2026 Best Value Homeland Security Schools

1

Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice
New York, NY

Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice tops our 2026 list of the best value homeland security schools in the United States. Located in the city of New York, Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,470, compared with $15,420 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,678 to complete the homeland security program here. Homeland Security graduates of Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice earn a median of $43,545 early in their careers. Set against $12,678 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 57%.

2

Laredo Community College
Laredo, TX

Laredo Community College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value homeland security schools. Located in the city of Laredo, Laredo Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,300, compared with $5,748 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for homeland security graduates is $6,000. Soon after graduation, homeland security degree recipients from Laredo Community College generally make around $41,354. Set against $6,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

3

Middlesex County College
Edison, NJ

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Middlesex County College earned it the #3 place for homeland security. Set in the suburb of Edison, Middlesex County College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,764, with out-of-state students paying around $7,356. Students borrow a median of $9,514 to complete the homeland security program here. Early-career homeland security graduates make about $37,975. Set against $9,514 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

4

Central New Mexico Community College
Albuquerque, NM

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Central New Mexico Community College earned it the #4 place for homeland security. Set in the city of Albuquerque, Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,060 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,684. Homeland Security graduates carry a median of $10,112 in student loans. Soon after graduation, homeland security degree recipients from Central New Mexico Community College generally make around $34,751. Set against $10,112 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

5

Harper College
Palatine, IL

Students looking for strong value in homeland security will find it at Harper College, which ranked #5. Harper College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Palatine. Students from in state pay about $3,894 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,874. Homeland Security graduates carry a median of $10,963 in student loans. Soon after graduation, homeland security degree recipients from Harper College generally make around $44,523. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

6

College Of Dupage
Glen Ellyn, IL

College Of Dupage came in at #6 for value in homeland security this year. Located in the suburb of Glen Ellyn, College Of Dupage is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,560, while out-of-state students pay about $12,750. Typical student debt for homeland security graduates is $12,492. Soon after graduation, homeland security degree recipients from College Of Dupage generally make around $43,025. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

7

Wayne Community College
Goldsboro, NC

Wayne Community College placed #7 among the best values for homeland security. Set in the city of Goldsboro, Wayne Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,566, while out-of-state students pay about $8,710. Typical student debt for homeland security graduates is $5,500. Homeland Security graduates of Wayne Community College earn a median of $33,116 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.

8

Central Texas College
Killeen, TX

Central Texas College placed #8 among the best values for homeland security. Set in the suburb of Killeen, Central Texas College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,750 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,500 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,290 to complete the homeland security program here. Early-career homeland security graduates make about $53,086. Set against $11,290 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

9

Fayetteville Technical Community College
Fayetteville, NC

Fayetteville Technical Community College earned the #9 position for value in homeland security this year. Fayetteville Technical Community College is a large public school located in the city of Fayetteville. In-state tuition and fees average $2,628, with out-of-state students paying around $8,772. Students borrow a median of $16,909 to complete the homeland security program here. Early-career homeland security graduates make about $40,584. Set against $16,909 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

10

New Mexico State University Dona Ana
Las Cruces, NM

New Mexico State University Dona Ana earned the #10 position for value in homeland security this year. Set in the city of Las Cruces, New Mexico State University Dona Ana is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,322, with out-of-state students paying around $6,360. Typical student debt for homeland security graduates is $10,284. Early-career homeland security graduates make about $39,399. That is a strong return on a $10,284 median debt.

11

The University Of Texas Pan American
Edinburg, TX

The University Of Texas Pan American ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value homeland security schools. The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public school located in the city of Edinburg. In-state tuition and fees average $9,799, compared with $19,645 for out-of-state students. Homeland Security graduates carry a median of $14,694 in student loans. Soon after graduation, homeland security degree recipients from The University Of Texas Pan American generally make around $46,404. Set against $14,694 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 94%.

12

Oklahoma State University Oklahoma City
Oklahoma City, OK

Oklahoma State University Oklahoma City placed #12 among the best values for homeland security. Located in the city of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma State University Oklahoma City is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,779, with out-of-state students paying around $9,564. Homeland Security graduates carry a median of $18,726 in student loans. Homeland Security graduates of Oklahoma State University Oklahoma City earn a median of $45,580 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,726 median debt.

13

Florida International University
Miami, FL

Florida International University earned the #13 position for value in homeland security this year. Located in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,565, with out-of-state students paying around $18,964. Typical student debt for homeland security graduates is $19,349. Homeland Security 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. Florida International University admits about 55% of applicants.

14

Caldwell Community College And Technical Institute
Hudson, NC

Caldwell Community College And Technical Institute placed #14 among the best values for homeland security. Located in the suburb of Hudson, Caldwell Community College And Technical Institute is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,528, compared with $6,528 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for homeland security graduates is $8,750. Soon after graduation, homeland security degree recipients from Caldwell Community College And Technical Institute generally make around $44,734. That is a strong return on a $8,750 median debt.

15

American Public University System
Charles Town, WV

American Public University System ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value homeland security schools. Located in the town of Charles Town, American Public University System is a very large private for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,400. Students borrow a median of $16,339 to complete the homeland security program here. Homeland Security graduates of American Public University System earn a median of $69,808 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

16

University Of South Florida Main Campus
Tampa, FL

University Of South Florida Main Campus ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value homeland security schools. University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Tampa. Students from in state pay about $6,410 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Homeland Security graduates carry a median of $21,829 in student loans. Soon after graduation, homeland security degree recipients from University Of South Florida Main Campus generally make around $85,268. That is a strong return on a $21,829 median debt. The acceptance rate is 43%.

17

Rio Salado College
Tempe, AZ

Rio Salado College placed #17 among the best values for homeland security. Located in the city of Tempe, Rio Salado College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,358, compared with $8,958 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,679 to complete the homeland security program here. Homeland Security graduates of Rio Salado College earn a median of $48,564 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,679 median debt.

18

Brookdale Community College
Lincroft, NJ

Brookdale Community College landed the #18 spot for homeland security value this year. Set in the suburb of Lincroft, Brookdale Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,270, compared with $10,140 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,651 to complete the homeland security program here. Homeland Security graduates of Brookdale Community College earn a median of $37,374 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

19

Elizabeth City State University
Elizabeth City, NC

Elizabeth City State University ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value homeland security schools. Set in the town of Elizabeth City, Elizabeth City State University is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,536, while out-of-state students pay about $10,536. Homeland Security graduates carry a median of $26,992 in student loans. Soon after graduation, homeland security degree recipients from Elizabeth City State University generally make around $28,300. That is a strong return on a $26,992 median debt. The acceptance rate is 64%.

20

University Of Central Florida
Orlando, FL

University Of Central Florida came in at #20 for value in homeland security 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, while out-of-state students pay about $22,467. Homeland Security graduates carry a median of $21,620 in student loans. Soon after graduation, homeland security degree recipients from University Of Central Florida generally make around $51,790. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Central Florida admits about 40% of applicants.

21

Arizona Western College
Yuma, AZ

Arizona Western College landed the #21 spot for homeland security value this year. Arizona Western College is a large public school located in the city of Yuma. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,060, with out-of-state students paying around $9,870. Early-career homeland security graduates make about $44,895.

22

Des Moines Area Community College
Ankeny, IA

Des Moines Area Community College placed #22 among the best values for homeland security. Set in the suburb of Ankeny, Des Moines Area Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,790, while out-of-state students pay about $6,690. Students borrow a median of $22,869 to complete the homeland security program here. Soon after graduation, homeland security degree recipients from Des Moines Area Community College generally make around $54,209. That is a strong return on a $22,869 median debt.

23

Palm Beach State College
Lake Worth, FL

Palm Beach State College came in at #23 for value in homeland security this year. Set in the suburb of Lake Worth, Palm Beach State College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,050, with out-of-state students paying around $10,910. Students borrow a median of $12,518 to complete the homeland security program here. Soon after graduation, homeland security degree recipients from Palm Beach State College generally make around $42,501. That is a strong return on a $12,518 median debt.

24

Lone Star College System
The Woodlands, TX

Lone Star College System ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value homeland security schools. Located in the city of The Woodlands, Lone Star College System is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,664, compared with $7,512 for out-of-state students. Homeland Security graduates carry a median of $10,425 in student loans. Soon after graduation, homeland security degree recipients from Lone Star College System generally make around $39,954. That is a strong return on a $10,425 median debt.

25

Western Kentucky University
Bowling Green, KY

Western Kentucky University ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value homeland security schools. Located in the city of Bowling Green, Western Kentucky University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,652, compared with $27,000 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for homeland security graduates is $24,499. Soon after graduation, homeland security degree recipients from Western Kentucky University generally make around $44,778. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Western Kentucky University admits about 94% of applicants.