2026 Best Value Crisis/Emergency/Disaster Management Schools in the Southeast Region
[Crisis/Emergency/Disaster Management](/majors/protective-security-safety-services/homeland-security/crisis-emergency-disaster-management/) 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.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 61 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for crisis/emergency/disaster management students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Crisis/Emergency/Disaster Management Schools in the Southeast Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the crisis/emergency/disaster management degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Crisis/Emergency/Disaster Management Schools
Leading the list is Wayne Community College, our #1 best value for crisis/emergency/disaster management in the Southeast Region. Set in the city of Goldsboro, Wayne Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,566, with out-of-state students paying around $8,710. Typical student debt for crisis/emergency/disaster management graduates is $5,500. Soon after graduation, crisis/emergency/disaster management degree recipients from Wayne Community College generally make around $33,116. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.
Fayetteville Technical Community College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value crisis/emergency/disaster management schools. 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. Typical student debt for crisis/emergency/disaster management graduates is $16,909. Soon after graduation, crisis/emergency/disaster management degree recipients from Fayetteville Technical Community College generally make around $40,584. That is a strong return on a $16,909 median debt.
A rank of #3 makes Caldwell Community College And Technical Institute one of the best values for crisis/emergency/disaster management. Caldwell Community College And Technical Institute is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Hudson. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,528, compared with $6,528 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,750 to complete the crisis/emergency/disaster management program here. Early-career crisis/emergency/disaster management graduates make about $44,734. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
American Public University System is a great value for students pursuing a degree in crisis/emergency/disaster management, landing the #4 spot this year. American Public University System is a very large private for-profit school located in the town of Charles Town. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,400. Students borrow a median of $16,339 to complete the crisis/emergency/disaster management program here. Crisis/emergency/disaster Management graduates of American Public University System earn a median of $69,808 early in their careers. Set against $16,339 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Florida International University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in crisis/emergency/disaster management, landing the #5 spot this year. Florida International University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Miami. Students from in state pay about $6,565 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,964. Typical student debt for crisis/emergency/disaster management graduates is $19,349. Crisis/emergency/disaster Management graduates of Florida International University earn a median of $78,638 early in their careers. Set against $19,349 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.
Elizabeth City State University landed the #6 spot for crisis/emergency/disaster management value this year. Set in the town of Elizabeth City, Elizabeth City State University is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,536, while out-of-state students pay about $10,536. Crisis/emergency/disaster Management graduates carry a median of $26,992 in student loans. Crisis/emergency/disaster Management graduates of Elizabeth City State University earn a median of $28,300 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Elizabeth City State University admits about 64% of applicants.
Palm Beach State College placed #7 among the best values for crisis/emergency/disaster management. Palm Beach State College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Lake Worth. Students from in state pay about $3,050 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,910. Students borrow a median of $12,518 to complete the crisis/emergency/disaster management program here. Early-career crisis/emergency/disaster management graduates make about $42,501. That is a strong return on a $12,518 median debt.
University Of Central Florida landed the #8 spot for crisis/emergency/disaster management value this year. Located in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,368 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,467. Students borrow a median of $21,620 to complete the crisis/emergency/disaster management program here. Early-career crisis/emergency/disaster management graduates make about $51,790. Set against $21,620 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 40%.
Savannah State University earned the #9 position for value in crisis/emergency/disaster management this year. Located in the city of Savannah, Savannah State University is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,750, while out-of-state students pay about $19,043. Crisis/emergency/disaster Management graduates carry a median of $31,576 in student loans. Soon after graduation, crisis/emergency/disaster management degree recipients from Savannah State University generally make around $34,489. Set against $31,576 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Western Kentucky University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value crisis/emergency/disaster management schools. Set in the city of Bowling Green, Western Kentucky University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,652 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $27,000. Crisis/emergency/disaster Management graduates carry a median of $24,499 in student loans. Early-career crisis/emergency/disaster management graduates make about $44,778. That is a strong return on a $24,499 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Eastern Kentucky University earned the #11 position for value in crisis/emergency/disaster management this year. Set in the town of Richmond, Eastern Kentucky University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,320 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,230 for out-of-state students. Crisis/emergency/disaster Management graduates carry a median of $28,343 in student loans. Crisis/emergency/disaster Management graduates of Eastern Kentucky University earn a median of $38,307 early in their careers. Set against $28,343 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Eastern Kentucky University admits about 78% of applicants.
Arkansas State University Main Campus ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value crisis/emergency/disaster management schools. Set in the city of Jonesboro, Arkansas State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,090, with out-of-state students paying around $14,522. Crisis/emergency/disaster Management graduates carry a median of $23,399 in student loans. Early-career crisis/emergency/disaster management graduates make about $72,464. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Tennessee Technological University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value crisis/emergency/disaster management schools. Tennessee Technological University is a large public school located in the town of Cookeville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,376, with out-of-state students paying around $15,576. Crisis/emergency/disaster Management graduates carry a median of $17,580 in student loans. Soon after graduation, crisis/emergency/disaster management degree recipients from Tennessee Technological University generally make around $46,981. That is a strong return on a $17,580 median debt. Tennessee Technological University admits about 76% of applicants.
Arkansas Tech University landed the #14 spot for crisis/emergency/disaster management value this year. Arkansas Tech University is a large public school located in the town of Russellville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,674, with out-of-state students paying around $14,668. Crisis/emergency/disaster Management graduates carry a median of $25,355 in student loans. Crisis/emergency/disaster Management graduates of Arkansas Tech University earn a median of $54,236 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Lander University landed the #15 spot for crisis/emergency/disaster management value this year. Lander University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Greenwood. Students from in state pay about $11,700 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,300. Crisis/emergency/disaster Management graduates carry a median of $26,064 in student loans. Soon after graduation, crisis/emergency/disaster management degree recipients from Lander University generally make around $37,548. That is a strong return on a $26,064 median debt. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Jacksonville State University earned the #16 position for value in crisis/emergency/disaster management this year. Located in the suburb of Jacksonville, Jacksonville State University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,894, compared with $23,334 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,751 to complete the crisis/emergency/disaster management program here. Early-career crisis/emergency/disaster management graduates make about $45,361. That is a strong return on a $24,751 median debt. Jacksonville State University admits about 78% of applicants.
Columbia Southern University ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value crisis/emergency/disaster management schools. Located in the town of Orange Beach, Columbia Southern University is a very large private for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,224. Typical student debt for crisis/emergency/disaster management graduates is $32,683. Early-career crisis/emergency/disaster management graduates make about $73,839. Set against $32,683 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
George Mason University came in at #18 for value in crisis/emergency/disaster management this year. Located in the suburb of Fairfax, George Mason University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,220, while out-of-state students pay about $38,688. Crisis/emergency/disaster Management graduates carry a median of $21,741 in student loans. Soon after graduation, crisis/emergency/disaster management degree recipients from George Mason University generally make around $114,896. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Worldwide placed #19 among the best values for crisis/emergency/disaster management. Set in the city of Daytona Beach, Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Worldwide is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $12,097 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for crisis/emergency/disaster management graduates is $20,500. Early-career crisis/emergency/disaster management graduates make about $48,676. That is a strong return on a $20,500 median debt. Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Worldwide admits about 58% of applicants.
Bethel University Tennessee came in at #20 for value in crisis/emergency/disaster management this year. Located in the town of McKenzie, Bethel University Tennessee is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $18,712 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for crisis/emergency/disaster management graduates is $31,919. Soon after graduation, crisis/emergency/disaster management degree recipients from Bethel University Tennessee generally make around $78,275. Set against $31,919 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 60%.
Barry University earned the #21 position for value in crisis/emergency/disaster management this year. Set in the suburb of Miami, Barry University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $34,350. Students borrow a median of $31,180 to complete the crisis/emergency/disaster management program here. Soon after graduation, crisis/emergency/disaster management degree recipients from Barry University generally make around $64,906. Set against $31,180 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Barry University admits about 77% of applicants.
Nova Southeastern University came in at #22 for value in crisis/emergency/disaster management this year. Set in the suburb of Fort Lauderdale, Nova Southeastern University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $38,700. Typical student debt for crisis/emergency/disaster management graduates is $25,021. Crisis/emergency/disaster Management graduates of Nova Southeastern University earn a median of $70,595 early in their careers. Set against $25,021 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Nova Southeastern University admits about 73% of applicants.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 61 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 10 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.
