by our College Data Analytics Team
[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.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 13 schools to find the best return on investment for homeland security students.
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If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the homeland security degrees they offer, see the list below.
For return on investment in homeland security, no school beat Rio Salado College this year. Rio Salado College is a very large public school located in the city of Tempe. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,358, with out-of-state students paying around $8,958. Students borrow a median of $13,679 to complete the homeland security program here. Early-career homeland security graduates make about $48,564. That is a strong return on a $13,679 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in homeland security will find it at Arizona Western College, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Yuma, Arizona Western College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,060, compared with $9,870 for out-of-state students. Early-career homeland security graduates make about $44,895.
Arizona State University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value homeland security schools. Set in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,223 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $33,139. Typical student debt for homeland security graduates is $20,843. Early-career homeland security graduates make about $60,820. That is a strong return on a $20,843 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at American Intercontinental University Online earned it the #4 place for homeland security. Located in the city of Chandler, American Intercontinental University Online is a very large private for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,397. Homeland Security graduates carry a median of $39,107 in student loans. Early-career homeland security graduates make about $43,008. That is a strong return on a $39,107 median debt.
Grand Canyon University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value homeland security schools. Located in the city of Phoenix, Grand Canyon University is a very large private for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $18,508. Homeland Security graduates carry a median of $28,787 in student loans. Soon after graduation, homeland security degree recipients from Grand Canyon University generally make around $68,503. Set against $28,787 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
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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 · 13 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 3 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.