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. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 22 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.
Leading the list is Copiah Lincoln Community College, our #1 best value for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting in Mississippi. Copiah Lincoln Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Wesson. In-state tuition and fees average $4,200, while out-of-state students pay about $5,200. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $31,241.
A rank of #2 makes Itawamba Community College one of the best values for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. Itawamba Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Fulton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,420, with out-of-state students paying around $5,820. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $10,942 in student loans. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Itawamba Community College earn a median of $32,996 early in their careers. Set against $10,942 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting will find it at East Mississippi Community College, which ranked #3. Set in the rural area of Scooba, East Mississippi Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,095 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,445 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $9,422. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $34,012. Set against $9,422 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Holmes Community College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. Located in the rural area of Goodman, Holmes Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,710, with out-of-state students paying around $6,610. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $13,191 in student loans. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $24,853. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #5 makes Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College one of the best values for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. Located in the rural area of Perkinston, Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,250, compared with $7,850 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,000 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College generally make around $28,817. That is a strong return on a $10,000 median debt.
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Northwest Mississippi Community College placed #6 among the best values for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. Northwest Mississippi Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Senatobia. In-state tuition and fees average $3,740. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $9,990. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $35,001. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Mississippi Main Campus ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. Located in the town of University, University Of Mississippi Main Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,772, with out-of-state students paying around $28,600. Students borrow a median of $22,171 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $40,243. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
Delta State University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. Located in the town of Cleveland, Delta State University is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $8,605 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,896 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Delta State University generally make around $41,580. That is a strong return on a $25,896 median debt. The acceptance rate is 100%.
University Of Southern Mississippi ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. Set in the city of Hattiesburg, University Of Southern Mississippi is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,998, while out-of-state students pay about $11,998. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $21,125. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of University Of Southern Mississippi earn a median of $36,315 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Southern Mississippi admits about 99% of applicants.
Alcorn State University earned the #10 position for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Located in the rural area of Alcorn State, Alcorn State University is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,785. Students borrow a median of $28,065 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $30,617. Set against $28,065 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.
Jackson State University came in at #11 for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Located in the city of Jackson, Jackson State University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $8,965 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,965. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $27,101. That is a strong return on a $31,000 median debt. Jackson State University admits about 93% of applicants.
Mississippi College landed the #12 spot for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting value this year. Located in the suburb of Clinton, Mississippi College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $23,500. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Mississippi College generally make around $37,324. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 29%.
This ranking is produced 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 · 22 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 9 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.