by our College Data Analytics Team
[Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting](/majors/protective-security-safety-services/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 2070 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting, balancing cost against outcomes.
Grossmont College earned the #1 spot for value among homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools in the United States. Set in the suburb of El Cajon, Grossmont College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,332, while out-of-state students pay about $10,628. Graduates go on to earn a median of $40,309 ten years after entry.
A rank of #2 makes College Of San Mateo one of the best values for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. Located in the city of San Mateo, College Of San Mateo is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,332, compared with $11,428 for out-of-state students. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $12,831 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $54,172. That is a strong return on a $12,831 median debt.
A rank of #3 makes Moraine Valley Community College one of the best values for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. Moraine Valley Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Palos Hills. Students from in state pay about $3,822 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,846. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $11,149 in student loans. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $43,844. Set against $11,149 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of The Canyons came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. Set in the suburb of Santa Clarita, College Of The Canyons is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,166, with out-of-state students paying around $10,958. Students borrow a median of $9,776 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from College Of The Canyons generally make around $51,913. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #5 makes Moorpark College one of the best values for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. Located in the suburb of Moorpark, Moorpark College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,426, with out-of-state students paying around $9,615. Students borrow a median of $17,075 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. 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.
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Lansing Community College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. Set in the city of Lansing, Lansing Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,100, while out-of-state students pay about $11,300. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $16,700 in student loans. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Lansing Community College earn a median of $46,103 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,700 median debt.
Cerritos College placed #7 among the best values for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. Cerritos College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Norwalk. In-state tuition and fees average $1,364, while out-of-state students pay about $12,004. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $11,306 in student loans. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $29,495. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mt San Antonio College earned the #8 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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,364, while out-of-state students pay about $10,464. Students borrow a median of $9,384 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Mt San Antonio College earn a median of $33,692 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,384 median debt.
Fresno City College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. Located in the city of Fresno, Fresno City College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,378, while out-of-state students pay about $8,638. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $6,187 in student loans. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Fresno City College generally make around $29,467. That is a strong return on a $6,187 median debt.
Pasadena City College came in at #10 for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Located in the city of Pasadena, Pasadena City College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,180, compared with $10,924 for out-of-state students. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $9,191 in student loans. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $28,492. That is a strong return on a $9,191 median debt.
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, with out-of-state students paying around $12,616. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $11,760 in student loans. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Sacramento City College earn a median of $31,146 early in their careers. Set against $11,760 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Oxnard College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. Set in the city of Oxnard, Oxnard College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,426 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,615. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $41,393.
Northern Essex Community College placed #13 among the best values for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. Northern Essex Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Haverhill. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,732, while out-of-state students pay about $12,516. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $7,432. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Northern Essex Community College generally make around $39,426. That is a strong return on a $7,432 median debt.
Frederick Community College came in at #14 for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Located in the city of Frederick, Frederick Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,849, 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.
Gavilan College landed the #15 spot for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting value this year. 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, compared with $12,249 for out-of-state students. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $5,939 in student loans. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Gavilan College earn a median of $28,496 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $5,939 median debt.
Suffolk County Community College placed #16 among the best values for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. Set in the suburb of Selden, Suffolk County Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,630, compared with $12,460 for out-of-state students. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $7,625 in student loans. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Suffolk County Community College earn a median of $31,617 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $7,625 median debt.
Skyline College landed the #17 spot for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting value this year. Set in the suburb of San Bruno, Skyline College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,332, compared with $9,956 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $55,702 ten years after entry.
Reedley College placed #18 among the best values for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. Set in the town of Reedley, Reedley College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,378, compared with $8,638 for out-of-state students. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $6,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Reedley College generally make around $30,520. Set against $6,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Middlesex Community College Bedford placed #19 among the best values for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. Middlesex Community College Bedford is a large public school located in the suburb of Bedford. In-state tuition and fees average $6,098, compared with $12,170 for out-of-state students. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $10,950 in student loans. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $41,796. Set against $10,950 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Victor Valley College landed the #20 spot for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting value this year. Victor Valley College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Victorville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,425, while out-of-state students pay about $10,125. Students borrow a median of $7,995 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Victor Valley College earn a median of $31,600 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Santa Rosa Junior College ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Rosa. In-state tuition and fees average $1,318, with out-of-state students paying around $11,308. Students borrow a median of $14,125 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Santa Rosa Junior College earn a median of $111,649 early in their careers. Set against $14,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Del Mar College came in at #22 for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Located in the city of Corpus Christi, Del Mar College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,500, compared with $6,050 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $6,250 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Del Mar College earn a median of $40,661 early in their careers. Set against $6,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Moreno Valley College ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. Moreno Valley College is a large public school located in the suburb of Moreno Valley. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,428, compared with $12,498 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,643 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Moreno Valley College generally make around $81,339. That is a strong return on a $12,643 median debt.
San Diego Miramar College came in at #24 for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego Miramar College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,146, with out-of-state students paying around $10,002. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $8,250. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $22,722. That is a strong return on a $8,250 median debt.
Chabot College landed the #25 spot for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting value this year. Chabot College is a large public school located in the suburb of Hayward. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,150, compared with $8,686 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $14,122. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $85,175. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting:
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A few more high-value homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools worth a look:
| Rank | College | Location | |
|---|---|---|---|
| #51 | Delta College | University Center, MI | Full Report |
| #52 | South Texas College | McAllen, TX | Full Report |
| #53 | Las Positas College | Livermore, CA | Full Report |
| #54 | Lewis And Clark Community College | Godfrey, IL | Full Report |
| #55 | Trident Technical College | Charleston, SC | Full Report |
| #56 | El Centro College | Dallas, TX | Full Report |
| #57 | Nassau Community College | Garden City, NY | Full Report |
| #58 | Central Piedmont Community College | Charlotte, NC | Full Report |
| #59 | Central New Mexico Community College | Albuquerque, NM | Full Report |
Explore the best-value homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools at other degree levels:
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 · 2070 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 291 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.