2027 Best Value Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting Schools in Iowa
[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.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 21 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 Iowa
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
Our analysis ranked Hawkeye Community College the best value for a degree in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting in Iowa. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $6,612. 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. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Western Iowa Tech Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting, landing the #2 spot this year. Western Iowa Tech Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Sioux City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,186, compared with $5,330 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $11,500. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Western Iowa Tech Community College earn a median of $43,547 early in their careers. Set against $11,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Iowa Central Community College came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. Set in the town of Fort Dodge, Iowa Central Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,496, with out-of-state students paying around $7,788. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $14,473 in student loans. 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.
Kirkwood Community College came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. Kirkwood Community College is a large public school located in the city of Cedar Rapids. In-state tuition and fees average $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. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $41,681. That is a strong return on a $15,779 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Des Moines Area Community College earned it the #5 place for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. Des Moines Area Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Ankeny. In-state tuition and fees average $5,790, while out-of-state students pay about $6,690. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $12,534 in student loans. 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.
Indian Hills Community College came in at #6 for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Located in the town of Ottumwa, Indian Hills Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,040, compared with $6,120 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $15,390. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Indian Hills Community College earn a median of $49,626 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Northern Iowa earned the #7 position for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. University Of Northern Iowa is a large public school located in the city of Cedar Falls. Students from in state pay about $9,936 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,712 for out-of-state students. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from University Of Northern Iowa generally make around $43,748. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Northern Iowa admits about 93% of applicants.
Iowa State University landed the #8 spot for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting value this year. Located in the city of Ames, Iowa State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,787, while out-of-state students pay about $28,881. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Iowa State University generally make around $41,624. That is a strong return on a $23,250 median debt. Iowa State University admits about 89% of applicants.
Eastern Iowa Community College District came in at #9 for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Set in the city of Davenport, Eastern Iowa Community College District is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,848 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,456. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $15,995 in student loans. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Eastern Iowa Community College District generally make around $41,510. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Iowa Western Community College placed #10 among the best values for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. Set in the suburb of Council Bluffs, Iowa Western Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,930, compared with $7,080 for out-of-state students. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $15,153 in student loans. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $43,444. Set against $15,153 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Graceland University Lamoni earned the #11 position for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Graceland University Lamoni is a small private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Lamoni. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $19,848. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $27,509. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $63,443. Set against $27,509 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Coe College placed #12 among the best values for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. Located in the city of Cedar Rapids, Coe College is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $54,666. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $26,900. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Coe College generally make around $44,511. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
Waldorf College placed #13 among the best values for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. Set in the rural area of Forest City, Waldorf College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $25,978 in tuition and fees. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $25,979 in student loans. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $51,180. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Waldorf College admits about 77% of applicants.
Buena Vista University earned the #14 position for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Buena Vista University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Storm Lake. In-state tuition and fees average $41,798. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $27,000. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Buena Vista University earn a median of $37,641 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Mount Mercy University placed #15 among the best values for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. Mount Mercy University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cedar Rapids. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $40,878. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $25,500 in student loans. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Mount Mercy University earn a median of $48,841 early in their careers. Set against $25,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Loras College came in at #16 for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Set in the city of Dubuque, Loras College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $39,824. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $47,413. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 100%.
Grand View University landed the #17 spot for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting value this year. Set in the city of Des Moines, Grand View University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $34,762. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $26,485 in student loans. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Grand View University earn a median of $45,175 early in their careers. Set against $26,485 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
Simpson College earned the #18 position for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Simpson College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Indianola. In-state tuition and fees average $47,656. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Simpson College generally make around $42,862. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
University Of Dubuque landed the #19 spot for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting value this year. University Of Dubuque is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Dubuque. In-state tuition and fees average $42,095. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of University Of Dubuque earn a median of $46,307 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Saint Ambrose University earned the #20 position for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Saint Ambrose University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Davenport. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $36,658. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $27,528 in student loans. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Saint Ambrose University generally make around $43,579. Set against $27,528 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
Morningside College ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. Set in the city of Sioux City, Morningside College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $39,519 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,281 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Morningside College generally make around $54,988. Set against $27,281 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 21 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 21 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.
