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2026 Best Value Terrorism & Counterterrorism Operations Schools in the Southeast Region

[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 schools below stand out for delivering a strong terrorism & counterterrorism operations education at a price that pays off.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 2 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for terrorism & counterterrorism operations students.

What’s on this page:

• Best Value Terrorism & Counterterrorism Operations Schools in the Southeast Region

2026 Best Value Terrorism & Counterterrorism Operations Schools in the Southeast Region

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

American Public University System
Charles Town, WV

$8,400 In-State Tuition & Fees

$16,339 Avg Student Debt

$44,409 Median Earnings (10yr)

Leading the list is American Public University System, our #1 best value for terrorism & counterterrorism operations in the Southeast Region. Set in the town of Charles Town, American Public University System is a very large private for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $8,400 in tuition and fees. Terrorism & Counterterrorism Operations graduates carry a median of $16,339 in student loans. Terrorism & Counterterrorism Operations graduates of American Public University System earn a median of $69,808 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

2

George Mason University
Fairfax, VA

$14,220 In-State Tuition & Fees

$21,741 Avg Student Debt

$76,343 Median Earnings (10yr)

George Mason University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in terrorism & counterterrorism operations, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Fairfax, George Mason University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,220, with out-of-state students paying around $38,688. Terrorism & Counterterrorism Operations graduates carry a median of $21,741 in student loans. 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.

View All Terrorism & Counterterrorism Operations Rankings >

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 · 2 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 ranked schools only.

• The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
• Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).

More about our data sources and methodologies.