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

56 Colleges in the United States
$18,644 Avg Student Debt
$46,713 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting Badge [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.

College Factual analyzed 123 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools.

What’s on this page:

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

If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degrees they offer, see the list below.

Best Value Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting Schools

1

For return on investment in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting, no school beat Texas A And M University Central Texas this year. Texas A And M University Central Texas is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Killeen. Students from in state pay about $7,363 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,155. Students borrow a median of $24,750 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Texas A And M University Central Texas earn a median of $45,976 early in their careers. Texas A And M University Central Texas admits about 100% of applicants.

2

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Texas A And M International University earned it the #2 place for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. Set in the city of Laredo, Texas A And M International University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,894, compared with $19,454 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $15,500. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Texas A And M International University generally make around $38,668. That is a strong return on a $15,500 median debt. Roughly 44% of applicants are accepted.

3
College Of The Mainland crest
College Of The Mainland
Texas City, TX

College Of The Mainland is a great value for students pursuing a degree in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting, landing the #3 spot this year. College Of The Mainland is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Texas City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,310, with out-of-state students paying around $4,140. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $10,928. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of College Of The Mainland earn a median of $48,704 early in their careers. Set against $10,928 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

4
Del Mar College crest
Del Mar College
Corpus Christi, TX

Del Mar College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting, landing the #4 spot this year. Del Mar College is a large public school located in the city of Corpus Christi. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,500, with out-of-state students paying around $6,050. Students borrow a median of $6,250 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Del Mar College generally make around $40,661. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

5

Students looking for strong value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting will find it at Alvin Community College, which ranked #5. Located in the suburb of Alvin, Alvin Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,906, compared with $4,402 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,600 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Alvin Community College earn a median of $67,797 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

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6

South Texas College placed #6 among the best values for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. South Texas College is a very large public school located in the city of McAllen. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,920, with out-of-state students paying around $7,620. Students borrow a median of $6,500 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $37,432. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

7

Lamar State College Orange placed #7 among the best values for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. Set in the town of Orange, Lamar State College Orange is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,832 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $13,824. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $18,506 in student loans. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $45,299. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

8
El Centro College crest
El Centro College
Dallas, TX

El Centro College placed #8 among the best values for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. Located in the city of Dallas, El Centro College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,730, while out-of-state students pay about $6,900. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $13,727 in student loans. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $36,386. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

9

El Paso Community College placed #9 among the best values for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. El Paso Community College is a very large public school located in the city of El Paso. Students from in state pay about $3,274 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,314 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $6,084 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from El Paso Community College generally make around $25,846. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

10

Laredo Community College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. Laredo Community College is a large public school located in the city of Laredo. In-state tuition and fees average $3,300, with out-of-state students paying around $5,748. Students borrow a median of $6,000 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $48,194. That is a strong return on a $6,000 median debt.

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11

Trinity Valley Community College came in at #11 for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Trinity Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Athens. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,640, compared with $5,970 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $14,750. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Trinity Valley Community College earn a median of $32,623 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,750 median debt.

12

Wharton County Junior College came in at #12 for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Wharton County Junior College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Wharton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,192, compared with $5,904 for out-of-state students. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $8,753 in student loans. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $55,919. That is a strong return on a $8,753 median debt.

13
Grayson College crest
Grayson College
Denison, TX

Grayson College came in at #13 for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Set in the rural area of Denison, Grayson College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,000, with out-of-state students paying around $6,300. Students borrow a median of $11,627 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Grayson College earn a median of $42,487 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

14

Tarrant County College District landed the #14 spot for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting value this year. Located in the city of Fort Worth, Tarrant County College District is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,863, while out-of-state students pay about $8,370. Students borrow a median of $16,262 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Tarrant County College District earn a median of $32,315 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

15

Central Texas College landed the #15 spot for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting value this year. Central Texas College is a large public school located in the suburb of Killeen. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,750, while out-of-state students pay about $7,500. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $10,521 in student loans. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $39,465. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

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San Antonio College crest
San Antonio College
San Antonio, TX

San Antonio College earned the #16 position for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Located in the city of San Antonio, San Antonio College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,412 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,952 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $13,003. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $43,712. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

17
Amarillo College crest
Amarillo College
Amarillo, TX

Amarillo College earned the #17 position for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Set in the city of Amarillo, Amarillo College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,136, while out-of-state students pay about $4,704. Students borrow a median of $16,624 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Amarillo College generally make around $42,434. Set against $16,624 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

18

The University Of Texas Pan American placed #18 among the best values for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. Set in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,799, while out-of-state students pay about $19,645. Students borrow a median of $11,644 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of The University Of Texas Pan American earn a median of $35,314 early in their careers. Set against $11,644 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.

19

Mclennan Community College landed the #19 spot for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting value this year. Located in the city of Waco, Mclennan Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,660, with out-of-state students paying around $5,910. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $11,953 in student loans. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Mclennan Community College earn a median of $35,016 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

20
Midland College crest
Midland College
Midland, TX

Midland College earned the #20 position for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Set in the city of Midland, Midland College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,180, while out-of-state students pay about $6,180. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $9,000 in student loans. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Midland College earn a median of $43,454 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,000 median debt.

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21

Austin Community College District came in at #21 for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Set in the city of Austin, Austin Community College District is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,550, while out-of-state students pay about $10,590. Students borrow a median of $15,918 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Austin Community College District generally make around $46,255. That is a strong return on a $15,918 median debt.

22

The University Of Texas At Brownsville placed #22 among the best values for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. The University Of Texas At Brownsville is a large public school located in the city of Brownsville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,148, with out-of-state students paying around $4,948. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $8,000 in student loans. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of The University Of Texas At Brownsville earn a median of $25,923 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,000 median debt.

23
Temple College crest
Temple College
Temple, TX

Temple College landed the #23 spot for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting value this year. Set in the city of Temple, Temple College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,000, with out-of-state students paying around $7,524. Students borrow a median of $11,500 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Temple College generally make around $55,262. Set against $11,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

24

North Central Texas College came in at #24 for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Located in the town of Gainesville, North Central Texas College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,600, with out-of-state students paying around $5,739. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $15,965. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $43,536. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

25

Houston Community College landed the #25 spot for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting value this year. Located in the city of Houston, Houston Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,040 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,460. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $13,925. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Houston Community College earn a median of $55,538 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,925 median debt.

Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting Schools

Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting:

26
South Plains College crest
South Plains College
Levelland, TX
27
28
Lee College crest
Lee College
Baytown, TX
29
30
31
Hill College crest
Hill College
Hillsboro, TX
32
33
Texarkana College crest
Texarkana College
Texarkana, TX
34
Galveston College crest
Galveston College
Galveston, TX
35
36
37
Howard College crest
Howard College
Big Spring, TX
38
Lone Star College System crest
Lone Star College System
The Woodlands, TX
39
40
41
Odessa College crest
Odessa College
Odessa, TX
42
Weatherford College crest
Weatherford College
Weatherford, TX
43
Angelina College crest
Angelina College
Lufkin, TX
44
45
46
47
48
Cisco College crest
Cisco College
Cisco, TX
49
50
Lamar University crest
Lamar University
Beaumont, TX

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Notes and References

This list is compiled 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 · 123 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 56 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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