2027 Best Value Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting Schools in the The Plains States Region
[Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting](/majors/protective-security-safety-services/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 117 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting students.
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2027 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
Our analysis ranked Central Community College the best value for a degree in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting in the The Plains States Region. Central Community College is a large public school located in the city of Grand Island. In-state tuition and fees average $3,360, compared with $4,800 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,277 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $43,218. Set against $10,277 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #2 makes Metropolitan Community College Area one of the best values for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. Metropolitan Community College Area is a very large public school located in the city of Omaha. In-state tuition and fees average $3,375, compared with $4,950 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $13,462. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $28,511. That is a strong return on a $13,462 median debt.
A rank of #3 makes Saint Louis Community College one of the best values for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. Saint Louis Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Bridgeton. Students from in state pay about $3,660 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,990. Students borrow a median of $6,625 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $38,999. 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 Hawkeye Community College, which ranked #4. Hawkeye Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Waterloo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,525, compared with $6,612 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Hawkeye Community College earn a median of $49,572 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Hutchinson Community College came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. 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, compared with $4,770 for out-of-state students. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $18,148 in student loans. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Hutchinson Community College earn a median of $51,007 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Riverland Community College landed the #6 spot for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting value this year. Riverland Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Austin. In-state tuition and fees average $6,297. Students borrow a median of $15,732 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $49,194. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Jefferson College ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. Located in the rural area of Hillsboro, Jefferson College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,250 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,850. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $13,664. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Jefferson College earn a median of $61,641 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,664 median debt.
Northeast Community College landed the #8 spot for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting value this year. Northeast Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Norfolk. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,840, compared with $5,130 for out-of-state students. 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 $33,064. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Garden City Community College placed #9 among the best values for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. Garden City Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Garden City. Students from in state pay about $3,690 in tuition and fees, compared with $4,320 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $11,084. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Garden City Community College generally make around $35,476. That is a strong return on a $11,084 median debt.
Western Iowa Tech Community College ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. Set in the city of Sioux City, Western Iowa Tech Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,186, compared with $5,330 for out-of-state students. 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. Set against $11,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Metropolitan Community College Kansas City came in at #11 for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Metropolitan Community College Kansas City is a large public school located in the city of Kansas City. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,630, while out-of-state students pay about $9,600. Students borrow a median of $5,182 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Metropolitan Community College Kansas City generally make around $48,171. That is a strong return on a $5,182 median debt.
Ozarks Technical Community College ranked #12 on our 2027 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, with out-of-state students paying around $7,040. Students borrow a median of $15,866 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Ozarks Technical Community College generally make around $36,644. Set against $15,866 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Iowa Central Community College landed the #13 spot for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting value this year. 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. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Iowa Central Community College earn a median of $39,121 early in their careers. Set against $14,473 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Ridgewater College landed the #14 spot for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting value this year. Ridgewater College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Willmar. In-state tuition and fees average $6,121. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $15,556. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Ridgewater College earn a median of $49,040 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,556 median debt.
Des Moines Area Community College landed the #15 spot for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting value this year. Set in the suburb of Ankeny, Des Moines Area Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,790, compared with $6,690 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $12,534. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Des Moines Area Community College generally make around $44,756. That is a strong return on a $12,534 median debt.
Hibbing Community College A Technical And Community College landed the #16 spot for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting value this year. Set in the town of Hibbing, Hibbing Community College A Technical And Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,022. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $25,125 in student loans. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Hibbing Community College A Technical And Community College generally make around $56,757. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Kirkwood Community College earned the #17 position for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Located in the city of Cedar Rapids, Kirkwood Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,176, while out-of-state students pay about $8,220. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $15,779 in student loans. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Kirkwood Community College earn a median of $41,681 early in their careers. Set against $15,779 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Southeast Community College Area ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. Set in the city of Lincoln, Southeast Community College Area is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,444, compared with $4,032 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,552 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Southeast Community College Area earn a median of $28,473 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Saint Marys University Of Minnesota placed #19 among the best values for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. Saint Marys University Of Minnesota is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Winona. In-state tuition and fees average $45,080. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $28,708 in student loans. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Saint Marys University Of Minnesota generally make around $64,894. Set against $28,708 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Hennepin Technical College ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. Located in the suburb of Brooklyn Park, Hennepin Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,940. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $19,854 in student loans. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Hennepin Technical College earn a median of $56,699 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,854 median debt.
Century College placed #21 among the best values for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. Set in the suburb of White Bear Lake, Century College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,214 in tuition and fees. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $19,366 in student loans. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $54,174. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Indian Hills Community College came in at #22 for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Set in the town of Ottumwa, Indian Hills Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,040, with out-of-state students paying around $6,120. Students borrow a median of $15,390 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $49,626. Set against $15,390 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Barton County Community College earned the #23 position for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Barton County Community College is a large public school located in the rural area of Great Bend. In-state tuition and fees average $3,680, with out-of-state students paying around $4,960. Students borrow a median of $14,792 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Barton County Community College earn a median of $44,536 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,792 median debt.
Crowder College landed the #24 spot for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting value this year. Located in the town of Neosho, Crowder College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,104 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $5,784. Students borrow a median of $9,887 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $33,869. That is a strong return on a $9,887 median debt.
Minnesota West Community And Technical College placed #25 among the best values for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. Set in the rural area of Granite Falls, Minnesota West Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,491 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $13,946 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Minnesota West Community And Technical College generally make around $43,009. That is a strong return on a $13,946 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 ranking is produced 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 · 117 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 117 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.
