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2026 Best Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting Schools in North Carolina

34 Colleges in the United States
4,639 Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting Degrees Awarded
$40,814 Avg Early-Career Salary

Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 99 schools to find the best for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting students.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting in North Carolina

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

No school ranked higher than University Of North Carolina At Wilmington this year for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. Set in the city of Wilmington, University Of North Carolina At Wilmington is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 71%. University Of North Carolina At Wilmington awarded about 11 homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degrees in the most recent data year. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of University Of North Carolina At Wilmington earn a median of $46,164 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $23,013 to complete this degree. See the full homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program report for University Of North Carolina At Wilmington

2

Appalachian State University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. Located in the town of Boone, Appalachian State University is a very large public university. Appalachian State University graduates 74% of students within six years. There were roughly 109 homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting students who graduated with this degree at Appalachian State University in the most recent data year. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Appalachian State University earn a median of $35,796 early in their careers. Appalachian State University graduates carry a median of $18,750 in student loans. More information about a degree in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting from Appalachian State University

3
High Point University crest
High Point University
High Point, NC

High Point University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting, ranking #3. High Point University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of High Point. About 72% of students finish within six years. About 44 homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degrees were awarded at High Point University in the most recent year. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of High Point University earn a median of $113,352 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $23,785. Read more about the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program at High Point University

4

A rank of #4 makes Western Carolina University one of the top schools for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. This large public university is located in the town of Cullowhee. Roughly 60% of students complete a degree within six years here. Western Carolina University awarded about 139 homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Western Carolina University generally make around $38,682. Western Carolina University graduates carry a median of $21,467 in student loans. More information about a degree in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting from Western Carolina University

5

University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting, ranking #5. This very large public university is located in the city of Charlotte. About 69% of students finish within six years. University Of North Carolina At Charlotte awarded about 200 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 North Carolina At Charlotte earn around $36,155 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete this degree. Read more about the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program at University Of North Carolina At Charlotte

6
Pfeiffer University crest
Pfeiffer University
Misenheimer, NC

Pfeiffer University earned the #6 position for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Set in the rural area of Misenheimer, Pfeiffer University is a small private not-for-profit institution. About 35% of students finish within six years. Pfeiffer University awarded about 25 homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Pfeiffer University generally make around $54,891. Students borrow a median of $25,125 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting from Pfeiffer University

7

Wake Technical Community College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. Located in the suburb of Raleigh, Wake Technical Community College is a very large public university. Wake Technical Community College awarded about 164 homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree from Wake Technical Community College earn around $38,673 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,093. Get the full homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting details for Wake Technical Community College

8
Wingate University crest
Wingate University
Wingate, NC

Wingate University landed the #8 spot for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Located in the suburb of Wingate, Wingate University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 46% of students complete a degree within six years here. Wingate University 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 Wingate University generally make around $39,498. Wingate University graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. See the full homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program report for Wingate University

9

Lenoir Rhyne University placed #9 among the best homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. Located in the city of Hickory, Lenoir Rhyne University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 48%. There were roughly 15 homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting students who graduated with this degree at Lenoir Rhyne University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree from Lenoir Rhyne University earn around $49,985 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $26,900 to complete this degree. Get the full homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting details for Lenoir Rhyne University

10

Vance Granville Community College earned the #10 position for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. This mid-sized public university is located in the town of Henderson. Vance Granville Community College awarded about 33 homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program make about $39,750 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $14,833. More information about a degree in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting from Vance Granville Community College

11
Gaston College crest
Gaston College
Dallas, NC

Gaston College came in at #11 for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Set in the suburb of Dallas, Gaston College is a moderately-sized public institution. There were roughly 125 homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting students who graduated with this degree at Gaston College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program make about $50,038 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $10,915. Get the full homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting details for Gaston College

12

Wilkes Community College placed #12 among the best homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. Wilkes Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Wilkesboro. Wilkes Community College awarded about 87 homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree from Wilkes Community College earn around $41,251 in the first couple years of their career. Wilkes Community College graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. More information about a degree in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting from Wilkes Community College

13

Cape Fear Community College came in at #13 for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Cape Fear Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Wilmington. About 78 homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degrees were awarded at Cape Fear Community College in the most recent year. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Cape Fear Community College earn a median of $52,282 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $16,042 to complete this degree. See the full homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program report for Cape Fear Community College

14

North Carolina Wesleyan College placed #14 among the best homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. Set in the city of Rocky Mount, North Carolina Wesleyan College is a small private not-for-profit institution. About 42% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 67 homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting students who graduated with this degree at North Carolina Wesleyan College in the most recent data year. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of North Carolina Wesleyan College earn a median of $43,121 early in their careers. North Carolina Wesleyan College graduates carry a median of $29,500 in student loans. More information about a degree in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting from North Carolina Wesleyan College

15
Campbell University crest
Campbell University
Buies Creek, NC

Campbell University placed #15 among the best homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. Campbell University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Buies Creek. About 60% of students finish within six years. Campbell University awarded about 35 homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degrees in the most recent data year. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Campbell University earn a median of $40,571 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $26,828. Get the full homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting details for Campbell University

16

Montgomery Community College came in at #16 for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. This small public university is located in the rural area of Troy. There were roughly 18 homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting students who graduated with this degree at Montgomery Community College in the most recent data year. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Montgomery Community College earn a median of $38,983 early in their careers. See the full homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program report for Montgomery Community College

17

Rowan Cabarrus Community College earned the #17 position for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the suburb of Salisbury. About 45 homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degrees were awarded at Rowan Cabarrus Community College in the most recent year. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Rowan Cabarrus Community College earn a median of $46,993 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $10,625 to complete this degree. Read more about the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program at Rowan Cabarrus Community College

18

Fayetteville State University placed #18 among the best homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. Set in the city of Fayetteville, Fayetteville State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Roughly 38% of students complete a degree within six years here. Fayetteville State University awarded about 148 homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program make about $30,313 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $25,060 to complete this degree. Get the full homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting details for Fayetteville State University

19
Gardner Webb University crest
Gardner Webb University
Boiling Springs, NC

Gardner Webb University landed the #19 spot for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Set in the rural area of Boiling Springs, Gardner Webb University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 54% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 26 homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting students who graduated with this degree at Gardner Webb University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree from Gardner Webb University earn around $35,433 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete this degree. Read more about the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program at Gardner Webb University

20

Forsyth Technical Community College placed #20 among the best homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. This large public university is located in the city of Winston-Salem. About 81 homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degrees were awarded at Forsyth Technical Community College in the most recent year. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Forsyth Technical Community College earn a median of $35,389 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $21,066. Get the full homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting details for Forsyth Technical Community College

21

University Of North Carolina At Pembroke came in at #21 for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Located in the town of Pembroke, University Of North Carolina At Pembroke is a moderately-sized public university. Roughly 44% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 109 homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting students who graduated with this degree at University Of North Carolina At Pembroke in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Pembroke generally make around $35,553. University Of North Carolina At Pembroke graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. See the full homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program report for University Of North Carolina At Pembroke

22

Central Carolina Community College came in at #22 for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Central Carolina Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Sanford. There were roughly 81 homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting students who graduated with this degree at Central Carolina Community College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Central Carolina Community College generally make around $28,734. Students borrow a median of $10,266 to complete this degree. Get the full homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting details for Central Carolina Community College

23

Durham Technical Community College earned the #23 position for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Durham Technical Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Durham. About 49 homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degrees were awarded at Durham Technical Community College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Durham Technical Community College generally make around $49,893. Typical student debt for the program is $17,750. See the full homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program report for Durham Technical Community College

24

Stanly Community College came in at #24 for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Set in the town of Albemarle, Stanly Community College is a mid-sized public institution. About 63 homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degrees were awarded at Stanly Community College in the most recent year. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Stanly Community College earn a median of $41,920 early in their careers. Read more about the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program at Stanly Community College

25

Mitchell Community College earned the #25 position for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. This mid-sized public university is located in the town of Statesville. Mitchell Community College awarded about 41 homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Mitchell Community College generally make around $47,001. Students borrow a median of $6,313 to complete this degree. Get the full homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting details for Mitchell Community College

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
Mars Hill College crest
Mars Hill College
Mars Hill, NC
28
Pitt Community College crest
Pitt Community College
Winterville, NC
29
30
Brevard College crest
Brevard College
Brevard, NC
31
32
33
34
Lees Mcrae College crest
Lees Mcrae College
Banner Elk, NC
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50

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Notes and References

This ranking is produced 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 · 99 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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