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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Value Terrorism & Counterterrorism Operations Schools

3 Colleges in the United States
$24,586 Avg Student Debt
$57,218 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Terrorism & Counterterrorism Operations Badge [Terrorism & Counterterrorism Operations](/majors/protective-security-safety-services/homeland-security/terrorism-and-counterterrorism-operations/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.

For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 18 schools to find the best return on investment for terrorism & counterterrorism operations students.

What’s on this page:

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Finding the Best Value Terrorism & Counterterrorism Operations School for You

The terrorism & counterterrorism operations program you select can have a big impact on your finances and your future. That is why we built our Best Value Terrorism & Counterterrorism Operations Schools ranking. It weighs the cost of a degree against the outcomes graduates go on to achieve, so you can find the strongest return on your investment.

Learn more about our methodology

One Size Does Not Fit All

Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value Terrorism & Counterterrorism Operations Schools list, to help you choose. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.

Associate's Degrees in Terrorism & Counterterrorism Operations
Bachelor's Degrees in Terrorism & Counterterrorism Operations
Master's Degrees in Terrorism & Counterterrorism Operations
Doctorate Degrees in Terrorism & Counterterrorism Operations

To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.

Read more about College Factual’s methodology

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2026 Best Value Terrorism & Counterterrorism Operations Schools in the United States

If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the terrorism & counterterrorism operations degrees they offer, see the list below.

Best Value Terrorism & Counterterrorism Operations Schools

1

Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice earned the #1 spot for value among terrorism & counterterrorism operations 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, while out-of-state students pay about $15,420. Typical student debt for terrorism & counterterrorism operations graduates is $12,678. Soon after graduation, terrorism & counterterrorism operations degree recipients from Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice generally make around $43,545. Set against $12,678 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.

2

A rank of #2 makes American Public University System one of the best values for terrorism & counterterrorism operations. American Public University System is a very large private for-profit school located in the town of Charles Town. Students from in state pay about $8,400 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $16,339 to complete the terrorism & counterterrorism operations program here. Early-career terrorism & counterterrorism operations graduates make about $69,808. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

3
Park University crest
Park University
Parkville, MO

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Park University earned it the #3 place for terrorism & counterterrorism operations. Park University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Parkville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,116. Students borrow a median of $22,112 to complete the terrorism & counterterrorism operations program here. Soon after graduation, terrorism & counterterrorism operations degree recipients from Park University generally make around $52,616. That is a strong return on a $22,112 median debt.

4

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global earned it the #4 place for terrorism & counterterrorism operations. Located in the rural area of Marion, Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,648. Students borrow a median of $32,807 to complete the terrorism & counterterrorism operations program here. Early-career terrorism & counterterrorism operations graduates make about $53,752. That is a strong return on a $32,807 median debt.

5

A rank of #5 makes George Mason University one of the best values for terrorism & counterterrorism operations. 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, compared with $38,688 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for terrorism & counterterrorism operations graduates is $21,741. Soon after graduation, terrorism & counterterrorism operations degree recipients from George Mason University generally make around $114,896. Set against $21,741 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.

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6

Pennsylvania State University World Campus came in at #6 for value in terrorism & counterterrorism operations this year. Set in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University World Campus is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,356. Median earnings reach $63,435 ten years out. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.

7

National American University Rapid City ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value terrorism & counterterrorism operations schools. Located in the city of Rapid City, National American University Rapid City is a small private for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,065. Students borrow a median of $38,264 to complete the terrorism & counterterrorism operations program here. Terrorism & Counterterrorism Operations graduates of National American University Rapid City earn a median of $47,873 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

8
Rowan University crest
Rowan University
Glassboro, NJ

Rowan University placed #8 among the best values for terrorism & counterterrorism operations. Set in the suburb of Glassboro, Rowan University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,574, compared with $26,932 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,488 to complete the terrorism & counterterrorism operations program here. Early-career terrorism & counterterrorism operations graduates make about $43,002. Set against $24,488 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.

9
Nichols College crest
Nichols College
Dudley, MA

Nichols College placed #9 among the best values for terrorism & counterterrorism operations. Nichols College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Dudley. In-state tuition and fees average $42,705. Typical student debt for terrorism & counterterrorism operations graduates is $26,602. Early-career terrorism & counterterrorism operations graduates make about $52,388. Set against $26,602 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.

10
University Of New Haven crest
University Of New Haven
West Haven, CT

University Of New Haven landed the #10 spot for terrorism & counterterrorism operations value this year. University Of New Haven is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of West Haven. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $47,332. Typical student debt for terrorism & counterterrorism operations graduates is $26,244. Early-career terrorism & counterterrorism operations graduates make about $49,615. Set against $26,244 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.

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Explore other best-value rankings in majors related to Terrorism & Counterterrorism Operations. Browse the parent area of study.

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Notes and References

This ranking is produced 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 · 18 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 3 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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