2027 Best Value Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting Schools in Missouri
[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.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 25 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 Missouri
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
Saint Louis Community College earned the #1 spot for value among homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools in Missouri. Saint Louis Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Bridgeton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,660, compared with $6,990 for out-of-state students. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $6,625 in student loans. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Saint Louis Community College generally make around $38,999. That is a strong return on a $6,625 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Jefferson College earned it the #2 place for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. Located in the rural area of Hillsboro, Jefferson College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,250, while out-of-state students pay about $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. Set against $13,664 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Ozarks Technical Community College earned it the #3 place for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. Set in the city of Springfield, Ozarks Technical Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,256, compared with $7,040 for out-of-state students. 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.
Metropolitan Community College Kansas City is a great value for students pursuing a degree in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Kansas City, Metropolitan Community College Kansas City is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,630, compared with $9,600 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $5,182 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Metropolitan Community College Kansas City earn a median of $48,171 early in their careers. Set against $5,182 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Crowder College came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. Located in the town of Neosho, Crowder College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,104, with out-of-state students paying around $5,784. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Truman State University placed #6 among the best values for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. Located in the town of Kirksville, Truman State University is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $9,838 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,566. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $21,997 in student loans. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $32,176. That is a strong return on a $21,997 median debt. Truman State University admits about 84% of applicants.
Mineral Area College placed #7 among the best values for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. Mineral Area College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Park Hills. In-state tuition and fees average $5,660, with out-of-state students paying around $8,570. Students borrow a median of $9,500 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Mineral Area College earn a median of $45,217 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,500 median debt.
Drury University College Of Continuing Professional Studies landed the #8 spot for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting value this year. Set in the city of Springfield, Drury University College Of Continuing Professional Studies is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $8,054 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $21,133 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Drury University College Of Continuing Professional Studies earn a median of $39,646 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,133 median debt.
Missouri Southern State University landed the #9 spot for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting value this year. Set in the city of Joplin, Missouri Southern State University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,600, with out-of-state students paying around $18,300. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $21,972 in student loans. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $32,776. Set against $21,972 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Missouri Southern State University admits about 97% of applicants.
Harris Stowe State University earned the #10 position for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Set in the city of Saint Louis, Harris Stowe State University is a small public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,008, while out-of-state students pay about $11,640. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $32,000 in student loans. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $34,108. That is a strong return on a $32,000 median debt.
University Of Central Missouri earned the #11 position for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Set in the town of Warrensburg, University Of Central Missouri is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,050, with out-of-state students paying around $18,600. Students borrow a median of $23,279 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of University Of Central Missouri earn a median of $41,494 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,279 median debt. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
Missouri Western State University earned the #12 position for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Missouri Western State University is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Saint Joseph. Students from in state pay about $9,545 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,455. Students borrow a median of $20,149 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Missouri Western State University generally make around $39,808. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Southeast Missouri State University ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. Southeast Missouri State University is a large public school located in the city of Cape Girardeau. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,903. Students borrow a median of $26,625 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Southeast Missouri State University generally make around $36,537. Set against $26,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Southeast Missouri State University admits about 74% of applicants.
Missouri State University Springfield landed the #14 spot for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting value this year. Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public school located in the city of Springfield. Students from in state pay about $9,502 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,770. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $24,408 in student loans. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $46,503. That is a strong return on a $24,408 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Central Methodist University College Of Graduate And Extended Studies landed the #15 spot for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting value this year. Set in the rural area of Fayette, Central Methodist University College Of Graduate And Extended Studies is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,500. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Central Methodist University College Of Graduate And Extended Studies generally make around $36,223. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Missouri Valley College placed #16 among the best values for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. Missouri Valley College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Marshall. Students from in state pay about $23,700 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Missouri Valley College generally make around $44,318. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 69%.
Lindenwood University earned the #17 position for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Lindenwood University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Saint Charles. In-state tuition and fees average $21,600. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $36,253. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 57%.
Park University came in at #18 for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Set in the suburb of Parkville, Park University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,116. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $18,299 in student loans. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Park University generally make around $49,305. Set against $18,299 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lincoln University Missouri came in at #19 for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Lincoln University Missouri is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Jefferson City. In-state tuition and fees average $9,796, compared with $17,692 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $37,171. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Lincoln University Missouri generally make around $32,331. Set against $37,171 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Culver Stockton College ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. Located in the rural area of Canton, Culver Stockton College is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $30,875 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Culver Stockton College generally make around $33,394. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Culver Stockton College admits about 99% of applicants.
Columbia College Missouri earned the #21 position for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Located in the city of Columbia, Columbia College Missouri is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,276. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $27,344 in student loans. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Columbia College Missouri generally make around $46,741. Set against $27,344 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Central Methodist University College Of Liberal Arts And Sciences landed the #22 spot for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting value this year. Central Methodist University College Of Liberal Arts And Sciences is a small private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Fayette. Students from in state pay about $28,620 in tuition and fees. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Central Methodist University College Of Liberal Arts And Sciences generally make around $36,223. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
Saint Louis University Main Campus placed #23 among the best values for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. Located in the city of Saint Louis, Saint Louis University Main Campus is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $55,760. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $23,694 in student loans. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Saint Louis University Main Campus earn a median of $45,709 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,694 median debt. The acceptance rate is 75%.
Rockhurst University landed the #24 spot for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting value this year. Located in the city of Kansas City, Rockhurst University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $44,966. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $24,111 in student loans. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $70,849. That is a strong return on a $24,111 median debt. Rockhurst University admits about 70% of applicants.
Webster University earned the #25 position for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Set in the suburb of Saint Louis, Webster University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $31,750. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $25,939. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Webster University generally make around $87,550. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 25 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 25 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.
