2026 Best Value Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting Schools in the The Plains States Region
[Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting](/majors/protective-security-safety-services/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 195 schools to find the best return on investment for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting Schools in the The Plains States Region
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
Central Community College tops our 2026 list of the best value homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools in the The Plains States Region. Located in the city of Grand Island, Central Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,360, with out-of-state students paying around $4,800. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $10,277 in student loans. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Central Community College earn a median of $43,218 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,277 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Saint Louis Community College earned it the #2 place for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. Set in the suburb of Bridgeton, Saint Louis Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,660 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,990. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $6,625. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $38,999. That is a strong return on a $6,625 median debt.
A rank of #3 makes Metropolitan Community College Area one of the best values for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. Set in the city of Omaha, Metropolitan Community College Area is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,375, while out-of-state students pay about $4,950. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $13,462 in student loans. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $28,511. Set against $13,462 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #4 makes Hutchinson Community College one of the best values for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. Set in the town of Hutchinson, Hutchinson Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,540, with out-of-state students paying around $4,770. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $18,148 in student loans. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $51,007. That is a strong return on a $18,148 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting will find it at Jefferson College, which ranked #5. Jefferson College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Hillsboro. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,250, with out-of-state students paying around $8,850. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $13,664 in student loans. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $61,641. That is a strong return on a $13,664 median debt.
Western Iowa Tech Community College landed the #6 spot for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting value this year. Located in the city of Sioux City, Western Iowa Tech Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,186, while out-of-state students pay about $5,330. Students borrow a median of $11,500 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $43,547. That is a strong return on a $11,500 median debt.
Hawkeye Community College came in at #7 for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Set in the rural area of Waterloo, Hawkeye Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,525, compared with $6,612 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $11,000. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Hawkeye Community College earn a median of $49,572 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,000 median debt.
Northeast Community College came in at #8 for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Set in the town of Norfolk, Northeast Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,840, while out-of-state students pay about $5,130. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $9,000. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Northeast Community College generally make around $33,064. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Crowder College earned the #9 position for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Crowder College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Neosho. In-state tuition and fees average $4,104, compared with $5,784 for out-of-state students. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $9,887 in student loans. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $33,869. Set against $9,887 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Iowa Central Community College placed #10 among the best values for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. Iowa Central Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Fort Dodge. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,496, with out-of-state students paying around $7,788. Students borrow a median of $14,473 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Iowa Central Community College generally make around $39,121. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Metropolitan Community College Kansas City landed the #11 spot for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting value this year. Located in the city of Kansas City, Metropolitan Community College Kansas City is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,630, with out-of-state students paying around $9,600. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $5,182 in student loans. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $48,183. Set against $5,182 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Southeast Community College Area earned the #12 position for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Southeast Community College Area is a large public school located in the city of Lincoln. In-state tuition and fees average $3,444, compared with $4,032 for out-of-state students. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $14,552 in student loans. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $28,473. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Riverland Community College earned the #13 position for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Located in the town of Austin, Riverland Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,297. Students borrow a median of $15,732 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Riverland Community College generally make around $49,194. Set against $15,732 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Century College earned the #14 position for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Century College is a large public school located in the suburb of White Bear Lake. In-state tuition and fees average $6,214. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $19,366. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Century College earn a median of $54,174 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,366 median debt.
Ozarks Technical Community College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. Located in the city of Springfield, Ozarks Technical Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,256, while out-of-state students pay about $7,040. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $15,866. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Ozarks Technical Community College generally make around $36,644. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
North Iowa Area Community College earned the #16 position for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. North Iowa Area Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Mason City. Students from in state pay about $6,653 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,551. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $12,043 in student loans. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from North Iowa Area Community College generally make around $44,466. That is a strong return on a $12,043 median debt.
Kirkwood Community College ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. Located in the city of Cedar Rapids, Kirkwood Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,176, with out-of-state students paying around $8,220. Students borrow a median of $15,779 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Kirkwood Community College generally make around $41,681. That is a strong return on a $15,779 median debt.
North Hennepin Community College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. North Hennepin Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Brooklyn Park. Students from in state pay about $5,061 in tuition and fees. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $30,250 in student loans. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of North Hennepin Community College earn a median of $53,797 early in their careers. Set against $30,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Hibbing Community College A Technical And Community College earned the #19 position for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Set in the town of Hibbing, Hibbing Community College A Technical And Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,022 in tuition and fees. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $25,125 in student loans. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Hibbing Community College A Technical And Community College earn a median of $56,757 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of The Ozarks earned the #20 position for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Set in the town of Point Lookout, College Of The Ozarks is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $22,360. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from College Of The Ozarks generally make around $37,944. College Of The Ozarks admits about 12% of applicants.
Des Moines Area Community College landed the #21 spot for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting value this year. Des Moines Area Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Ankeny. Students from in state pay about $5,790 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,690 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,534 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Des Moines Area Community College generally make around $44,364. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Fond Du Lac Tribal And Community College earned the #22 position for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Fond Du Lac Tribal And Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Cloquet. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,006. Students borrow a median of $15,665 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Fond Du Lac Tribal And Community College earn a median of $51,144 early in their careers. Set against $15,665 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Eastern Iowa Community College District placed #23 among the best values for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. Eastern Iowa Community College District is a large public school located in the city of Davenport. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,848, compared with $6,456 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,995 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Eastern Iowa Community College District earn a median of $41,510 early in their careers. Set against $15,995 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Ridgewater College ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. Ridgewater College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Willmar. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,121. Students borrow a median of $15,556 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Ridgewater College generally make around $49,040. Set against $15,556 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Inver Hills Community College placed #25 among the best values for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. Inver Hills Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Inver Grove Heights. Students from in state pay about $6,146 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $23,690 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Inver Hills Community College earn a median of $52,724 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,690 median debt.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year:
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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 · 195 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 71 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.
