by our College Data Analytics Team
[Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting](/majors/protective-security-safety-services/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 13 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.
United Tribes Technical College tops our 2026 list of the best value homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools in North Dakota. Located in the suburb of Bismarck, United Tribes Technical College is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,232. Graduates go on to earn a median of $25,292 ten years after entry.
Lake Region State College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting, landing the #2 spot this year. Lake Region State College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Devils Lake. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,520. Students borrow a median of $10,131 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $57,765. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Minot State University earned it the #3 place for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. Minot State University is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Minot. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,702. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $26,343. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Minot State University earn a median of $45,579 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,343 median debt. Minot State University admits about 65% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at North Dakota State University Main Campus earned it the #4 place for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. North Dakota State University Main Campus is a large public school located in the city of Fargo. Students from in state pay about $10,910 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,564. Students borrow a median of $23,315 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from North Dakota State University Main Campus generally make around $38,092. Set against $23,315 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 95%.
Students looking for strong value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting will find it at University Of Mary, which ranked #5. University Of Mary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Bismarck. In-state tuition and fees average $22,356. Students borrow a median of $26,983 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of University Of Mary earn a median of $65,565 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Mary admits about 75% of applicants.
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University Of North Dakota earned the #6 position for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Set in the city of Grand Forks, University Of North Dakota is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,951 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,570. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $19,875 in student loans. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of University Of North Dakota earn a median of $42,825 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
This ranking is produced 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 · 13 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 2 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
