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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting Master’s Degree Schools

155 Colleges in the United States
21,385 Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting Degrees Awarded
$50,622 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 2070 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 United States

Below are the best homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools at the master’s degree level, ranked by the quality of the education they deliver.

Top Schools in Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting

1

Leading the list is University Of Virginia Main Campus, our #1 school for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Charlottesville. About 96% of students finish within six years. University Of Virginia Main Campus awarded about 728 homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from University Of Virginia Main Campus generally make around $69,126. University Of Virginia Main Campus graduates carry a median of $18,627 in student loans. Read more about the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program at University Of Virginia Main Campus

2

University Of Southern California is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting, ranking #2. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Los Angeles. About 92% of students finish within six years. University Of Southern California awarded about 124 homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degrees 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. University Of Southern California graduates carry a median of $15,625 in student loans. More information about a degree in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting from University Of Southern California

3
Georgetown University crest
Georgetown University
Washington, DC

Georgetown University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting, ranking #3. Georgetown University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Washington. Georgetown University graduates 95% of students within six years. Georgetown University awarded about 63 homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Georgetown University generally make around $81,481. Typical student debt for the program is $16,483. Read more about the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program at Georgetown University

4

University Of San Diego is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting, landing the #4 spot this year. University Of San Diego is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of San Diego. Roughly 84% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 147 homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degrees were awarded at University Of San Diego in the most recent year. Students who receive their homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree from University Of San Diego earn around $141,202 in the first couple years of their career. University Of San Diego graduates carry a median of $23,795 in student loans. See the full homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program report for University Of San Diego

5

A rank of #5 makes George Washington University one of the top schools for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. Located in the city of Washington, George Washington University is a very large private not-for-profit university. About 84% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 117 homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting students who graduated with this degree at George Washington University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program make about $54,194 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,500. Get the full homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting details for George Washington University

6

University Of Denver landed the #6 spot for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Set in the city of Denver, University Of Denver is a large private not-for-profit institution. About 76% of students finish within six years. About 10 homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degrees were awarded at University Of Denver in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from University Of Denver generally make around $56,999. Students borrow a median of $22,534 to complete this degree. Read more about the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program at University Of Denver

7

California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. 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. Typical student debt for the program is $19,273. More information about a degree in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting from California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo

8
University Of Florida crest
University Of Florida
Gainesville, FL

University Of Florida ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Gainesville. University Of Florida graduates 91% of students within six years. There were roughly 16 homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting students who graduated with this degree at University Of Florida in the most recent data year. Students who receive their homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree from University Of Florida earn around $86,740 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $12,296. Read more about the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program at University Of Florida

9

University Of Maryland Baltimore came in at #9 for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Located in the city of Baltimore, University Of Maryland Baltimore is a moderately-sized public university. There were roughly 14 homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting students who graduated with this degree at University Of Maryland Baltimore in the most recent data year. Graduates of the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program make about $85,300 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,500. More information about a degree in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting from University Of Maryland Baltimore

10

San Jose State University landed the #10 spot for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Set in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public institution. San Jose State University graduates 69% of students within six years. About 46 homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degrees were awarded at San Jose State University in the most recent year. See the full homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program report for San Jose State University

11
Boston University crest
Boston University
Boston, MA

Boston University placed #11 among the best homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. Set in the city of Boston, Boston University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. About 89% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 135 homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting students who graduated with this degree at Boston University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Boston University generally make around $63,796. Students borrow a median of $25,232 to complete this degree. Get the full homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting details for Boston University

12
American University crest
American University
Washington, DC

American University landed the #12 spot for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Washington. American University graduates 76% of students within six years. About 120 homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degrees were awarded at American University in the most recent year. Graduates of the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program make about $62,908 in their early career. American University graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. Get the full homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting details for American University

13

Sacred Heart University earned the #13 position for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Sacred Heart University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Fairfield. Sacred Heart University graduates 74% of students within six years. About 106 homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degrees were awarded at Sacred Heart University in the most recent year. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Sacred Heart University earn a median of $45,377 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. See the full homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program report for Sacred Heart University

14
Florida State University crest
Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL

Florida State University landed the #14 spot for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Set in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. About 254 homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degrees were awarded at Florida State University in the most recent year. Graduates of the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program make about $57,618 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,098. More information about a degree in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting from Florida State University

15

George Mason University placed #15 among the best homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. George Mason University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fairfax. George Mason University graduates 68% of students within six years. About 444 homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degrees were awarded at George Mason University in the most recent year. Graduates of the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program make about $56,764 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $21,487 to complete this degree. Read more about the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program at George Mason University

16

Northeastern University ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. Set in the city of Boston, Northeastern University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. About 90% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 103 homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting students who graduated with this degree at Northeastern University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program make about $47,269 in their early career. Northeastern University graduates carry a median of $22,809 in student loans. See the full homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program report for Northeastern University

17

University Of Arizona came in at #17 for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Set in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. There were roughly 169 homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting students who graduated with this degree at University Of Arizona in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from University Of Arizona generally make around $34,103. Students borrow a median of $20,312 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting from University Of Arizona

18
Michigan State University crest
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI

Michigan State University earned the #18 position for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Michigan State University is a very large public school located in the city of East Lansing. About 81% of students finish within six years. Michigan State University awarded about 140 homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree from Michigan State University earn around $75,395 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete this degree. Read more about the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program at Michigan State University

19

University Of Illinois At Chicago came in at #19 for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. 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. University Of Illinois At Chicago awarded about 17 homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degrees 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. More information about a degree in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting from University Of Illinois At Chicago

20
Suny At Albany crest
Suny At Albany
Albany, NY

Suny At Albany landed the #20 spot for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Set in the city of Albany, Suny At Albany is a very large public institution. About 61% of students finish within six years. Suny At Albany awarded about 192 homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Suny At Albany generally make around $38,472. Suny At Albany graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. See the full homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program report for Suny At Albany

21

University Of Massachusetts Lowell ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. Located in the suburb of Lowell, University Of Massachusetts Lowell is a very large public university. Roughly 65% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Massachusetts Lowell awarded about 134 homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from University Of Massachusetts Lowell generally make around $93,930. Students borrow a median of $24,822 to complete this degree. Get the full homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting details for University Of Massachusetts Lowell

22
Lewis University crest
Lewis University
Romeoville, IL

Lewis University landed the #22 spot for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Lewis University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Romeoville. About 67% of students finish within six years. About 43 homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degrees were awarded at Lewis University in the most recent year. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Lewis University earn a median of $96,146 early in their careers. Lewis University graduates carry a median of $20,000 in student loans. Read more about the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program at Lewis University

23

Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice placed #23 among the best homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. This large public university is located in the city of New York. The six-year graduation rate is 56%. Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice awarded about 509 homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree from Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice earn around $63,161 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $11,503 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting from Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice

24

University Of Scranton came in at #24 for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Set in the city of Scranton, University Of Scranton is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. University Of Scranton graduates 80% of students within six years. There were roughly 39 homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting students who graduated with this degree at University Of Scranton in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from University Of Scranton generally make around $32,300. University Of Scranton graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Get the full homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting details for University Of Scranton

25

California State University Long Beach ranked #25 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. About 69% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 47 homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting students who graduated with this degree at California State University Long Beach in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from California State University Long Beach generally make around $47,500. California State University Long Beach graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. See the full homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program report for California State University Long Beach

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

Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting education:

26
27
28
29
Seattle University crest
Seattle University
Seattle, WA
30
University Of Kansas crest
University Of Kansas
Lawrence, KS
31
Aurora University crest
Aurora University
Aurora, IL
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
University Of New Haven crest
University Of New Haven
West Haven, CT
48
49
50
Merrimack College crest
Merrimack College
North Andover, MA

Additional Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting Award Winners

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

Rank School Location
#51 Sam Houston State University Huntsville, TX
#52 University Of Cincinnati Main Campus Cincinnati, OH
#53 Arizona State University Skysong Scottsdale, AZ
#58 Robert Morris University Moon Township, PA
#60 University Of Louisville Louisville, KY
#74 University Of Maryland University College Adelphi, MD
#79 Anna Maria College Paxton, MA
#82 Weber State University Ogden, UT
#91 Utica College Utica, NY
#96 Champlain College Burlington, VT
#105 American Public University System Charles Town, WV
#110 Liberty University Lynchburg, VA
#114 Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Worldwide Daytona Beach, FL
#123 Southern New Hampshire University Manchester, NH
#139 Columbia Southern University Orange Beach, AL
#159 Saint Leo University Saint Leo, FL
#176 Keiser University Ft Lauderdale Fort Lauderdale, FL
#179 University Of Phoenix Arizona Phoenix, AZ

Honorable Mentions

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

Other Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting Degree Levels

Looking for a different degree level? Compare Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting rankings across degree levels:

All Degree Levels in Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting
Associate's Degrees in Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting
Bachelor's Degrees in Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting
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View All Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting Rankings >

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Notes and References

This list is compiled 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 · 2070 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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