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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Value Homeland Security Schools in the Southwest Region

12 Colleges in the United States
$18,421 Avg Student Debt
$46,260 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Homeland Security Badge [Homeland Security](/majors/protective-security-safety-services/homeland-security/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.

College Factual analyzed 40 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value homeland security schools.

What’s on this page:

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2026 Best Value Homeland Security Schools in the Southwest Region

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in homeland security, balancing cost against outcomes.

Best Value Homeland Security Schools

1

Our analysis ranked Laredo Community College the best value for a degree in homeland security in the Southwest Region. Laredo Community College is a large public school located in the city of Laredo. In-state tuition and fees average $3,300, with out-of-state students paying around $5,748. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

2

Central New Mexico Community College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value homeland security schools. Set in the city of Albuquerque, Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,060, with out-of-state students paying around $8,684. Students borrow a median of $10,112 to complete the homeland security program here. Soon after graduation, homeland security degree recipients from Central New Mexico Community College generally make around $34,751. That is a strong return on a $10,112 median debt.

3

Students looking for strong value in homeland security will find it at Central Texas College, which ranked #3. 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. Students borrow a median of $11,290 to complete the homeland security program here. Early-career homeland security graduates make about $53,086. That is a strong return on a $11,290 median debt.

4

New Mexico State University Dona Ana is a great value for students pursuing a degree in homeland security, landing the #4 spot this year. New Mexico State University Dona Ana is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Las Cruces. Students from in state pay about $2,322 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,360. Students borrow a median of $10,284 to complete the homeland security program here. Early-career homeland security graduates make about $39,399. That is a strong return on a $10,284 median debt.

5

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Oklahoma State University Oklahoma City earned it the #5 place for homeland security. Oklahoma State University Oklahoma City is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Oklahoma City. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,779, compared with $9,564 for out-of-state students. Homeland Security graduates carry a median of $18,726 in student loans. Early-career homeland security graduates make about $45,580. That is a strong return on a $18,726 median debt.

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6

The University Of Texas Pan American earned the #6 position for value in homeland security 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, with out-of-state students paying around $19,645. Typical student debt for homeland security graduates is $14,694. Early-career homeland security graduates make about $46,404. That is a strong return on a $14,694 median debt. The University Of Texas Pan American admits about 94% of applicants.

7

Rio Salado College earned the #7 position for value in homeland security this year. Located in the city of Tempe, Rio Salado College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,358, with out-of-state students paying around $8,958. Typical student debt for homeland security graduates is $13,679. Early-career homeland security graduates make about $48,564. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

8

Arizona Western College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value homeland security schools. Arizona Western College is a large public school located in the city of Yuma. In-state tuition and fees average $3,060, with out-of-state students paying around $9,870. Soon after graduation, homeland security degree recipients from Arizona Western College generally make around $44,895.

9
Lone Star College System crest
Lone Star College System
The Woodlands, TX

Lone Star College System landed the #9 spot for homeland security value this year. Lone Star College System is a very large public school located in the city of The Woodlands. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,664, while out-of-state students pay about $7,512. Homeland Security graduates carry a median of $10,425 in student loans. Homeland Security graduates of Lone Star College System earn a median of $39,954 early in their careers. Set against $10,425 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

10

Northeastern State University placed #10 among the best values for homeland security. Northeastern State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Tahlequah. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,810, compared with $17,290 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for homeland security graduates is $23,465. Early-career homeland security graduates make about $49,353. That is a strong return on a $23,465 median debt. Northeastern State University admits about 100% of applicants.

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11
Angelo State University crest
Angelo State University
San Angelo, TX

Angelo State University earned the #11 position for value in homeland security this year. Set in the city of San Angelo, Angelo State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,460, with out-of-state students paying around $18,300. Typical student debt for homeland security graduates is $21,237. Homeland Security graduates of Angelo State University earn a median of $46,134 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Angelo State University admits about 83% of applicants.

12

University Of North Texas earned the #12 position for value in homeland security this year. University Of North Texas is a very large public school located in the city of Denton. In-state tuition and fees average $11,309, with out-of-state students paying around $21,149. Students borrow a median of $17,293 to complete the homeland security program here. Homeland Security graduates of University Of North Texas earn a median of $44,969 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%.

13

Arizona State University landed the #13 spot for homeland security value this year. Located in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,223, with out-of-state students paying around $33,139. Homeland Security graduates carry a median of $20,843 in student loans. Soon after graduation, homeland security degree recipients from Arizona State University generally make around $60,820. Set against $20,843 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Arizona State University admits about 90% of applicants.

14

American Intercontinental University Online earned the #14 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. In-state tuition and fees average $12,397. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

15

Sam Houston State University came in at #15 for value in homeland security this year. Sam Houston State University is a very large public school located in the town of Huntsville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,228, while out-of-state students pay about $19,068. Typical student debt for homeland security graduates is $24,850. Soon after graduation, homeland security degree recipients from Sam Houston State University generally make around $61,091. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.

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West Texas A And M University earned the #16 position for value in homeland security this year. Located in the town of Canyon, West Texas A And M University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,101, with out-of-state students paying around $10,996. Homeland Security graduates carry a median of $22,333 in student loans. Early-career homeland security graduates make about $43,515. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. West Texas A And M University admits about 99% of applicants.

17

Texas A And M University College Station came in at #17 for value in homeland security this year. Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public school located in the city of College Station. In-state tuition and fees average $12,995, with out-of-state students paying around $40,124. Students borrow a median of $20,031 to complete the homeland security program here. Soon after graduation, homeland security degree recipients from Texas A And M University College Station generally make around $66,287. Set against $20,031 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.

18

Grand Canyon University placed #18 among the best values for homeland security. Set in the city of Phoenix, Grand Canyon University is a very large private for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $18,508 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $28,787 to complete the homeland security program here. Early-career homeland security graduates make about $68,503. Set against $28,787 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 79%.

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Notes and References

This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 40 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 12 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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