[Security Science And Technology](/majors/protective-security-safety-services/security-science-and-technology/) 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.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 524 schools to find the best return on investment for security science and technology students.
Finding the Best Value Security Science And Technology School for You
The security science and technology program you select can have a big impact on your finances and your future. That is why we developed our Best Value Security Science And Technology Schools ranking. It weighs the cost of a degree against the outcomes graduates go on to achieve, so you can find the strongest return on your investment.
We offer a number of rankings, including this Best Value Security Science And Technology Schools list, to help you decide. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
Leading the list is Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice, our #1 best value for security science and technology in the United States. Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice is a large public school located in the city of New York. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,470, while out-of-state students pay about $15,420. Security Science And Technology graduates carry a median of $14,475 in student loans. Soon after graduation, security science and technology degree recipients from Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice generally make around $57,403. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
Grossmont College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in security science and technology, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the suburb of El Cajon, Grossmont College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,332, compared with $10,628 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $40,309.
Moreno Valley College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in security science and technology, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Moreno Valley, Moreno Valley College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,428, while out-of-state students pay about $12,498. Students borrow a median of $12,643 to complete the security science and technology program here. Security Science And Technology graduates of Moreno Valley College earn a median of $45,515 early in their careers. Set against $12,643 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
California State University Los Angeles came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value security science and technology schools. Set in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,164, with out-of-state students paying around $19,764. Security Science And Technology graduates carry a median of $14,430 in student loans. Security Science And Technology graduates of California State University Los Angeles earn a median of $66,598 early in their careers. Set against $14,430 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Hillsborough Community College earned it the #5 place for security science and technology. Hillsborough Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Tampa. In-state tuition and fees average $2,491, compared with $9,088 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for security science and technology graduates is $16,142. Early-career security science and technology graduates make about $44,101. That is a strong return on a $16,142 median debt.
Washtenaw Community College landed the #6 spot for security science and technology value this year. Set in the suburb of Ann Arbor, Washtenaw Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,736, with out-of-state students paying around $6,504. Students borrow a median of $17,616 to complete the security science and technology program here. Security Science And Technology graduates of Washtenaw Community College earn a median of $45,332 early in their careers. Set against $17,616 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
St Petersburg College placed #7 among the best values for security science and technology. St Petersburg College is a very large public school located in the city of St. Petersburg. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,682, with out-of-state students paying around $9,286. Typical student debt for security science and technology graduates is $24,385. Soon after graduation, security science and technology degree recipients from St Petersburg College generally make around $48,218. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
California State University San Bernardino landed the #8 spot for security science and technology value this year. Located in the city of San Bernardino, California State University San Bernardino is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,088, while out-of-state students pay about $20,688. Typical student debt for security science and technology graduates is $15,149. Soon after graduation, security science and technology degree recipients from California State University San Bernardino generally make around $42,421. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Central Carolina Community College came in at #9 for value in security science and technology this year. Set in the town of Sanford, Central Carolina Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,711 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,855. Students borrow a median of $10,266 to complete the security science and technology program here. Soon after graduation, security science and technology degree recipients from Central Carolina Community College generally make around $38,198. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Chattahoochee Technical College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value security science and technology schools. Chattahoochee Technical College is a large public school located in the suburb of Marietta. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,540, with out-of-state students paying around $6,108. Typical student debt for security science and technology graduates is $9,616. Early-career security science and technology graduates make about $44,673. That is a strong return on a $9,616 median debt.
Norco College earned the #11 position for value in security science and technology this year. Set in the suburb of Norco, Norco College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,428, while out-of-state students pay about $12,498. Students borrow a median of $8,203 to complete the security science and technology program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $51,206. That is a strong return on a $8,203 median debt.
Riverside City College placed #12 among the best values for security science and technology. Riverside City College is a very large public school located in the city of Riverside. In-state tuition and fees average $1,428, with out-of-state students paying around $12,498. Students borrow a median of $8,767 to complete the security science and technology program here. Soon after graduation, security science and technology degree recipients from Riverside City College generally make around $37,102. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Miami Dade College landed the #13 spot for security science and technology value this year. Set in the city of Miami, Miami Dade College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,838, compared with $9,661 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,967 to complete the security science and technology program here. Soon after graduation, security science and technology degree recipients from Miami Dade College generally make around $40,267. That is a strong return on a $11,967 median debt.
Harper College placed #14 among the best values for security science and technology. Harper College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Palatine. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,894, compared with $11,874 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,963 to complete the security science and technology program here. Soon after graduation, security science and technology degree recipients from Harper College generally make around $44,523. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
West Georgia Technical College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value security science and technology schools. Located in the rural area of Waco, West Georgia Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,410, compared with $5,978 for out-of-state students. Security Science And Technology graduates carry a median of $12,651 in student loans. Soon after graduation, security science and technology degree recipients from West Georgia Technical College generally make around $39,922. That is a strong return on a $12,651 median debt.
Long Beach City College earned the #16 position for value in security science and technology this year. Long Beach City College is a very large public school located in the city of Long Beach. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,556, compared with $12,544 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for security science and technology graduates is $6,000. Graduates go on to earn a median of $38,870 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Fayetteville Technical Community College came in at #17 for value in security science and technology this year. Set in the city of Fayetteville, Fayetteville Technical Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,628, with out-of-state students paying around $8,772. Students borrow a median of $16,909 to complete the security science and technology program here. Early-career security science and technology graduates make about $40,584. Set against $16,909 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Eastern Florida State College came in at #18 for value in security science and technology this year. Set in the city of Melbourne, Eastern Florida State College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,791, compared with $10,976 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,123 to complete the security science and technology program here. Early-career security science and technology graduates make about $44,690. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Southern Crescent Technical College landed the #19 spot for security science and technology value this year. Located in the town of Griffin, Southern Crescent Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,516, with out-of-state students paying around $6,084. Students borrow a median of $17,619 to complete the security science and technology program here. Soon after graduation, security science and technology degree recipients from Southern Crescent Technical College generally make around $45,062. That is a strong return on a $17,619 median debt.
College Of Southern Nevada ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value security science and technology schools. Located in the city of Las Vegas, College Of Southern Nevada is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,358, with out-of-state students paying around $13,024. Security Science And Technology graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. Early-career security science and technology graduates make about $29,354. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Wake Technical Community College ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value security science and technology schools. Located in the suburb of Raleigh, Wake Technical Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,254, while out-of-state students pay about $6,862. Security Science And Technology graduates carry a median of $17,900 in student loans. Early-career security science and technology graduates make about $38,673. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Sinclair Community College earned the #22 position for value in security science and technology this year. Located in the city of Dayton, Sinclair Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,675 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,556. Students borrow a median of $12,525 to complete the security science and technology program here. Soon after graduation, security science and technology degree recipients from Sinclair Community College generally make around $35,348. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
South Piedmont Community College ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value security science and technology schools. South Piedmont Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Polkton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,022, while out-of-state students pay about $6,630. Students borrow a median of $10,098 to complete the security science and technology program here. Soon after graduation, security science and technology degree recipients from South Piedmont Community College generally make around $39,321. Set against $10,098 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Farmingdale State College placed #24 among the best values for security science and technology. Set in the suburb of Farmingdale, Farmingdale State College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,626, compared with $18,536 for out-of-state students. Security Science And Technology graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Early-career security science and technology graduates make about $38,789. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 63%.
Forsyth Technical Community College landed the #25 spot for security science and technology value this year. Forsyth Technical Community College is a large public school located in the city of Winston-Salem. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,276, with out-of-state students paying around $6,884. Security Science And Technology graduates carry a median of $16,374 in student loans. Early-career security science and technology graduates make about $38,094. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Security Science And Technology Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s security science and technology value ranking:
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 · 524 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 105 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).
[Security Science And Technology](/majors/protective-security-safety-services/security-science-and-technology/) 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.
