[Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting](/majors/protective-security-safety-services/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 2070 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools.
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Finding the Best Value Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting School for You
The homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program you select can have a big impact on your finances and your future. To help, we created our Best Value Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
We offer a number of rankings, including this Best Value Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting Schools list, to help you decide. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
For return on investment in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting, no school beat Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice this year. Located in the city of New York, Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,470, compared with $15,420 for out-of-state students. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $11,503 in student loans. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $50,224. That is a strong return on a $11,503 median debt. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #2 makes College Of San Mateo one of the best values for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. College Of San Mateo is a large public school located in the city of San Mateo. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,332, with out-of-state students paying around $11,428. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $12,831 in student loans. Median earnings reach $54,172 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #3 makes Grossmont College one of the best values for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. Grossmont College is a large public school located in the suburb of El Cajon. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,332, compared with $10,628 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $40,309 ten years after entry.
Students looking for strong value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting will find it at California State University Dominguez Hills, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Carson, California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,454, with out-of-state students paying around $20,054. Students borrow a median of $12,256 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $36,092. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 93%.
California State University Los Angeles is a great value for students pursuing a degree in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,164, while out-of-state students pay about $19,764. Students borrow a median of $11,686 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $33,411. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Moraine Valley Community College earned the #6 position for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Set in the suburb of Palos Hills, Moraine Valley Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,822, while out-of-state students pay about $9,846. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $11,149 in student loans. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Moraine Valley Community College generally make around $43,844. That is a strong return on a $11,149 median debt.
Moorpark College placed #7 among the best values for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. Set in the suburb of Moorpark, Moorpark College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,426 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,615 for out-of-state students. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $17,075 in student loans. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Moorpark College earn a median of $105,599 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,075 median debt.
College Of The Canyons ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. Located in the suburb of Santa Clarita, College Of The Canyons is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,166 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,958. Students borrow a median of $9,776 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $51,913. Set against $9,776 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cerritos College earned the #9 position for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Located in the suburb of Norwalk, Cerritos College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,364, while out-of-state students pay about $12,004. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $11,306. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Cerritos College generally make around $29,495. Set against $11,306 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Pasadena City College placed #10 among the best values for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. Set in the city of Pasadena, Pasadena City College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,180, while out-of-state students pay about $10,924. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $9,191. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $28,492. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Sacramento City College landed the #11 spot for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting value this year. Set in the city of Sacramento, Sacramento City College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,288, while out-of-state students pay about $12,616. Students borrow a median of $11,760 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Sacramento City College earn a median of $31,146 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,760 median debt.
Moreno Valley College came in at #12 for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Set in the suburb of Moreno Valley, Moreno Valley College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,428 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,498. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $12,643 in student loans. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Moreno Valley College earn a median of $81,339 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,643 median debt.
Oxnard College placed #13 among the best values for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. Oxnard College is a large public school located in the city of Oxnard. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,426, while out-of-state students pay about $9,615. Median earnings reach $41,393 ten years out.
Mt San Antonio College earned the #14 position for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Mt San Antonio College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Walnut. In-state tuition and fees average $1,364, with out-of-state students paying around $10,464. Students borrow a median of $9,384 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Mt San Antonio College generally make around $33,692. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Frederick Community College came in at #15 for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Frederick Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Frederick. Students from in state pay about $3,849 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,042 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $10,778. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Frederick Community College generally make around $43,733. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Yuba College placed #16 among the best values for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. Set in the suburb of Marysville, Yuba College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,128, while out-of-state students pay about $8,208. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $8,729. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $62,350. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Suffolk County Community College placed #17 among the best values for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. Suffolk County Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Selden. Students from in state pay about $6,630 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,460. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $7,625. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Suffolk County Community College earn a median of $31,617 early in their careers. Set against $7,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
St Petersburg College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. Located in the city of St. Petersburg, St Petersburg College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,682, with out-of-state students paying around $9,286. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $13,710 in student loans. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of St Petersburg College earn a median of $55,704 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,710 median debt.
Skyline College placed #19 among the best values for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. Skyline College is a large public school located in the suburb of San Bruno. Students from in state pay about $1,332 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,956. Graduates go on to earn a median of $55,702 ten years after entry.
Gavilan College placed #20 among the best values for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. Set in the rural area of Gilroy, Gavilan College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,508, with out-of-state students paying around $12,249. Students borrow a median of $5,939 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Gavilan College generally make around $28,496. That is a strong return on a $5,939 median debt.
Middlesex Community College Bedford ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. Set in the suburb of Bedford, Middlesex Community College Bedford is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,098, while out-of-state students pay about $12,170. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $10,950 in student loans. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Middlesex Community College Bedford generally make around $41,796. Set against $10,950 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Fresno City College earned the #22 position for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Set in the city of Fresno, Fresno City College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,378, with out-of-state students paying around $8,638. Students borrow a median of $6,187 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $32,658. That is a strong return on a $6,187 median debt.
Shasta College placed #23 among the best values for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. Located in the suburb of Redding, Shasta College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,197 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,853. Students borrow a median of $12,275 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Shasta College earn a median of $50,330 early in their careers. Set against $12,275 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Seminole State College Of Florida came in at #24 for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Seminole State College Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Sanford. Students from in state pay about $3,122 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,447. Students borrow a median of $12,942 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $36,589. That is a strong return on a $12,942 median debt.
Northern Essex Community College placed #25 among the best values for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. Located in the suburb of Haverhill, Northern Essex Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,732, while out-of-state students pay about $12,516. Students borrow a median of $7,432 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $39,426. Set against $7,432 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting:
The ranking above is published 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 · 2070 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 745 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).
[Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting](/majors/protective-security-safety-services/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
