2026 Best Value Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting Schools in Iowa
[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.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 32 schools to find the best return on investment for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting students.
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2026 Best Value Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting Schools in Iowa
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
Western Iowa Tech Community College earned the #1 spot for value among homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools in Iowa. Western Iowa Tech Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Sioux City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,186, while out-of-state students pay about $5,330. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $11,500 in student loans. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Western Iowa Tech Community College earn a median of $43,547 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,500 median debt.
North Iowa Area Community College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. Located in the rural area of Mason City, North Iowa Area Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,653, with out-of-state students paying around $9,551. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $12,043. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $44,466. Set against $12,043 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting will find it at Iowa Central Community College, which ranked #3. Located in the town of Fort Dodge, Iowa Central Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,496, with out-of-state students paying around $7,788. Students borrow a median of $14,473 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Iowa Central Community College earn a median of $39,121 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,473 median debt.
A rank of #4 makes Kirkwood Community College one of the best values for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. Kirkwood Community College is a large public school located in the city of Cedar Rapids. In-state tuition and fees average $6,176, with out-of-state students paying around $8,220. Students borrow a median of $15,779 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Kirkwood Community College generally make around $41,681. Set against $15,779 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Hawkeye Community College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. Located in the rural area of Waterloo, Hawkeye Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,525, while out-of-state students pay about $6,612. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Hawkeye Community College earn a median of $49,572 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Eastern Iowa Community College District landed the #6 spot for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting value this year. Set in the city of Davenport, Eastern Iowa Community College District is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,848, while out-of-state students pay about $6,456. Students borrow a median of $15,995 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Eastern Iowa Community College District earn a median of $41,510 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,995 median debt.
Des Moines Area Community College earned the #7 position for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Located in the suburb of Ankeny, Des Moines Area Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,790, while out-of-state students pay about $6,690. Students borrow a median of $12,534 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Des Moines Area Community College generally make around $44,364. That is a strong return on a $12,534 median debt.
University Of Northern Iowa placed #8 among the best values for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. Located in the city of Cedar Falls, University Of Northern Iowa is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,936, compared with $21,712 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $43,748. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. University Of Northern Iowa admits about 93% of applicants.
Iowa Western Community College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. Iowa Western Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Council Bluffs. In-state tuition and fees average $6,930, compared with $7,080 for out-of-state students. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $15,153 in student loans. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $43,444. That is a strong return on a $15,153 median debt.
Iowa State University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. Located in the city of Ames, Iowa State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,787 in tuition and fees, compared with $28,881 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $41,624. That is a strong return on a $23,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Graceland University Lamoni landed the #11 spot for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting value this year. Graceland University Lamoni is a small private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Lamoni. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $19,848. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $27,509. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $63,443. Set against $27,509 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
Briar Cliff University earned the #12 position for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Located in the city of Sioux City, Briar Cliff University is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $35,642 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $29,918. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Briar Cliff University generally make around $61,105. Set against $29,918 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Grand View University placed #13 among the best values for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. Located in the city of Des Moines, Grand View University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $34,762 in tuition and fees. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $26,485 in student loans. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Grand View University earn a median of $45,175 early in their careers. Set against $26,485 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Grand View University admits about 99% of applicants.
Waldorf College landed the #14 spot for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting value this year. Located in the rural area of Forest City, Waldorf College is a mid-sized private for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $25,978. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $25,979. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $52,358. That is a strong return on a $25,979 median debt. Waldorf College admits about 77% of applicants.
Simpson College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. Set in the town of Indianola, Simpson College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $47,656 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Simpson College earn a median of $42,862 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Saint Ambrose University ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. Saint Ambrose University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Davenport. In-state tuition and fees average $36,658. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $27,528. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Saint Ambrose University earn a median of $43,579 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,528 median debt. The acceptance rate is 77%.
University Of Dubuque earned the #17 position for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Set in the city of Dubuque, University Of Dubuque is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $42,095. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $27,000. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $46,307. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Mount Mercy University ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. Mount Mercy University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cedar Rapids. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $40,878. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $25,500. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Mount Mercy University earn a median of $48,841 early in their careers. Set against $25,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Mount Mercy University admits about 82% of applicants.
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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 · 32 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 10 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.
