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

1

Wytheville Community College
Wytheville, VA

Our analysis ranked Wytheville Community College the best value for a degree in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting in Virginia. Located in the town of Wytheville, Wytheville Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,007, while out-of-state students pay about $11,445. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $9,542. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Wytheville Community College generally make around $38,907. Set against $9,542 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

2

J Sargeant Reynolds Community College
Richmond, VA

J Sargeant Reynolds Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Richmond, J Sargeant Reynolds Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,280, while out-of-state students pay about $11,718. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $16,131 in student loans. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of J Sargeant Reynolds Community College earn a median of $36,965 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,131 median debt.

3

Patrick Henry Community College
Martinsville, VA

Patrick Henry Community College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. Located in the rural area of Martinsville, Patrick Henry Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,002, while out-of-state students pay about $11,440. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $11,235 in student loans. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Patrick Henry Community College generally make around $33,358. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

4

John Tyler Community College
Chester, VA

A rank of #4 makes John Tyler Community College one of the best values for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. John Tyler Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Chester. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,082, with out-of-state students paying around $11,520. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $11,262 in student loans. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of John Tyler Community College earn a median of $33,766 early in their careers. Set against $11,262 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

5

Central Virginia Community College
Lynchburg, VA

A rank of #5 makes Central Virginia Community College one of the best values for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. Set in the city of Lynchburg, Central Virginia Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,157 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,595. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $10,384. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Central Virginia Community College generally make around $32,309. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

6

Lord Fairfax Community College
Middletown, VA

Lord Fairfax Community College landed the #6 spot for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting value this year. Located in the rural area of Middletown, Lord Fairfax Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,072, with out-of-state students paying around $11,510. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $10,698. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $37,531. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

7

New River Community College
Dublin, VA

New River Community College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. New River Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Dublin. In-state tuition and fees average $4,979, with out-of-state students paying around $11,417. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $13,132. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from New River Community College generally make around $46,892. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

8

Germanna Community College
Locust Grove, VA

Germanna Community College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. Set in the rural area of Locust Grove, Germanna Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,257, while out-of-state students pay about $11,648. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $10,999 in student loans. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $41,880. Set against $10,999 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

9

Southside Virginia Community College
Alberta, VA

Southside Virginia Community College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. Southside Virginia Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Alberta. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,007, while out-of-state students pay about $11,445. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $7,467. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $29,666. That is a strong return on a $7,467 median debt.

10

Piedmont Virginia Community College
Charlottesville, VA

Piedmont Virginia Community College earned the #10 position for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Located in the suburb of Charlottesville, Piedmont Virginia Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,072, while out-of-state students pay about $11,510. Students borrow a median of $12,495 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Piedmont Virginia Community College generally make around $46,129. That is a strong return on a $12,495 median debt.

11

Northern Virginia Community College
Annandale, VA

Northern Virginia Community College came in at #11 for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Located in the suburb of Annandale, Northern Virginia Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,891, with out-of-state students paying around $12,410. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $25,999 in student loans. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $40,126. Set against $25,999 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

12

Tidewater Community College
Norfolk, VA

Tidewater Community College landed the #12 spot for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting value this year. Located in the city of Norfolk, Tidewater Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,858, with out-of-state students paying around $12,296. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $14,795. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $26,965. Set against $14,795 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

13

Danville Community College
Danville, VA

Danville Community College came in at #13 for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Located in the town of Danville, Danville Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,992, compared with $11,430 for out-of-state students. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $9,494 in student loans. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Danville Community College earn a median of $44,922 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

14

Blue Ridge Community College Weyers Cave
Weyers Cave, VA

Blue Ridge Community College Weyers Cave earned the #14 position for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Located in the rural area of Weyers Cave, Blue Ridge Community College Weyers Cave is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,646, compared with $12,084 for out-of-state students. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $11,768 in student loans. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Blue Ridge Community College Weyers Cave generally make around $40,020. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

15

Mountain Empire Community College
Big Stone Gap, VA

Mountain Empire Community College came in at #15 for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Mountain Empire Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Big Stone Gap. Students from in state pay about $5,007 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,445 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $9,036. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $36,988. That is a strong return on a $9,036 median debt.

16

George Mason University
Fairfax, VA

George Mason University ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. Located in the suburb of Fairfax, George Mason University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,220, while out-of-state students pay about $38,688. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $21,487 in student loans. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $51,385. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.

17

Radford University
Radford, VA

Radford University landed the #17 spot for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting value this year. Radford University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Radford. In-state tuition and fees average $12,548, while out-of-state students pay about $25,633. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $35,935. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.

18

Southwest Virginia Community College
Cedar Bluff, VA

Southwest Virginia Community College earned the #18 position for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Southwest Virginia Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Cedar Bluff. Students from in state pay about $5,075 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,513. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Southwest Virginia Community College earn a median of $32,277 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

19

Virginia State University
Petersburg, VA

Virginia State University earned the #19 position for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Virginia State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Petersburg. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,043, with out-of-state students paying around $22,650. Students borrow a median of $30,000 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $34,604. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Virginia State University admits about 89% of applicants.

20

Virginia Commonwealth University
Richmond, VA

Virginia Commonwealth University landed the #20 spot for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting value this year. Set in the city of Richmond, Virginia Commonwealth University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $16,720 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $39,884. Students borrow a median of $23,640 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $38,932. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Virginia Commonwealth University admits about 93% of applicants.

21

Regent University
Virginia Beach, VA

Regent University placed #21 among the best values for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. Located in the city of Virginia Beach, Regent University is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $21,650. Students borrow a median of $21,237 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Regent University earn a median of $56,406 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,237 median debt. Regent University admits about 38% of applicants.

22

James Madison University
Harrisonburg, VA

James Madison University earned the #22 position for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Set in the city of Harrisonburg, James Madison University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,966 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $31,312. Students borrow a median of $21,218 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of James Madison University earn a median of $52,997 early in their careers. Set against $21,218 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 72%.

23

Ecpi University
Virginia Beach, VA

Ecpi University placed #23 among the best values for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. Located in the city of Virginia Beach, Ecpi University is a large private for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $18,484 in tuition and fees. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $29,903 in student loans. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Ecpi University earn a median of $36,287 early in their careers. Set against $29,903 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Ecpi University admits about 74% of applicants.

24

Longwood University
Farmville, VA

Longwood University earned the #24 position for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Set in the town of Farmville, Longwood University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,740, while out-of-state students pay about $27,980. Students borrow a median of $23,375 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $36,254. That is a strong return on a $23,375 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.

25

Virginia Wesleyan College
Virginia Beach, VA

Virginia Wesleyan College ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. Virginia Wesleyan College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Virginia Beach. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $37,500. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Virginia Wesleyan College generally make around $39,404. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted.