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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Value Homeland Security Associate’s Degree Schools

10 Colleges in the United States
$17,981 Avg Student Debt
$41,885 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Homeland Security Associate's Degree Badge [Homeland Security](/majors/protective-security-safety-services/homeland-security/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 352 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for homeland security students.

What’s on this page:

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2026 Best Value Homeland Security Schools in the United States

If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the homeland security degrees they offer, see the list below.

Best Value Homeland Security Schools

1

Middlesex County College earned the #1 spot for value among homeland security schools in the United States. Located in the suburb of Edison, Middlesex County College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,764, compared with $7,356 for out-of-state students. Homeland Security graduates carry a median of $9,514 in student loans. Homeland Security graduates of Middlesex County College earn a median of $37,975 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

2

A rank of #2 makes Central Texas College one of the best values for homeland security. Located in the suburb of Killeen, Central Texas College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,750 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,500. Typical student debt for homeland security graduates is $11,290. Homeland Security graduates of Central Texas College earn a median of $53,086 early in their careers. Set against $11,290 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

3

Laredo Community College came in at #3 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. Students from in state pay about $3,300 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,748. Homeland Security graduates carry a median of $6,000 in student loans. 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.

4

A rank of #4 makes Fayetteville Technical Community College one of the best values for homeland security. Fayetteville Technical Community College is a large public school located in the city of Fayetteville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,628, while out-of-state students pay about $8,772. Typical student debt for homeland security graduates is $16,909. Homeland Security graduates of Fayetteville Technical Community College earn a median of $40,584 early in their careers. Set against $16,909 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

5

Students looking for strong value in homeland security will find it at New Mexico State University Dona Ana, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Las Cruces, New Mexico State University Dona Ana is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,322, compared with $6,360 for out-of-state students. Homeland Security graduates carry a median of $10,284 in student loans. Early-career homeland security graduates make about $39,399. Set against $10,284 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

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6

American Public University System earned the #6 position for value in homeland security this year. Set in the town of Charles Town, American Public University System is a very large private for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $8,400 in tuition and fees. Homeland Security graduates carry a median of $13,125 in student loans. Early-career homeland security graduates make about $69,808. That is a strong return on a $13,125 median debt.

7

Caldwell Community College And Technical Institute placed #7 among the best values for homeland security. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $6,528. Students borrow a median of $8,750 to complete the homeland security program here. Homeland Security graduates of Caldwell Community College And Technical Institute earn a median of $44,734 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

8

Brookdale Community College landed the #8 spot for homeland security value this year. Brookdale Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Lincroft. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,270, while out-of-state students pay about $10,140. Homeland Security graduates carry a median of $12,651 in student loans. Soon after graduation, homeland security degree recipients from Brookdale Community College generally make around $37,374. That is a strong return on a $12,651 median debt.

9

Arizona Western College earned the #9 position for value in homeland security this year. Set in the city of Yuma, Arizona Western College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,060 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,870 for out-of-state students. Homeland Security graduates of Arizona Western College earn a median of $44,895 early in their careers.

10

Columbia Southern University landed the #10 spot for homeland security value this year. 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 homeland security graduates is $32,683. Homeland Security graduates of Columbia Southern University earn a median of $73,839 early in their careers. Set against $32,683 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

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11

Georgia Military College Milledgeville ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value homeland security schools. Georgia Military College Milledgeville is a large public school located in the town of Milledgeville. Students from in state pay about $7,605 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $13,587 to complete the homeland security program here. Homeland Security graduates of Georgia Military College Milledgeville earn a median of $29,788 early in their careers. Set against $13,587 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

12

American Intercontinental University Online ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value homeland security schools. Located in the city of Chandler, American Intercontinental University Online is a very large private for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,397. Students borrow a median of $39,107 to complete the homeland security program here. Soon after graduation, homeland security degree recipients from American Intercontinental University Online generally make around $43,008. That is a strong return on a $39,107 median debt.

13

Idaho State University earned the #13 position for value in homeland security this year. Set in the city of Pocatello, Idaho State University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,610, while out-of-state students pay about $27,720. Typical student debt for homeland security graduates is $24,640. Homeland Security graduates of Idaho State University earn a median of $51,446 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

14
Waldorf College crest
Waldorf College
Forest City, IA

Waldorf College came in at #14 for value in homeland security this year. Set in the rural area of Forest City, Waldorf College is a mid-sized private for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $25,978 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for homeland security graduates is $23,437. Homeland Security graduates of Waldorf College earn a median of $66,446 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 77%.

15

Keiser University Ft Lauderdale earned the #15 position for value in homeland security this year. Keiser University Ft Lauderdale is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Fort Lauderdale. Students from in state pay about $25,056 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for homeland security graduates is $29,750. Homeland Security graduates of Keiser University Ft Lauderdale earn a median of $54,837 early in their careers. Set against $29,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Keiser University Ft Lauderdale admits about 97% of applicants.

Other Homeland Security Degree Levels

Explore the best-value homeland security schools at other degree levels:

All Degree Levels in Homeland Security
Bachelor's Degrees in Homeland Security
Master's Degrees in Homeland Security
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View All Homeland Security Rankings >

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Notes and References

This list is compiled 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 · 352 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 10 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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