2026 Best Value Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting Schools in Colorado

[Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting](/majors/protective-security-safety-services/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. 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 29 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting students.
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2026 Best Value Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting Schools in Colorado
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting Schools
For return on investment in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting, no school beat Colorado Mountain College this year. Located in the town of Glenwood Springs, Colorado Mountain College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,616, compared with $12,840 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Colorado Mountain College earn a median of $68,129 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Community College Of Aurora is a great value for students pursuing a degree in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Aurora, Community College Of Aurora is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,470 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,070. Students borrow a median of $15,365 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Community College Of Aurora generally make around $38,587. Set against $15,365 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting will find it at Red Rocks Community College, which ranked #3. Set in the suburb of Lakewood, Red Rocks Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,859, while out-of-state students pay about $17,459. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $17,667 in student loans. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Red Rocks Community College generally make around $72,583. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Aims Community College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. Aims Community College is a large public school located in the city of Greeley. In-state tuition and fees average $2,258, compared with $11,786 for out-of-state students. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $9,125 in student loans. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $56,378. Set against $9,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Community College Of Denver is a great value for students pursuing a degree in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Denver, Community College Of Denver is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,058, with out-of-state students paying around $17,658. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $18,830. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Community College Of Denver generally make around $45,202. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Pikes Peak Community College placed #6 among the best values for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. Pikes Peak Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Colorado Springs. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,510, compared with $17,110 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $16,066. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Pikes Peak Community College earn a median of $50,546 early in their careers. Set against $16,066 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Arapahoe Community College earned the #7 position for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Arapahoe Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Littleton. Students from in state pay about $4,434 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,034. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $21,351. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $54,371. Set against $21,351 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Delta Montrose Technical College came in at #8 for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Located in the rural area of Delta, Delta Montrose Technical College is a small public university. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $4,750 in student loans. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $56,589. Set against $4,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Front Range Community College came in at #9 for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Located in the suburb of Westminster, Front Range Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,663 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,263. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $24,774 in student loans. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Front Range Community College earn a median of $69,776 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,774 median debt.
Pueblo Community College landed the #10 spot for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting value this year. Set in the city of Pueblo, Pueblo Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,049, while out-of-state students pay about $17,649. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $7,656 in student loans. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $52,241. That is a strong return on a $7,656 median debt.
Trinidad State Junior College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. Located in the town of Trinidad, Trinidad State Junior College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,608, compared with $7,318 for out-of-state students. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $10,502 in student loans. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Trinidad State Junior College earn a median of $42,381 early in their careers. Set against $10,502 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Otero Junior College landed the #12 spot for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting value this year. Otero Junior College is a small public school located in the town of La Junta. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,560, compared with $7,270 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,759 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $50,431. That is a strong return on a $21,759 median debt.
Colorado State University Global Campus ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. Set in the city of Denver, Colorado State University Global Campus is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,000 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $38,276. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Colorado State University Global Campus generally make around $63,568. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
Metropolitan State College Of Denver ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. Metropolitan State College Of Denver is a very large public school located in the city of Denver. In-state tuition and fees average $11,124, compared with $30,684 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $26,130. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Metropolitan State College Of Denver earn a median of $44,497 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
Mesa State College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. Set in the city of Grand Junction, Mesa State College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,927, compared with $25,124 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $18,000. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Mesa State College earn a median of $51,921 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Colorado Technical University Colorado Springs placed #16 among the best values for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. Colorado Technical University Colorado Springs is a very large private for-profit school located in the city of Colorado Springs. In-state tuition and fees average $12,750. Students borrow a median of $50,705 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Colorado Technical University Colorado Springs generally make around $40,342. Set against $50,705 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs landed the #17 spot for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting value this year. University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs is a large public school located in the city of Colorado Springs. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,906, while out-of-state students pay about $25,039. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $18,625. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $42,199. That is a strong return on a $18,625 median debt. University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs admits about 97% of applicants.
University Of Northern Colorado ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. Located in the city of Greeley, University Of Northern Colorado is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,901, with out-of-state students paying around $26,979. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $18,568 in student loans. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of University Of Northern Colorado earn a median of $38,422 early in their careers. Set against $18,568 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Colorado Denver placed #19 among the best values for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. Located in the city of Denver, University Of Colorado Denver is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,383 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $29,391. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $22,250 in student loans. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of University Of Colorado Denver earn a median of $45,814 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 75%.
Regis University placed #20 among the best values for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. Regis University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Denver. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $28,140. Students borrow a median of $31,773 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $72,028. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Regis University admits about 86% of applicants.
Colorado Christian University placed #21 among the best values for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. Colorado Christian University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Lakewood. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $28,846. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $48,125. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $47,333. Set against $48,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Denver ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. Set in the city of Denver, University Of Denver is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $61,398. Students borrow a median of $22,534 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of University Of Denver earn a median of $56,999 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,534 median debt. The acceptance rate is 78%.
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Notes and References
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 · 29 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 9 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.