ADBLOCK #102
College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Homeland Security Associate’s Degree Schools

10 Colleges in the United States
1,446 Homeland Security Degrees Awarded
$48,572 Avg Early-Career Salary

Homeland Security programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.

For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 352 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for homeland security students pursuing a degree.

What’s on this page:

ADBLOCK #159
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

Best Schools for Homeland Security in the United States

These are the top schools for a associate’s degree in homeland security, based on student outcomes and program quality.

Top Schools in Homeland Security

1

American Public University System tops our 2026 ranking of the best homeland security schools. Set in the town of Charles Town, American Public University System is a very large private for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 47%. About 906 homeland security degrees were awarded at American Public University System in the most recent year. Graduates of the homeland security program make about $69,808 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $13,125 to complete this degree. See the full homeland security program report for American Public University System

2

Middlesex County College is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in homeland security, ranking #2. Located in the suburb of Edison, Middlesex County College is a large public university. About 12 homeland security degrees were awarded at Middlesex County College in the most recent year. Graduates of the homeland security program make about $37,975 in their early career. Middlesex County College graduates carry a median of $9,514 in student loans. More information about a degree in homeland security from Middlesex County College

3

Idaho State University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best homeland security schools. Located in the city of Pocatello, Idaho State University is a large public university. Idaho State University graduates 35% of students within six years. About 13 homeland security degrees were awarded at Idaho State University in the most recent year. Students who receive their homeland security degree from Idaho State University earn around $51,446 in the first couple years of their career. Idaho State University graduates carry a median of $24,640 in student loans. See the full homeland security program report for Idaho State University

4

A rank of #4 makes Central Texas College one of the top schools for homeland security. Set in the suburb of Killeen, Central Texas College is a large public institution. About 18 homeland security degrees were awarded at Central Texas College in the most recent year. Students who receive their homeland security degree from Central Texas College earn around $53,086 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $11,290 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in homeland security from Central Texas College

5

A rank of #5 makes Brookdale Community College one of the top schools for homeland security. This large public university is located in the suburb of Lincroft. Brookdale Community College awarded about 14 homeland security degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their homeland security degree from Brookdale Community College earn around $37,374 in the first couple years of their career. Brookdale Community College graduates carry a median of $12,651 in student loans. Read more about the homeland security program at Brookdale Community College

6

Columbia Southern University landed the #6 spot for homeland security this year. Set in the town of Orange Beach, Columbia Southern University is a very large private for-profit institution. Roughly 26% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 292 homeland security students who graduated with this degree at Columbia Southern University in the most recent data year. Homeland Security graduates of Columbia Southern University earn a median of $73,839 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $32,683 to complete this degree. Get the full homeland security details for Columbia Southern University

7

Arizona Western College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best homeland security schools. Arizona Western College is a large public school located in the city of Yuma. There were roughly 10 homeland security students who graduated with this degree at Arizona Western College in the most recent data year. Homeland Security graduates of Arizona Western College earn a median of $44,895 early in their careers. Read more about the homeland security program at Arizona Western College

8
Waldorf College crest
Waldorf College
Forest City, IA

Waldorf College came in at #8 for homeland security this year. This mid-sized private for-profit university is located in the rural area of Forest City. Waldorf College graduates 24% of students within six years. About 63 homeland security degrees were awarded at Waldorf College in the most recent year. Graduates of the homeland security program make about $66,446 in their early career. Waldorf College graduates carry a median of $23,437 in student loans. More information about a degree in homeland security from Waldorf College

9

Georgia Military College Milledgeville came in at #9 for homeland security this year. Set in the town of Milledgeville, Georgia Military College Milledgeville is a large public institution. Georgia Military College Milledgeville awarded about 17 homeland security degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, homeland security degree recipients from Georgia Military College Milledgeville generally make around $29,788. Typical student debt for the program is $13,587. Get the full homeland security details for Georgia Military College Milledgeville

10

Keiser University Ft Lauderdale placed #10 among the best homeland security schools. Set in the city of Fort Lauderdale, Keiser University Ft Lauderdale is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Keiser University Ft Lauderdale graduates 58% of students within six years. There were roughly 19 homeland security students who graduated with this degree at Keiser University Ft Lauderdale in the most recent data year. Homeland Security graduates of Keiser University Ft Lauderdale earn a median of $54,837 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $29,750. Get the full homeland security details for Keiser University Ft Lauderdale

11

Laredo Community College landed the #11 spot for homeland security this year. Set in the city of Laredo, Laredo Community College is a large public institution. Laredo Community College awarded about 27 homeland security degrees in the most recent data year. Homeland Security graduates of Laredo Community College earn a median of $41,354 early in their careers. Laredo Community College graduates carry a median of $6,000 in student loans. Read more about the homeland security program at Laredo Community College

12

New Mexico State University Dona Ana placed #12 among the best homeland security schools. New Mexico State University Dona Ana is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Las Cruces. New Mexico State University Dona Ana awarded about 16 homeland security degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their homeland security degree from New Mexico State University Dona Ana earn around $39,399 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $10,284. More information about a degree in homeland security from New Mexico State University Dona Ana

13

Fayetteville Technical Community College earned the #13 position for homeland security this year. Set in the city of Fayetteville, Fayetteville Technical Community College is a large public institution. About 13 homeland security degrees were awarded at Fayetteville Technical Community College in the most recent year. Graduates of the homeland security program make about $40,584 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $16,909 to complete this degree. Read more about the homeland security program at Fayetteville Technical Community College

14

Caldwell Community College And Technical Institute earned the #14 position for homeland security this year. Caldwell Community College And Technical Institute is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Hudson. There were roughly 11 homeland security students who graduated with this degree at Caldwell Community College And Technical Institute in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, homeland security degree recipients from Caldwell Community College And Technical Institute generally make around $44,734. Caldwell Community College And Technical Institute graduates carry a median of $8,750 in student loans. Get the full homeland security details for Caldwell Community College And Technical Institute

15

American Intercontinental University Online came in at #15 for homeland security this year. Located in the city of Chandler, American Intercontinental University Online is a very large private for-profit university. Roughly 6% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 15 homeland security degrees were awarded at American Intercontinental University Online in the most recent year. Graduates of the homeland security program make about $43,008 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $39,107. Read more about the homeland security program at American Intercontinental University Online

Other Homeland Security Degree Levels

Explore the best homeland security schools at other degree levels:

All Degree Levels in Homeland Security
Bachelor's Degrees in Homeland Security
Master's Degrees in Homeland Security
ADBLOCK #173
View All Homeland Security Rankings >

ADBLOCK #115

Notes and References

The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 352 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

ADBLOCK #116

Popular Reports

College Rankings
Best by Location
Degree Guides by Major
Graduate Programs
ADBLOCK #613

Compare Your School Options