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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting Schools in the Far Western Region

59 Colleges in the United States
21,463 Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting Degrees Awarded
$48,667 Avg Early-Career Salary

Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.

For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 252 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting students pursuing a degree.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting in the Far Western Region

If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degrees they offer, see the list below.

Top Schools in Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting

1

University Of Southern California tops our 2026 ranking of the best homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Los Angeles. University Of Southern California graduates 92% of students within six years. There were roughly 124 homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting students who graduated with this degree at University Of Southern California in the most recent data year. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of University Of Southern California earn a median of $75,677 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $15,625. Read more about the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program at University Of Southern California

2

A rank of #2 makes University Of San Diego one of the top schools for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. Located in the city of San Diego, University Of San Diego is a large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 84% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 147 homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting students who graduated with this degree at University Of San Diego in the most recent data year. Graduates of the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program make about $141,202 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,795. See the full homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program report for University Of San Diego

3

Students looking for a strong homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program will find one at San Jose State University, which ranked #3. Set in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public institution. Roughly 69% of students complete a degree within six years here. San Jose State University awarded about 260 homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degrees in the most recent data year. Get the full homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting details for San Jose State University

4

A rank of #4 makes California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo one of the top schools for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a very large public school located in the suburb of San Luis Obispo. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo graduates 86% of students within six years. There were roughly 11 homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting students who graduated with this degree at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo in the most recent data year. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo earn a median of $61,010 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $19,273 to complete this degree. Read more about the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo

5
Sonoma State University crest
Sonoma State University
Rohnert Park, CA

A rank of #5 makes Sonoma State University one of the top schools for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. Set in the suburb of Rohnert Park, Sonoma State University is a moderately-sized public institution. About 58% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 64 homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting students who graduated with this degree at Sonoma State University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Sonoma State University generally make around $38,444. Typical student debt for the program is $20,000. See the full homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program report for Sonoma State University

6

California State University Sacramento ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. Set in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 56%. About 560 homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degrees were awarded at California State University Sacramento in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from California State University Sacramento generally make around $38,606. Students borrow a median of $13,745 to complete this degree. See the full homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program report for California State University Sacramento

7

California State University East Bay earned the #7 position for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. California State University East Bay is a large public school located in the suburb of Hayward. Roughly 48% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 119 homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degrees were awarded at California State University East Bay in the most recent year. Graduates of the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program make about $45,387 in their early career. California State University East Bay graduates carry a median of $15,500 in student loans. More information about a degree in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting from California State University East Bay

8

San Francisco State University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. San Francisco State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Francisco. About 50% of students finish within six years. San Francisco State University awarded about 168 homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program make about $42,211 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $13,518. More information about a degree in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting from San Francisco State University

9

Point Loma Nazarene University landed the #9 spot for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Set in the city of San Diego, Point Loma Nazarene University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Point Loma Nazarene University graduates 77% of students within six years. Point Loma Nazarene University awarded about 24 homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program make about $45,022 in their early career. Point Loma Nazarene University graduates carry a median of $14,000 in student loans. Get the full homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting details for Point Loma Nazarene University

10

California State University Long Beach ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. California State University Long Beach is a very large public school located in the city of Long Beach. California State University Long Beach graduates 69% of students within six years. About 375 homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degrees were awarded at California State University Long Beach in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from California State University Long Beach generally make around $40,842. California State University Long Beach graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. More information about a degree in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting from California State University Long Beach

11

California State University Fullerton earned the #11 position for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Set in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public institution. California State University Fullerton graduates 70% of students within six years. About 380 homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degrees were awarded at California State University Fullerton in the most recent year. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of California State University Fullerton earn a median of $34,570 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $11,000. See the full homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program report for California State University Fullerton

12

San Diego State University placed #12 among the best homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego State University is a very large public institution. Roughly 76% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 545 homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degrees were awarded at San Diego State University in the most recent year. Students who receive their homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree from San Diego State University earn around $33,261 in the first couple years of their career. San Diego State University graduates carry a median of $12,998 in student loans. Get the full homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting details for San Diego State University

13

University Of Nevada Reno ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. Set in the city of Reno, University Of Nevada Reno is a very large public institution. About 61% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 150 homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting students who graduated with this degree at University Of Nevada Reno in the most recent data year. Students who receive their homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree from University Of Nevada Reno earn around $50,691 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $19,918. Get the full homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting details for University Of Nevada Reno

14

California State University Chico ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. California State University Chico is a large public school located in the city of Chico. The six-year graduation rate is 63%. About 118 homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degrees were awarded at California State University Chico in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from California State University Chico generally make around $36,045. Typical student debt for the program is $16,331. More information about a degree in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting from California State University Chico

15

Santa Rosa Junior College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Rosa. There were roughly 660 homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting students who graduated with this degree at Santa Rosa Junior College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program make about $111,649 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $14,125 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting from Santa Rosa Junior College

16

California State University Stanislaus placed #16 among the best homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. California State University Stanislaus is a large public school located in the suburb of Turlock. Roughly 53% of students complete a degree within six years here. California State University Stanislaus awarded about 185 homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degrees in the most recent data year. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of California State University Stanislaus earn a median of $34,806 early in their careers. California State University Stanislaus graduates carry a median of $12,500 in student loans. See the full homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program report for California State University Stanislaus

17

Central Washington University landed the #17 spot for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Set in the town of Ellensburg, Central Washington University is a very large public institution. Central Washington University graduates 54% of students within six years. About 133 homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degrees were awarded at Central Washington University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Central Washington University generally make around $44,172. Central Washington University graduates carry a median of $21,954 in student loans. More information about a degree in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting from Central Washington University

18

California State University San Marcos landed the #18 spot for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Located in the suburb of San Marcos, California State University San Marcos is a large public university. Roughly 55% of students complete a degree within six years here. California State University San Marcos awarded about 18 homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from California State University San Marcos generally make around $48,726. Students borrow a median of $17,527 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting from California State University San Marcos

19

California State University Los Angeles landed the #19 spot for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Los Angeles. About 53% of students finish within six years. About 443 homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degrees were awarded at California State University Los Angeles in the most recent year. Graduates of the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program make about $33,411 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $11,686 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting from California State University Los Angeles

20

University Of California Davis came in at #20 for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Set in the suburb of Davis, University Of California Davis is a very large public institution. About 86% of students finish within six years. About 16 homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degrees were awarded at University Of California Davis in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from University Of California Davis generally make around $65,299. Typical student debt for the program is $14,404. See the full homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program report for University Of California Davis

21

University Of Washington Tacoma Campus earned the #21 position for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the city of Tacoma. Roughly 63% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 61 homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting students who graduated with this degree at University Of Washington Tacoma Campus in the most recent data year. Students who receive their homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree from University Of Washington Tacoma Campus earn around $40,669 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $15,269 to complete this degree. Read more about the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program at University Of Washington Tacoma Campus

22
Seattle University crest
Seattle University
Seattle, WA

Seattle University ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. Set in the city of Seattle, Seattle University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Seattle University graduates 76% of students within six years. About 70 homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degrees were awarded at Seattle University in the most recent year. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Seattle University earn a median of $48,236 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $21,176. Get the full homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting details for Seattle University

23
Grossmont College crest
Grossmont College
El Cajon, CA

Grossmont College came in at #23 for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Located in the suburb of El Cajon, Grossmont College is a large public university. Grossmont College awarded about 144 homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degrees in the most recent data year. More information about a degree in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting from Grossmont College

24

California State University Dominguez Hills came in at #24 for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. This large public university is located in the city of Carson. California State University Dominguez Hills graduates 43% of students within six years. There were roughly 198 homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting students who graduated with this degree at California State University Dominguez Hills in the most recent data year. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of California State University Dominguez Hills earn a median of $36,092 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $12,256. Get the full homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting details for California State University Dominguez Hills

25
College Of San Mateo crest
College Of San Mateo
San Mateo, CA

College Of San Mateo landed the #25 spot for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. This large public university is located in the city of San Mateo. College Of San Mateo awarded about 74 homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degrees in the most recent data year. College Of San Mateo graduates carry a median of $12,831 in student loans. Read more about the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program at College Of San Mateo

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

These schools also placed among the best for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year:

26
27
28
29
Sacramento City College crest
Sacramento City College
Sacramento, CA
30
31
Chabot College crest
Chabot College
Hayward, CA
32
33
Butte College crest
Butte College
Oroville, CA
34
De Anza College crest
De Anza College
Cupertino, CA
35
36
37
38
Yuba College crest
Yuba College
Marysville, CA
39
College Of The Canyons crest
College Of The Canyons
Santa Clarita, CA
40
41
42
43
44
45
Diablo Valley College crest
Diablo Valley College
Pleasant Hill, CA
46
47
48
Moorpark College crest
Moorpark College
Moorpark, CA
49
Los Angeles Pierce College crest
Los Angeles Pierce College
Woodland Hills, CA
50
Shasta College crest
Shasta College
Redding, CA

Additional Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting Award Winners

These schools also stood out for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting:

Rank School Location
#51 Southwestern College Chula Vista Chula Vista, CA
#52 College Of The Desert Palm Desert, CA
#59 Moreno Valley College Moreno Valley, CA
#63 College Of Southern Nevada Las Vegas, NV

Honorable Mentions

A few more homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools worth a look:

Narrow Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting Schools by State

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View All Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting Rankings >

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Notes and References

The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 252 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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