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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 Illinois

25 Colleges in the United States
2,989 Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting Degrees Awarded
$42,763 Avg Early-Career Salary

Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.

For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 78 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 Illinois

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting education in Illinois.

Top Schools in Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting

1

Leading the list is Illinois State University, our #1 school for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. Located in the suburb of Normal, Illinois State University is a very large public university. Roughly 64% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 174 homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting students who graduated with this degree at Illinois State University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Illinois State University generally make around $37,584. Typical student debt for the program is $22,531. Get the full homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting details for Illinois State University

2

University Of Illinois At Chicago is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting, ranking #2. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public institution. University Of Illinois At Chicago graduates 62% of students within six years. There were roughly 144 homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting students who graduated with this degree at University Of Illinois At Chicago in the most recent data year. Students who receive their homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree from University Of Illinois At Chicago earn around $34,551 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $15,875 to complete this degree. Get the full homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting details for University Of Illinois At Chicago

3
Aurora University crest
Aurora University
Aurora, IL

Students looking for a strong homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program will find one at Aurora University, which ranked #3. Aurora University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Aurora. Roughly 60% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 83 homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degrees were awarded at Aurora University in the most recent year. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Aurora University earn a median of $44,150 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $23,635 to complete this degree. Get the full homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting details for Aurora University

4

Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting, landing the #4 spot this year. This large public university is located in the town of Carbondale. About 60% of students finish within six years. Southern Illinois University Carbondale awarded about 52 homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program make about $104,017 in their early career. Southern Illinois University Carbondale graduates carry a median of $17,725 in student loans. See the full homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program report for Southern Illinois University Carbondale

5
Lewis University crest
Lewis University
Romeoville, IL

Lewis University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Romeoville. Lewis University graduates 67% of students within six years. About 121 homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degrees were awarded at Lewis University in the most recent year. Students who receive their homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree from Lewis University earn around $66,865 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $20,000 to complete this degree. Get the full homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting details for Lewis University

6

Northeastern Illinois University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. Located in the city of Chicago, Northeastern Illinois University is a moderately-sized public university. Roughly 22% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 34 homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting students who graduated with this degree at Northeastern Illinois University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program make about $40,719 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $13,625 to complete this degree. Get the full homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting details for Northeastern Illinois University

7

Western Illinois University earned the #7 position for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Located in the town of Macomb, Western Illinois University is a moderately-sized public university. Western Illinois University graduates 45% of students within six years. Western Illinois University awarded about 220 homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program make about $45,113 in their early career. Western Illinois University graduates carry a median of $25,699 in student loans. Get the full homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting details for Western Illinois University

8

Loyola University Chicago earned the #8 position for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Set in the city of Chicago, Loyola University Chicago is a large private not-for-profit institution. Loyola University Chicago graduates 75% of students within six years. Loyola University Chicago awarded about 102 homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program make about $42,719 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,000. See the full homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program report for Loyola University Chicago

9

Saint Xavier University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. Set in the city of Chicago, Saint Xavier University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 57% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 35 homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting students who graduated with this degree at Saint Xavier University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program make about $39,033 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. Get the full homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting details for Saint Xavier University

10

Eastern Illinois University came in at #10 for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Located in the town of Charleston, Eastern Illinois University is a large public university. About 47% of students finish within six years. Eastern Illinois University awarded about 54 homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Eastern Illinois University generally make around $40,489. Typical student debt for the program is $24,293. Get the full homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting details for Eastern Illinois University

11

University Of Illinois At Springfield landed the #11 spot for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Located in the city of Springfield, University Of Illinois At Springfield is a moderately-sized public university. About 52% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 26 homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting students who graduated with this degree at University Of Illinois At Springfield in the most recent data year. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of University Of Illinois At Springfield earn a median of $41,064 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $22,418. More information about a degree in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting from University Of Illinois At Springfield

12

Benedictine University came in at #12 for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Benedictine University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Lisle. Roughly 50% of students complete a degree within six years here. Benedictine University awarded about 10 homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program make about $46,020 in their early career. Benedictine University graduates carry a median of $25,979 in student loans. More information about a degree in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting from Benedictine University

13
Harper College crest
Harper College
Palatine, IL

Harper College earned the #13 position for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Located in the suburb of Palatine, Harper College is a very large public university. Harper College awarded about 76 homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree from Harper College earn around $38,474 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $10,963 to complete this degree. See the full homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program report for Harper College

14

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville came in at #14 for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. This large public university is located in the suburb of Edwardsville. Roughly 55% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 75 homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting students who graduated with this degree at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville in the most recent data year. Students who receive their homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville earn around $39,279 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,000. Read more about the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville

15

Moraine Valley Community College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. This large public university is located in the suburb of Palos Hills. Moraine Valley Community College awarded about 62 homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degrees in the most recent data year. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Moraine Valley Community College earn a median of $43,844 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $11,149. See the full homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program report for Moraine Valley Community College

16
Elmhurst College crest
Elmhurst College
Elmhurst, IL

Elmhurst College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. Set in the suburb of Elmhurst, Elmhurst College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 70%. There were roughly 23 homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting students who graduated with this degree at Elmhurst College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program make about $38,352 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. Read more about the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program at Elmhurst College

17

Roosevelt University placed #17 among the best homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Chicago. About 46% of students finish within six years. About 14 homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degrees were awarded at Roosevelt University in the most recent year. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Roosevelt University earn a median of $41,203 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $24,625. See the full homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program report for Roosevelt University

18
Governors State University crest
Governors State University
University Park, IL

Governors State University came in at #18 for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Located in the suburb of University Park, Governors State University is a moderately-sized public university. Roughly 21% of students complete a degree within six years here. Governors State University awarded about 48 homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Governors State University generally make around $42,456. Students borrow a median of $22,889 to complete this degree. Get the full homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting details for Governors State University

19
Illinois Central College crest
Illinois Central College
East Peoria, IL

Illinois Central College earned the #19 position for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. This large public university is located in the suburb of East Peoria. Illinois Central College awarded about 16 homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree from Illinois Central College earn around $53,190 in the first couple years of their career. Illinois Central College graduates carry a median of $12,222 in student loans. More information about a degree in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting from Illinois Central College

20

Waubonsee Community College placed #20 among the best homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. Located in the rural area of Sugar Grove, Waubonsee Community College is a large public university. About 75 homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degrees were awarded at Waubonsee Community College in the most recent year. Students who receive their homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree from Waubonsee Community College earn around $39,659 in the first couple years of their career. Waubonsee Community College graduates carry a median of $9,939 in student loans. Get the full homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting details for Waubonsee Community College

21

Elgin Community College ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. Located in the city of Elgin, Elgin Community College is a large public university. Elgin Community College awarded about 113 homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Elgin Community College generally make around $43,975. Students borrow a median of $7,727 to complete this degree. Read more about the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program at Elgin Community College

22
Oakton Community College crest
Oakton Community College
Des Plaines, IL

Oakton Community College ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. Located in the city of Des Plaines, Oakton Community College is a large public university. There were roughly 35 homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting students who graduated with this degree at Oakton Community College in the most recent data year. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Oakton Community College earn a median of $48,838 early in their careers. Oakton Community College graduates carry a median of $7,750 in student loans. Get the full homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting details for Oakton Community College

23

College Of Lake County placed #23 among the best homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. Set in the suburb of Grayslake, College Of Lake County is a very large public institution. There were roughly 33 homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting students who graduated with this degree at College Of Lake County in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from College Of Lake County generally make around $50,314. Typical student debt for the program is $9,785. Read more about the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program at College Of Lake County

24

Lewis And Clark Community College ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. Lewis And Clark Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Godfrey. Lewis And Clark Community College awarded about 63 homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degrees in the most recent data year. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Lewis And Clark Community College earn a median of $31,763 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $9,120. Get the full homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting details for Lewis And Clark Community College

25

Southwestern Illinois College earned the #25 position for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Located in the suburb of Belleville, Southwestern Illinois College is a large public university. Southwestern Illinois College awarded about 482 homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree from Southwestern Illinois College earn around $77,935 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $11,161. More information about a degree in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting from Southwestern Illinois College

Rest of the Top 47 Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting Schools

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

26
27
College Of Dupage crest
College Of Dupage
Glen Ellyn, IL
28
29
Triton College crest
Triton College
River Grove, IL
30
Mchenry County College crest
Mchenry County College
Crystal Lake, IL
31
32
33
Eureka College crest
Eureka College
Eureka, IL
34
35
Kaskaskia College crest
Kaskaskia College
Centralia, IL
36
37
38
Prairie State College crest
Prairie State College
Chicago Heights, IL
39
40
41
42
Morton College crest
Morton College
Cicero, IL
43
44
Greenville College crest
Greenville College
Greenville, IL
45
46
47
Maccormac College crest
Maccormac College
Chicago, IL

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Notes and References

The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 78 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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