2026 Best Value Homeland Security Schools in the Southeast Region

1

Wayne Community College
Goldsboro, NC

Leading the list is Wayne Community College, our #1 best value for homeland security in the Southeast Region. Wayne Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Goldsboro. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,566, with out-of-state students paying around $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. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

2

Fayetteville Technical Community College
Fayetteville, NC

Fayetteville Technical Community College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value homeland security schools. Located in the city of Fayetteville, Fayetteville Technical Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,628, compared with $8,772 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for homeland security graduates is $16,909. Early-career homeland security graduates make about $40,584. That is a strong return on a $16,909 median debt.

3

American Public University System
Charles Town, WV

American Public University System is a great value for students pursuing a degree in homeland security, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the town of Charles Town, American Public University System is a very large private for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $8,400 in tuition and fees. 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. Set against $16,339 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

4

University Of South Florida Main Campus
Tampa, FL

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of South Florida Main Campus earned it the #4 place for homeland security. University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Tampa. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,410, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Students borrow a median of $21,829 to complete the homeland security program here. 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. Roughly 43% of applicants are accepted.

5

Caldwell Community College And Technical Institute
Hudson, NC

Students looking for strong value in homeland security will find it at Caldwell Community College And Technical Institute, which ranked #5. Set in the suburb of Hudson, Caldwell Community College And Technical Institute is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,528, with out-of-state students paying around $6,528. Typical student debt for homeland security graduates is $8,750. Homeland Security graduates of Caldwell Community College And Technical Institute earn a median of $44,734 early in their careers. Set against $8,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

6

Florida International University
Miami, FL

Florida International University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value homeland security schools. Located in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,565, with out-of-state students paying around $18,964. Students borrow a median of $19,349 to complete the homeland security program here. Soon after graduation, homeland security degree recipients from Florida International University generally make around $78,638. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Florida International University admits about 55% of applicants.

7

Palm Beach State College
Lake Worth, FL

Palm Beach State College landed the #7 spot for homeland security value this year. Set in the suburb of Lake Worth, Palm Beach State College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,050, while out-of-state students pay about $10,910. Students borrow a median of $12,518 to complete the homeland security program here. Early-career homeland security graduates make about $42,501. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

8

Elizabeth City State University
Elizabeth City, NC

Elizabeth City State University earned the #8 position for value in homeland security this year. 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. Typical student debt for homeland security graduates is $26,992. Homeland Security graduates of Elizabeth City State University earn a median of $28,300 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,992 median debt. Elizabeth City State University admits about 64% of applicants.

9

University Of Central Florida
Orlando, FL

University Of Central Florida ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value homeland security schools. University Of Central Florida is a very large public school located in the suburb of Orlando. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. That is a strong return on a $21,620 median debt. University Of Central Florida admits about 40% of applicants.

10

Western Kentucky University
Bowling Green, KY

Western Kentucky University came in at #10 for value in homeland security this year. Western Kentucky University is a large public school located in the city of Bowling Green. In-state tuition and fees average $11,652, while out-of-state students pay about $27,000. Homeland Security graduates carry a median of $24,499 in student loans. Soon after graduation, homeland security degree recipients from Western Kentucky University generally make around $44,778. That is a strong return on a $24,499 median debt. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.

11

Eastern Kentucky University
Richmond, KY

Eastern Kentucky University came in at #11 for value in homeland security this year. Eastern Kentucky University is a large public school located in the town of Richmond. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,320, while out-of-state students pay about $21,230. Homeland Security graduates carry a median of $28,343 in student loans. Homeland Security graduates of Eastern Kentucky University earn a median of $38,307 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Eastern Kentucky University admits about 78% of applicants.

12

Savannah State University
Savannah, GA

Savannah State University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value homeland security schools. Located in the city of Savannah, Savannah State University is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,750 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,043. Students borrow a median of $31,576 to complete the homeland security program here. Soon after graduation, homeland security degree recipients from Savannah State University generally make around $34,489. That is a strong return on a $31,576 median debt.

13

Arkansas State University Main Campus
Jonesboro, AR

Arkansas State University Main Campus came in at #13 for value in homeland security this year. Arkansas State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Jonesboro. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,090, with out-of-state students paying around $14,522. Students borrow a median of $23,399 to complete the homeland security program here. Soon after graduation, homeland security degree recipients from Arkansas State University Main Campus generally make around $72,464. Set against $23,399 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.

14

Tennessee Technological University
Cookeville, TN

Tennessee Technological University placed #14 among the best values for homeland security. Set in the town of Cookeville, Tennessee Technological University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,376 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,576. Students borrow a median of $17,580 to complete the homeland security program here. Homeland Security graduates of Tennessee Technological University earn a median of $46,981 early in their careers. Set against $17,580 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Tennessee Technological University admits about 76% of applicants.

15

Northwestern State University Of Louisiana
Natchitoches, LA

Northwestern State University Of Louisiana came in at #15 for value in homeland security this year. Set in the town of Natchitoches, Northwestern State University Of Louisiana is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,864, compared with $19,652 for out-of-state students. Homeland Security graduates carry a median of $28,061 in student loans. Early-career homeland security graduates make about $42,684. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 92%.

16

Arkansas Tech University
Russellville, AR

Arkansas Tech University came in at #16 for value in homeland security this year. Located in the town of Russellville, Arkansas Tech University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,674 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $14,668. Typical student debt for homeland security graduates is $25,355. Soon after graduation, homeland security degree recipients from Arkansas Tech University generally make around $54,236. That is a strong return on a $25,355 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.

17

Lander University
Greenwood, SC

Lander University ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value homeland security schools. Set in the town of Greenwood, Lander University is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,700, compared with $21,300 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for homeland security graduates is $26,064. Homeland Security graduates of Lander University earn a median of $37,548 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,064 median debt. The acceptance rate is 81%.

18

George Mason University
Fairfax, VA

George Mason University placed #18 among the best values for homeland security. Set in the suburb of Fairfax, George Mason University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,220 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $38,688. Homeland Security graduates carry a median of $21,741 in student loans. Soon after graduation, homeland security degree recipients from George Mason University generally make around $114,896. That is a strong return on a $21,741 median debt. George Mason University admits about 88% of applicants.

19

Georgia Military College Milledgeville
Milledgeville, GA

Georgia Military College Milledgeville earned the #19 position for value in homeland security this year. Set in the town of Milledgeville, Georgia Military College Milledgeville is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,605. Typical student debt for homeland security graduates is $13,587. Homeland Security graduates of Georgia Military College Milledgeville earn a median of $29,788 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,587 median debt.

20

Jacksonville State University
Jacksonville, AL

Jacksonville State University placed #20 among the best values for homeland security. Jacksonville State University is a large public school located in the suburb of Jacksonville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,894, compared with $23,334 for out-of-state students. Homeland Security graduates carry a median of $24,751 in student loans. Early-career homeland security graduates make about $45,361. That is a strong return on a $24,751 median debt. Jacksonville State University admits about 78% of applicants.

21

Kennesaw State University
Kennesaw, GA

Kennesaw State University placed #21 among the best values for homeland security. Kennesaw State University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Kennesaw. In-state tuition and fees average $5,808, while out-of-state students pay about $17,736. Typical student debt for homeland security graduates is $27,004. Homeland Security graduates of Kennesaw State University earn a median of $53,824 early in their careers. Set against $27,004 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Kennesaw State University admits about 69% of applicants.

22

Columbia Southern University
Orange Beach, AL

Columbia Southern University ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value homeland security schools. Columbia Southern University is a very large private for-profit school located in the town of Orange Beach. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,224. Students borrow a median of $32,683 to complete the homeland security program here. 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.

23

Auburn University At Montgomery
Montgomery, AL

Auburn University At Montgomery earned the #23 position for value in homeland security this year. Auburn University At Montgomery is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Montgomery. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,700, while out-of-state students pay about $20,668. Students borrow a median of $29,746 to complete the homeland security program here. Homeland Security graduates of Auburn University At Montgomery earn a median of $44,249 early in their careers. Set against $29,746 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.

24

Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Worldwide
Daytona Beach, FL

Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Worldwide landed the #24 spot for homeland security value this year. Set in the city of Daytona Beach, Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Worldwide is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,097. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete the homeland security program here. Soon after graduation, homeland security degree recipients from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Worldwide generally make around $48,676. That is a strong return on a $20,500 median debt. Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Worldwide admits about 58% of applicants.

25

Lake Technical College
Eustis, FL

Lake Technical College landed the #25 spot for homeland security value this year. Located in the suburb of Eustis, Lake Technical College is a small public university. Students borrow a median of $10,612 to complete the homeland security program here. Soon after graduation, homeland security degree recipients from Lake Technical College generally make around $34,319. That is a strong return on a $10,612 median debt.