2027 Best Value Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting Schools in Minnesota
[Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting](/majors/protective-security-safety-services/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting education at a price that pays off.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 31 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 Minnesota
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
For return on investment in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting, no school beat Ridgewater College this year. Ridgewater College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Willmar. Students from in state pay about $6,121 in tuition and fees. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $15,556 in student loans. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Ridgewater College earn a median of $49,040 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Riverland Community College came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. Located in the town of Austin, Riverland Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,297. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $15,732. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Riverland Community College earn a median of $49,194 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,732 median debt.
A rank of #3 makes Hibbing Community College A Technical And Community College one of the best values for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. Located in the town of Hibbing, Hibbing Community College A Technical And Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,022. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $25,125. 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. That is a strong return on a $25,125 median debt.
A rank of #4 makes Hennepin Technical College one of the best values for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. 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. Students borrow a median of $19,854 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $56,699. Set against $19,854 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #5 makes Century College one of the best values for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. Located in the suburb of White Bear Lake, Century College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,214. Students borrow a median of $19,366 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Century College generally make around $54,174. That is a strong return on a $19,366 median debt.
Saint Marys University Of Minnesota earned the #6 position for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Saint Marys University Of Minnesota is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Winona. Students from in state pay about $45,080 in tuition and fees. 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. That is a strong return on a $28,708 median debt. Saint Marys University Of Minnesota admits about 93% of applicants.
Minnesota West Community And Technical College ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. Located in the rural area of Granite Falls, Minnesota West Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $6,491 in tuition and fees. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $13,946 in student loans. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Minnesota West Community And Technical College earn a median of $43,009 early in their careers. Set against $13,946 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Inver Hills Community College landed the #8 spot for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting value this year. Inver Hills Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Inver Grove Heights. In-state tuition and fees average $6,146. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
North Hennepin Community College came in at #9 for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Set in the suburb of Brooklyn Park, North Hennepin Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,061. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $30,250. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from North Hennepin Community College generally make around $53,797. That is a strong return on a $30,250 median debt.
Normandale Community College placed #10 among the best values for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. Located in the city of Bloomington, Normandale Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,329 in tuition and fees. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $12,891 in student loans. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Normandale Community College earn a median of $53,871 early in their careers. Set against $12,891 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Minnesota State Community And Technical College earned the #11 position for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Located in the rural area of Fergus Falls, Minnesota State Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,908. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $18,197 in student loans. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $42,972. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Minnesota Crookston placed #12 among the best values for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. Located in the town of Crookston, University Of Minnesota Crookston is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,288. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $26,661. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $33,062. That is a strong return on a $26,661 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Saint Cloud State University placed #13 among the best values for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. Set in the city of Saint Cloud, Saint Cloud State University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,245 in tuition and fees. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Saint Cloud State University earn a median of $49,412 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
Fond Du Lac Tribal And Community College landed the #14 spot for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting value this year. Set in the town of Cloquet, Fond Du Lac Tribal And Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,006 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $15,665 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $51,144. Set against $15,665 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Alexandria Technical And Community College placed #15 among the best values for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. Alexandria Technical And Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Alexandria. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,236. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $15,400. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Alexandria Technical And Community College generally make around $50,433. That is a strong return on a $15,400 median debt.
Northland Community And Technical College came in at #16 for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Located in the town of Thief River Falls, Northland Community And Technical College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,289. Students borrow a median of $12,138 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $47,216. That is a strong return on a $12,138 median debt.
Minneapolis Community And Technical College earned the #17 position for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Located in the city of Minneapolis, Minneapolis Community And Technical College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,161. Students borrow a median of $30,000 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Minneapolis Community And Technical College earn a median of $50,959 early in their careers. Set against $30,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Bemidji State University came in at #18 for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Set in the town of Bemidji, Bemidji State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,237 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $23,181. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $49,617. That is a strong return on a $23,181 median debt. Roughly 56% of applicants are accepted.
Central Lakes College Brainerd placed #19 among the best values for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. Central Lakes College Brainerd is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Brainerd. In-state tuition and fees average $6,249. Students borrow a median of $14,479 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $44,264. Set against $14,479 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rochester Community And Technical College placed #20 among the best values for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. Set in the city of Rochester, Rochester Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,389 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $14,470 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Rochester Community And Technical College earn a median of $50,418 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Southwest Minnesota State University came in at #21 for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Southwest Minnesota State University is a large public school located in the town of Marshall. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,361. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Southwest Minnesota State University earn a median of $47,898 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 62%.
Lake Superior College placed #22 among the best values for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. Set in the city of Duluth, Lake Superior College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,785 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $17,156. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Lake Superior College earn a median of $42,543 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,156 median debt.
Metropolitan State University ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. Set in the city of Saint Paul, Metropolitan State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,840. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $31,213. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $52,125. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
Winona State University placed #24 among the best values for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. Located in the town of Winona, Winona State University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,576, while out-of-state students pay about $17,308. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $26,012 in student loans. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Winona State University generally make around $48,861. Set against $26,012 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Minnesota State College Southeast Technical earned the #25 position for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Minnesota State College Southeast Technical is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Winona. In-state tuition and fees average $6,432. Students borrow a median of $22,522 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Minnesota State College Southeast Technical earn a median of $50,290 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,522 median debt.
Rest of the Top 31 Best Value Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting:
More Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting Rankings
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 31 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 31 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.
