2026 Best Value Security Science And Technology Master’s Degree Schools
[Security Science And Technology](/majors/protective-security-safety-services/security-science-and-technology/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. 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.
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2026 Best Value Security Science And Technology Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in security science and technology, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Security Science And Technology Schools
For return on investment in security science and technology, no school beat Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice this year. Located in the city of New York, Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice is a large public university. 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 $70,714. Set against $14,475 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 57%.
California State University Los Angeles is a great value for students pursuing a degree in security science and technology, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,164 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,764 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,430 to complete the security science and technology program here. Soon after graduation, security science and technology degree recipients from California State University Los Angeles generally make around $66,598. That is a strong return on a $14,430 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Florida International University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value security science and technology schools. Located in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,565 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,964 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,349 to complete the security science and technology program here. Early-career security science and technology graduates make about $52,517. That is a strong return on a $19,349 median debt. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Florida State University earned it the #4 place for security science and technology. Located in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,517, compared with $21,683 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,693 to complete the security science and technology program here. Early-career security science and technology graduates make about $58,249. That is a strong return on a $20,693 median debt. The acceptance rate is 24%.
University Of Illinois At Chicago came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value security science and technology schools. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,949, compared with $32,009 for out-of-state students. Security Science And Technology graduates carry a median of $20,115 in student loans. Early-career security science and technology graduates make about $61,829. Set against $20,115 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
Marshall University placed #6 among the best values for security science and technology. Located in the city of Huntington, Marshall University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,162, compared with $20,342 for out-of-state students. Security Science And Technology graduates carry a median of $25,250 in student loans. Early-career security science and technology graduates make about $51,959. That is a strong return on a $25,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.
University Of The Cumberlands ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value security science and technology schools. Set in the town of Williamsburg, University Of The Cumberlands is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,875. Typical student debt for security science and technology graduates is $22,868. Soon after graduation, security science and technology degree recipients from University Of The Cumberlands generally make around $50,547. That is a strong return on a $22,868 median debt. The acceptance rate is 99%.
Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis came in at #8 for value in security science and technology this year. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public school located in the city of Indianapolis. Students from in state pay about $10,762 in tuition and fees, compared with $34,891 for out-of-state students. Security Science And Technology graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career security science and technology graduates make about $53,231. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis admits about 76% of applicants.
West Virginia University placed #9 among the best values for security science and technology. West Virginia University is a very large public school located in the city of Morgantown. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,104, compared with $28,608 for out-of-state students. Security Science And Technology graduates carry a median of $24,324 in student loans. Security Science And Technology graduates of West Virginia University earn a median of $74,438 early in their careers. Set against $24,324 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. West Virginia University admits about 89% of applicants.
Eastern Illinois University earned the #10 position for value in security science and technology this year. Eastern Illinois University is a large public school located in the town of Charleston. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,377, with out-of-state students paying around $15,859. Typical student debt for security science and technology graduates is $24,293. Early-career security science and technology graduates make about $43,603. That is a strong return on a $24,293 median debt. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.
Universidad Metropolitana placed #11 among the best values for security science and technology. Universidad Metropolitana is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of San Juan. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,750. Students borrow a median of $15,074 to complete the security science and technology program here. Security Science And Technology graduates of Universidad Metropolitana earn a median of $26,716 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,074 median debt.
Universidad Del Turabo placed #12 among the best values for security science and technology. Located in the suburb of Gurabo, Universidad Del Turabo is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $7,750 in tuition and fees. Security Science And Technology graduates carry a median of $14,155 in student loans. Security Science And Technology graduates of Universidad Del Turabo earn a median of $31,188 early in their careers. Set against $14,155 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Maryland University College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value security science and technology schools. University Of Maryland University College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Adelphi. In-state tuition and fees average $8,136, compared with $12,336 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for security science and technology graduates is $29,200. Security Science And Technology graduates of University Of Maryland University College earn a median of $101,880 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $29,200 median debt.
University Of California Davis placed #14 among the best values for security science and technology. Set in the suburb of Davis, University Of California Davis is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,804, compared with $47,692 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,404 to complete the security science and technology program here. Security Science And Technology graduates of University Of California Davis earn a median of $65,299 early in their careers. Set against $14,404 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 42%.
University Of Arizona earned the #15 position for value in security science and technology this year. University Of Arizona is a very large public school located in the city of Tucson. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,573, compared with $39,903 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,861 to complete the security science and technology program here. Early-career security science and technology graduates make about $50,834. That is a strong return on a $21,861 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
University Of Phoenix Arizona placed #16 among the best values for security science and technology. Set in the city of Phoenix, University Of Phoenix Arizona is a very large private for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,552. Typical student debt for security science and technology graduates is $35,323. Early-career security science and technology graduates make about $60,453. Set against $35,323 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Kennesaw State University ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value security science and technology schools. Kennesaw State University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Kennesaw. Students from in state pay about $5,808 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,736. Security Science And Technology graduates carry a median of $27,004 in student loans. Security Science And Technology graduates of Kennesaw State University earn a median of $53,824 early in their careers. Set against $27,004 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.
George Mason University earned the #18 position for value in security science and technology this year. Located in the suburb of Fairfax, George Mason University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $14,220 in tuition and fees, compared with $38,688 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,747 to complete the security science and technology program here. Early-career security science and technology graduates make about $70,427. That is a strong return on a $25,747 median debt. George Mason University admits about 88% of applicants.
Towson University landed the #19 spot for security science and technology value this year. Set in the city of Towson, Towson University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,728, while out-of-state students pay about $29,820. Typical student debt for security science and technology graduates is $21,241. Security Science And Technology graduates of Towson University earn a median of $52,989 early in their careers. Set against $21,241 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Saint Josephs College New York came in at #20 for value in security science and technology this year. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Saint Josephs College New York is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $36,550. Typical student debt for security science and technology graduates is $25,485. Early-career security science and technology graduates make about $49,214. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Saint Josephs College New York admits about 72% of applicants.
University Of Alabama At Birmingham came in at #21 for value in security science and technology this year. Set in the city of Birmingham, University Of Alabama At Birmingham is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,098 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,562 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,162 to complete the security science and technology program here. Soon after graduation, security science and technology degree recipients from University Of Alabama At Birmingham generally make around $55,413. That is a strong return on a $26,162 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Baltimore came in at #22 for value in security science and technology this year. Located in the city of Baltimore, University Of Baltimore is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,992, with out-of-state students paying around $23,984. Security Science And Technology graduates carry a median of $29,681 in student loans. Soon after graduation, security science and technology degree recipients from University Of Baltimore generally make around $58,511. Set against $29,681 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Baltimore admits about 79% of applicants.
Boise State University earned the #23 position for value in security science and technology this year. Set in the city of Boise, Boise State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,048 in tuition and fees, compared with $27,788 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for security science and technology graduates is $24,311. Soon after graduation, security science and technology degree recipients from Boise State University generally make around $49,059. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 87%.
Virginia Commonwealth University came in at #24 for value in security science and technology this year. Located in the city of Richmond, Virginia Commonwealth University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $16,720, with out-of-state students paying around $39,884. Security Science And Technology graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Security Science And Technology graduates of Virginia Commonwealth University earn a median of $48,668 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Texas Tech University placed #25 among the best values for security science and technology. Located in the city of Lubbock, Texas Tech University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,852, with out-of-state students paying around $24,157. Typical student debt for security science and technology graduates is $24,271. Soon after graduation, security science and technology degree recipients from Texas Tech University generally make around $50,332. Set against $24,271 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 73%.
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:
Other Security Science And Technology Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Security Science And Technology rankings across degree levels:
View All Security Science And Technology Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 524 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 37 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.
