by our College Data Analytics Team
[Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting](/majors/protective-security-safety-services/) 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 35 schools to find the best return on investment 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.
Our analysis ranked Bates Technical College the best value for a degree in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting in Washington. Bates Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Tacoma. Students from in state pay about $6,027 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,165. Graduates go on to earn a median of $50,051 ten years after entry.
Clover Park Technical College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. Clover Park Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Lakewood. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,634. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $15,154 in student loans. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Clover Park Technical College generally make around $42,209. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Spokane Community College earned it the #3 place for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. Set in the city of Spokane, Spokane Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,461, compared with $6,612 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $16,486. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $41,451. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Skagit Valley College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. Set in the city of Mount Vernon, Skagit Valley College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,400, compared with $7,410 for out-of-state students. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $14,056 in student loans. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Skagit Valley College generally make around $44,860. Set against $14,056 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #5 makes Seattle Community College North Campus one of the best values for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. Set in the city of Seattle, Seattle Community College North Campus is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,238, while out-of-state students pay about $5,796. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $16,643 in student loans. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $48,739. Set against $16,643 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
1
2
3
4
5
University Of Washington Tacoma Campus ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. Located in the city of Tacoma, University Of Washington Tacoma Campus is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,168, compared with $43,404 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,269 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of University Of Washington Tacoma Campus earn a median of $40,669 early in their careers. Set against $15,269 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Shoreline Community College came in at #7 for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Set in the suburb of Shoreline, Shoreline Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,115, with out-of-state students paying around $7,905. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $16,700. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Shoreline Community College generally make around $62,009. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Pierce College At Fort Steilacoom came in at #8 for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Located in the city of Lakewood, Pierce College At Fort Steilacoom is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,418, with out-of-state students paying around $5,976. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $17,154 in student loans. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Pierce College At Fort Steilacoom generally make around $39,975. Set against $17,154 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Everett Community College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. Located in the city of Everett, Everett Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,032 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,171. Students borrow a median of $13,542 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Everett Community College generally make around $47,441. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Green River Community College placed #10 among the best values for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. Set in the city of Auburn, Green River Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,711, with out-of-state students paying around $5,263. Graduates go on to earn a median of $50,712 ten years after entry.
Heritage University landed the #11 spot for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting value this year. Set in the rural area of Toppenish, Heritage University is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $20,928. Students borrow a median of $19,988 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Heritage University earn a median of $67,426 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,988 median debt.
Central Washington University came in at #12 for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Central Washington University is a very large public school located in the town of Ellensburg. Students from in state pay about $9,417 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $27,526. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $21,954. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $44,172. That is a strong return on a $21,954 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Saint Martins University landed the #13 spot for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting value this year. Located in the city of Lacey, Saint Martins University is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $45,510 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $22,818. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $60,864. That is a strong return on a $22,818 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Seattle University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. Set in the city of Seattle, Seattle University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $56,721. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $21,176 in student loans. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Seattle University earn a median of $48,236 early in their careers. Set against $21,176 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
City University Of Seattle landed the #15 spot for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting value this year. Set in the city of Seattle, City University Of Seattle is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,929. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $18,000. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of City University Of Seattle earn a median of $76,698 early in their careers. Set against $18,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 35 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 5 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.