas College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,920 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,620. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $6,500 in student loans. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $37,432. That is a strong return on a $6,500 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at El Paso Community College earned it the #5 place for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. Set in the city of El Paso, El Paso Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,274 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,314. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $6,084. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of El Paso Community College earn a median of $25,846 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Tarrant County College District earned the #6 position for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Set in the city of Fort Worth, Tarrant County College District is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,863 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,370. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $16,262 in student loans. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Tarrant County College District earn a median of $32,315 early in their careers. Set against $16,262 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Texas A And M International University placed #7 among the best values for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. Set in the city of Laredo, Texas A And M International University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,894 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,454 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $15,500. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Texas A And M International University earn a median of $38,668 early in their careers. Set against $15,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Texas A And M International University admits about 44% of applicants.
Lamar State College Orange placed #8 among the best values for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. Set in the town of Orange, Lamar State College Orange is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,832, while out-of-state students pay about $13,824. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $18,506. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $45,299. That is a strong return on a $18,506 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. Students from in state pay about $2,730 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,900 for out-of-state students. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $13,727 in student loans. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from El Centro College generally make around $36,386. Set against $13,727 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The University Of Texas At Brownsville ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. Set in the city of Brownsville, The University Of Texas At Brownsville is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,148, while out-of-state students pay about $4,948. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $8,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Brownsville generally make around $25,923. That is a strong return on a $8,000 median debt.
Wharton County Junior College ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. Set in the town of Wharton, Wharton County Junior College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,192 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,904 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $8,753. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $55,919. That is a strong return on a $8,753 median debt.
The University Of Texas Pan American ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. Located in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,799, while out-of-state students pay about $19,645. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $11,644. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from The University Of Texas Pan American generally make around $35,314. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Midland College landed the #13 spot for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting value this year. 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. Set against $9,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Brazosport College came in at #14 for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Located in the suburb of Lake Jackson, Brazosport College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,388, compared with $4,711 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $6,625. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $32,746. That is a strong return on a $6,625 median debt.
Amarillo College earned the #15 position for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Located in the city of Amarillo, Amarillo College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,136 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $4,704. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $16,624. 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.
San Antonio College came in at #16 for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Set in the city of San Antonio, San Antonio College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,412 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,952. Students borrow a median of $13,003 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of San Antonio College earn a median of $43,712 early in their careers. Set against $13,003 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Laredo Community College placed #17 among the best values for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. Laredo Community College is a large public school located in the city of Laredo. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,300, compared with $5,748 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $6,000. 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.
Mclennan Community College came in at #18 for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Mclennan Community College is a large public school located in the city of Waco. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,660, with out-of-state students paying around $5,910. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $11,953 in student loans. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Mclennan Community College generally make around $35,077. Set against $11,953 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Houston Community College placed #19 among the best values for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. Located in the city of Houston, Houston Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,040 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,460. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $13,925. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Houston Community College generally make around $55,488. That is a strong return on a $13,925 median debt.
Coastal Bend College came in at #20 for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Coastal Bend College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Beeville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,916, compared with $5,226 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,609 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $35,086. Set against $14,609 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Grayson College earned the #21 position for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Grayson College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Denison. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,000, while out-of-state students pay about $6,300. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $11,627 in student loans. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $42,487. Set against $11,627 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Austin Community College District landed the #22 spot for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting value this year. Set in the city of Austin, Austin Community College District is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,550, compared with $10,590 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $15,918. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Austin Community College District earn a median of $46,368 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Odessa College ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. Odessa College is a large public school located in the city of Odessa. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,688, while out-of-state students pay about $4,926. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $9,087 in student loans. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $47,856. That is a strong return on a $9,087 median debt.
Kilgore College placed #24 among the best values for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. Kilgore College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Kilgore. Students from in state pay about $2,160 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,256 for out-of-state students. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $16,734 in student loans. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Kilgore College generally make around $44,322. That is a strong return on a $16,734 median debt.
South Plains College ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. Set in the town of Levelland, South Plains College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,733, with out-of-state students paying around $5,157. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $9,291 in student loans. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from South Plains College generally make around $49,987. 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
This list is compiled 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 · 91 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 91 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.
