2026 Best Value Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting Schools in Texas
[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.
College Factual analyzed 123 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 Texas
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting Schools
For return on investment in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting, no school beat Texas A And M University Central Texas this year. 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. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Texas A And M University Central Texas earn a median of $45,976 early in their careers. Texas A And M University Central Texas admits about 100% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Texas A And M International University earned it the #2 place for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. Set in the city of Laredo, Texas A And M International University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,894, compared with $19,454 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $15,500. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Texas A And M International University generally make around $38,668. That is a strong return on a $15,500 median debt. Roughly 44% of applicants are accepted.
College Of The Mainland is a great value for students pursuing a degree in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting, landing the #3 spot this year. College Of The Mainland is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Texas City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,310, with out-of-state students paying around $4,140. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $10,928. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of College Of The Mainland earn a median of $48,704 early in their careers. Set against $10,928 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Del Mar College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting, landing the #4 spot this year. Del Mar College is a large public school located in the city of Corpus Christi. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting will find it at Alvin Community College, which ranked #5. Located in the suburb of Alvin, Alvin Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,906, compared with $4,402 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,600 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Alvin Community College earn a median of $67,797 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
South Texas College placed #6 among the best values for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. South Texas College is a very large public school located in the city of McAllen. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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.
Lamar State College Orange placed #7 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. Students from in state pay about $2,832 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $13,824. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $18,506 in student loans. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $45,299. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
El Centro College placed #8 among the best values for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. Located in the city of Dallas, El Centro College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,730, while out-of-state students pay about $6,900. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $13,727 in student loans. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $36,386. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
El Paso Community College placed #9 among the best values for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. El Paso Community College is a very large public school located in the city of El Paso. Students from in state pay about $3,274 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,314 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $6,084 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. 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.
Laredo Community College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. Laredo Community College is a large public school located in the city of Laredo. In-state tuition and fees average $3,300, with out-of-state students paying around $5,748. Students borrow a median of $6,000 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. 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 came in at #11 for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Trinity Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Athens. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,640, compared with $5,970 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $14,750. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Trinity Valley Community College earn a median of $32,623 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,750 median debt.
Wharton County Junior College came in at #12 for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Wharton County Junior College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Wharton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,192, compared with $5,904 for out-of-state students. 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. That is a strong return on a $8,753 median debt.
Grayson College came in at #13 for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Set in the rural area of Denison, Grayson College is a moderately-sized public institution. 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. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Grayson College earn a median of $42,487 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Tarrant County College District landed the #14 spot for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting value this year. Located in the city of Fort Worth, Tarrant County College District is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,863, while out-of-state students pay about $8,370. Students borrow a median of $16,262 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Tarrant County College District earn a median of $32,315 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Central Texas College landed the #15 spot for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting value this year. Central Texas College is a large public school located in the suburb of Killeen. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,750, while out-of-state students pay about $7,500. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $10,521 in student loans. 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 earned the #16 position 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. Students from in state pay about $3,412 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,952 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $13,003. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $43,712. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Amarillo College earned the #17 position for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Set in the city of Amarillo, Amarillo College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,136, while out-of-state students pay about $4,704. Students borrow a median of $16,624 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. 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.
The University Of Texas Pan American placed #18 among the best values for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. Set in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,799, while out-of-state students pay about $19,645. Students borrow a median of $11,644 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of The University Of Texas Pan American earn a median of $35,314 early in their careers. Set against $11,644 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Mclennan Community College landed the #19 spot for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting value this year. Located in the city of Waco, Mclennan Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $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. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Mclennan Community College earn a median of $35,016 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Midland College earned the #20 position for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Set in the city of Midland, Midland College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,180, while out-of-state students pay about $6,180. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $9,000 in student loans. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Midland College earn a median of $43,454 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,000 median debt.
Austin Community College District came in at #21 for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Set in the city of Austin, Austin Community College District is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,550, while out-of-state students pay about $10,590. Students borrow a median of $15,918 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Austin Community College District generally make around $46,255. That is a strong return on a $15,918 median debt.
The University Of Texas At Brownsville placed #22 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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,148, with out-of-state students paying around $4,948. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $8,000 in student loans. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of The University Of Texas At Brownsville earn a median of $25,923 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,000 median debt.
Temple College landed the #23 spot for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting value this year. Set in the city of Temple, Temple College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,000, with out-of-state students paying around $7,524. Students borrow a median of $11,500 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Temple College generally make around $55,262. Set against $11,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
North Central Texas College came in at #24 for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Located in the town of Gainesville, North Central Texas College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,600, with out-of-state students paying around $5,739. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $15,965. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $43,536. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Houston Community College landed the #25 spot for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting value this year. 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. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Houston Community College earn a median of $55,538 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,925 median debt.
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), 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 · 123 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 56 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.
