DEBUG: Raw major_slug = ""
DEBUG: Initial offers_url = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/protective-security-safety-services/homeland-security/offers.json", major_slug = ""
DEBUG: After cleaning major_slug = ""
DEBUG: Before URL cleaning = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/protective-security-safety-services/homeland-security/offers.json"
DEBUG: After TrimSuffix = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/protective-security-safety-services/homeland-security/offers.json"
DEBUG: After HTTPS placeholder = "HTTPS_TEMP_PLACEHOLDERwww.collegefactual.com/majors/protective-security-safety-services/homeland-security/offers.json"
DEBUG: After slash cleaning = "HTTPS_TEMP_PLACEHOLDERwww.collegefactual.com/majors/protective-security-safety-services/homeland-security/offers.json"
DEBUG: After URL cleaning = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/protective-security-safety-services/homeland-security/offers.json"
DEBUG: offers_url = https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/protective-security-safety-services/homeland-security/offers.json
DEBUG: major_slug = ""
DEBUG: offers_url is valid, proceeding to fetch data
DEBUG: offers_data.offers found, count = 8
DEBUG: Specific major detected (cip4 = 43.03), keeping min_relevance at 0.8
DEBUG: Starting relevance filtering - min_relevance = 0.8, max_relevance = 1
DEBUG: Checking offer "Homeland Security (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" with relevance 1
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "Homeland Security (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" ACCEPTED (relevance 1)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Grad Cert - Homeland Security (I Have a Bachelors)" with relevance 1
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "Grad Cert - Homeland Security (I Have a Bachelors)" ACCEPTED (relevance 1)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Homeland Security (I Have a Bachelors)" with relevance 1
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "Homeland Security (I Have a Bachelors)" ACCEPTED (relevance 1)
DEBUG: Checking offer "BS in Criminal Justice - Homeland Security & Counterterrorism" with relevance 1
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "BS in Criminal Justice - Homeland Security & Counterterrorism" ACCEPTED (relevance 1)
DEBUG: Checking offer "MS in Criminal Justice - Advanced Counterterrorism" with relevance 1
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "MS in Criminal Justice - Advanced Counterterrorism" ACCEPTED (relevance 1)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Emergency Management (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" with relevance 0.6
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "Emergency Management (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" REJECTED (relevance 0.6)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Emergency Management (I Have a Bachelors)" with relevance 0.6
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "Emergency Management (I Have a Bachelors)" REJECTED (relevance 0.6)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Emergency Management (I Have a Bachelors)" with relevance 0.6
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "Emergency Management (I Have a Bachelors)" REJECTED (relevance 0.6)
DEBUG: relevant_offers count = 5
DEBUG: relevant_offers > 0, checking for ESYOH offers
DEBUG: ESYOH filtering - found 3 ESYOH offers with relevance >= 0.8
DEBUG: esyoh_offers count = 3
DEBUG: ESYOH offers found, rendering ESYOH widget
DEBUG: most_relevant_only = true, filtering for most relevant
DEBUG: Found 3 offers with relevance >= 1.0
2026 Best Value Homeland Security Schools in the Great Lakes Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in homeland security, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Homeland Security Schools
Our analysis ranked College Of Dupage the best value for a degree in homeland security in the Great Lakes Region. Located in the suburb of Glen Ellyn, College Of Dupage is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,560, compared with $12,750 for out-of-state students. Homeland Security graduates carry a median of $12,492 in student loans. Early-career homeland security graduates make about $43,025. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Harper College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in homeland security, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Palatine, Harper College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,894, while out-of-state students pay about $11,874. Typical student debt for homeland security graduates is $10,963. Homeland Security graduates of Harper College earn a median of $44,523 early in their careers. Set against $10,963 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value homeland security schools. Located in the rural area of Marion, Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,648. Students borrow a median of $32,807 to complete the homeland security program here. Homeland Security graduates of Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global earn a median of $53,752 early in their careers. Set against $32,807 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Narrow Homeland Security Schools by State