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2026 Best Value Homeland Security Master’s Degree Schools

32 Colleges in the United States
$23,470 Avg Student Debt
$59,763 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Homeland Security Master's Degree Badge [Homeland Security](/majors/protective-security-safety-services/homeland-security/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong homeland security education at a price that pays off.

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

Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice tops our 2026 list of the best value homeland security schools in the United States. Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice is a large public school located in the city of New York. In-state tuition and fees average $7,470, compared with $15,420 for out-of-state students. Homeland Security graduates carry a median of $12,678 in student loans. Homeland Security graduates of Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice earn a median of $43,545 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 57%.

2

The University Of Texas Pan American is a great value for students pursuing a degree in homeland security, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,799, compared with $19,645 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,694 to complete the homeland security program here. Early-career homeland security graduates make about $46,404. Set against $14,694 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Texas Pan American admits about 94% of applicants.

3

Students looking for strong value in homeland security will find it at University Of South Florida Main Campus, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,410, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Homeland Security graduates carry a median of $21,829 in student loans. Homeland Security graduates of University Of South Florida Main Campus earn a median of $85,268 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,829 median debt. University Of South Florida Main Campus admits about 43% of applicants.

4

Florida International University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in homeland security, landing the #4 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, compared with $18,964 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,349 to complete the homeland security program here. Homeland Security graduates of Florida International University earn a median of $78,638 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,349 median debt. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.

5

Students looking for strong value in homeland security will find it at American Public University System, which ranked #5. American Public University System is a very large private for-profit school located in the town of Charles Town. In-state tuition and fees average $8,400. Homeland Security graduates carry a median of $16,339 in student loans. Early-career homeland security graduates make about $77,276. That is a strong return on a $16,339 median debt.

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University Of Central Florida came in at #6 for value in homeland security this year. Set in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,368, while out-of-state students pay about $22,467. Students borrow a median of $21,620 to complete the homeland security program here. Homeland Security graduates of University Of Central Florida earn a median of $51,790 early in their careers. Set against $21,620 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 40% of applicants are accepted.

7

University Of Alaska Fairbanks earned the #7 position for value in homeland security this year. University Of Alaska Fairbanks is a large public school located in the city of Fairbanks. Students from in state pay about $10,083 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $25,892. Homeland Security graduates carry a median of $22,722 in student loans. Soon after graduation, homeland security degree recipients from University Of Alaska Fairbanks generally make around $50,963. Set against $22,722 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

8

New Jersey City University came in at #8 for value in homeland security this year. New Jersey City University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Jersey City. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,460. Typical student debt for homeland security graduates is $14,562. Homeland Security graduates of New Jersey City University earn a median of $39,624 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. New Jersey City University admits about 98% of applicants.

9

Arkansas State University Main Campus ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value homeland security schools. Located in the city of Jonesboro, Arkansas State University Main Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,090 in tuition and fees, compared with $14,522 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for homeland security graduates is $23,399. Homeland Security graduates of Arkansas State University Main Campus earn a median of $72,464 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Arkansas State University Main Campus admits about 82% of applicants.

10

University Of New Hampshire At Manchester earned the #10 position for value in homeland security this year. Set in the city of Manchester, University Of New Hampshire At Manchester is a small public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,838, with out-of-state students paying around $36,418. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete the homeland security program here. Soon after graduation, homeland security degree recipients from University Of New Hampshire At Manchester generally make around $51,200. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of New Hampshire At Manchester admits about 81% of applicants.

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University Of North Texas earned the #11 position for value in homeland security this year. Located in the city of Denton, University Of North Texas is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,309 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,149. Homeland Security graduates carry a median of $17,293 in student loans. Homeland Security graduates of University Of North Texas earn a median of $44,969 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,293 median debt. The acceptance rate is 72%.

12
Angelo State University crest
Angelo State University
San Angelo, TX

Angelo State University placed #12 among the best values for homeland security. Located in the city of San Angelo, Angelo State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,460, compared with $18,300 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,237 to complete the homeland security program here. Homeland Security graduates of Angelo State University earn a median of $46,134 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,237 median debt. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.

13

Northwestern State University Of Louisiana came in at #13 for value in homeland security this year. Set in the town of Natchitoches, Northwestern State University Of Louisiana is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,864 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,652. Homeland Security graduates carry a median of $28,061 in student loans. Soon after graduation, homeland security degree recipients from Northwestern State University Of Louisiana generally make around $42,684. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 92%.

14

Jacksonville State University landed the #14 spot for homeland security value this year. Jacksonville State University is a large public school located in the suburb of Jacksonville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,894, with out-of-state students paying around $23,334. Typical student debt for homeland security graduates is $24,751. Soon after graduation, homeland security degree recipients from Jacksonville State University generally make around $45,361. That is a strong return on a $24,751 median debt. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.

15
Arkansas Tech University crest
Arkansas Tech University
Russellville, AR

Arkansas Tech University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value homeland security schools. Arkansas Tech University is a large public school located in the town of Russellville. In-state tuition and fees average $8,674, with out-of-state students paying around $14,668. Homeland Security graduates carry a median of $25,355 in student loans. Soon after graduation, homeland security degree recipients from Arkansas Tech University generally make around $65,382. Set against $25,355 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.

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Lander University crest
Lander University
Greenwood, SC

Lander University landed the #16 spot for homeland security value this year. Located in the town of Greenwood, Lander University is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,700, with out-of-state students paying around $21,300. Homeland Security graduates carry a median of $26,064 in student loans. Early-career homeland security graduates make about $37,548. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Lander University admits about 81% of applicants.

17

Columbia Southern University placed #17 among the best values for homeland security. Located in the town of Orange Beach, Columbia Southern University is a very large private for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,224. Homeland Security graduates carry a median of $32,683 in student loans. Soon after graduation, homeland security degree recipients from Columbia Southern University generally make around $85,364. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

18

Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus earned the #18 position for value in homeland security this year. Set in the suburb of Teaneck, Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $37,010. Homeland Security graduates carry a median of $24,770 in student loans. Early-career homeland security graduates make about $54,505. Set against $24,770 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.

19

George Mason University earned the #19 position for value in homeland security this year. George Mason University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fairfax. Students from in state pay about $14,220 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $38,688. Homeland Security graduates carry a median of $21,741 in student loans. Homeland Security graduates of George Mason University earn a median of $138,835 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,741 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.

20

American Intercontinental University Online earned the #20 position for value in homeland security this year. American Intercontinental University Online is a very large private for-profit school located in the city of Chandler. Students from in state pay about $12,397 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for homeland security graduates is $39,107. Homeland Security graduates of American Intercontinental University Online earn a median of $43,008 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $39,107 median debt.

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University Of Kansas crest
University Of Kansas
Lawrence, KS

University Of Kansas earned the #21 position for value in homeland security this year. Located in the city of Lawrence, University Of Kansas is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,102, compared with $30,432 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for homeland security graduates is $23,608. Early-career homeland security graduates make about $56,289. That is a strong return on a $23,608 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.

22

Sam Houston State University landed the #22 spot for homeland security value this year. Located in the town of Huntsville, Sam Houston State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,228 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,068 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,850 to complete the homeland security program here. Soon after graduation, homeland security degree recipients from Sam Houston State University generally make around $61,091. Set against $24,850 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.

23
Wilmington University crest
Wilmington University
New Castle, DE

Wilmington University ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value homeland security schools. Located in the suburb of New Castle, Wilmington University is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,630. Students borrow a median of $26,054 to complete the homeland security program here. Early-career homeland security graduates make about $62,007. Set against $26,054 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

24

Auburn University At Montgomery ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value homeland security schools. Set in the city of Montgomery, Auburn University At Montgomery is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,700, compared with $20,668 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $29,746 to complete the homeland security program here. Soon after graduation, homeland security degree recipients from Auburn University At Montgomery generally make around $44,249. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.

25

Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Worldwide landed the #25 spot for homeland security value this year. Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Worldwide is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Daytona Beach. Students from in state pay about $12,097 in tuition and fees. Homeland Security graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, homeland security degree recipients from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Worldwide generally make around $48,676. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 58%.

Rest of the Top 40 Best Value Homeland Security Schools

These schools rounded out the top of this year’s homeland security value ranking:

26
27
Rosemont College crest
Rosemont College
Rosemont, PA
28
29
30
Utica College crest
Utica College
Utica, NY
31
Liberty University crest
Liberty University
Lynchburg, VA
32
33
Nichols College crest
Nichols College
Dudley, MA
34
National University crest
National University
San Diego, CA
35
Nova Southeastern University crest
Nova Southeastern University
Fort Lauderdale, FL
36
37
Georgetown University crest
Georgetown University
Washington, DC
38
Endicott College crest
Endicott College
Beverly, MA
39
American University crest
American University
Washington, DC
40

Other Homeland Security Degree Levels

Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Homeland Security rankings across degree levels:

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

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Notes and References

This ranking is produced 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 32 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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