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2026 Best Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting Schools in the Southwest Region

83 Colleges in the United States
20,593 Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting Degrees Awarded
$43,070 Avg Early-Career Salary

Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. The schools below stand out for the quality of their homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting programs.

College Factual analyzed 229 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools.

What’s on this page:

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

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

Top Schools in Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting

1

The University Of Texas At Austin is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public school located in the city of Austin. The six-year graduation rate is 89%. There were roughly 139 homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting students who graduated with this degree at The University Of Texas At Austin in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Austin generally make around $57,819. Typical student debt for the program is $21,275. Get the full homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting details for The University Of Texas At Austin

2

Texas A And M University College Station 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 College Station, Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public institution. Roughly 84% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 79 homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting students who graduated with this degree at Texas A And M University College Station in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Texas A And M University College Station generally make around $42,230. Students borrow a median of $20,031 to complete this degree. See the full homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program report for Texas A And M University College Station

3

A rank of #3 makes Baylor University one of the top schools for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Waco. The six-year graduation rate is 80%. Baylor University awarded about 11 homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Baylor University generally make around $49,888. Typical student debt for the program is $23,928. Get the full homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting details for Baylor University

4

University Of Arizona is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting, ranking #4. Located in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a very large public university. University Of Arizona graduates 68% of students within six years. There were roughly 172 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. Get the full homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting details for University Of Arizona

5

Arizona State University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting, landing the #5 spot this year. Arizona State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tempe. Arizona State University graduates 68% of students within six years. There were roughly 325 homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting students who graduated with this degree at Arizona State University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program make about $53,745 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,943. See the full homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program report for Arizona State University

6

Texas Christian University came in at #6 for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Set in the city of Fort Worth, Texas Christian University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. Texas Christian University awarded about 93 homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree from Texas Christian University earn around $34,556 in the first couple years of their career. Texas Christian University graduates carry a median of $20,429 in student loans. See the full homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program report for Texas Christian University

7

Oklahoma State University Main Campus landed the #7 spot for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Set in the town of Stillwater, Oklahoma State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. About 47 homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degrees were awarded at Oklahoma State University Main Campus in the most recent year. Graduates of the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program make about $61,830 in their early career. Oklahoma State University Main Campus graduates carry a median of $26,500 in student loans. More information about a degree in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting from Oklahoma State University Main Campus

8

Texas Tech University came in at #8 for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Texas Tech University is a very large public school located in the city of Lubbock. About 69% of students finish within six years. Texas Tech University awarded about 10 homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degrees in the most recent data year. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Texas Tech University earn a median of $50,332 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $24,271 to complete this degree. Get the full homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting details for Texas Tech University

9

Texas State University San Marcos earned the #9 position for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Located in the city of San Marcos, Texas State University San Marcos is a very large public university. Texas State University San Marcos graduates 55% of students within six years. Texas State University San Marcos awarded about 344 homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree from Texas State University San Marcos earn around $41,939 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $19,500. See the full homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program report for Texas State University San Marcos

10

The University Of Texas At Arlington came in at #10 for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Arlington. The six-year graduation rate is 54%. The University Of Texas At Arlington awarded about 163 homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree from The University Of Texas At Arlington earn around $49,360 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $19,908 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting from The University Of Texas At Arlington

11

Arizona State University Skysong earned the #11 position for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Set in the city of Scottsdale, Arizona State University Skysong is a very large public institution. There were roughly 573 homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting students who graduated with this degree at Arizona State University Skysong in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Arizona State University Skysong generally make around $53,828. Typical student debt for the program is $21,943. More information about a degree in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting from Arizona State University Skysong

12

University Of North Texas landed the #12 spot for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. University Of North Texas is a very large public school located in the city of Denton. The six-year graduation rate is 61%. There were roughly 272 homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting students who graduated with this degree at University Of North Texas in the most recent data year. Graduates of the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program make about $47,055 in their early career. University Of North Texas graduates carry a median of $20,379 in student loans. See the full homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program report for University Of North Texas

13

Northern Arizona University placed #13 among the best homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. Northern Arizona University is a very large public school located in the city of Flagstaff. About 61% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 24 homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting students who graduated with this degree at Northern Arizona University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree from Northern Arizona University earn around $47,056 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,645. More information about a degree in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting from Northern Arizona University

14

Abilene Christian University landed the #14 spot for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Abilene Christian University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Abilene. About 59% of students finish within six years. About 31 homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degrees were awarded at Abilene Christian University in the most recent year. Graduates of the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program make about $56,463 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $23,772 to complete this degree. See the full homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program report for Abilene Christian University

15

University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus placed #15 among the best homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. Located in the suburb of Norman, University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a very large public university. University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus graduates 75% of students within six years. There were roughly 98 homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting students who graduated with this degree at University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus generally make around $53,003. University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus graduates carry a median of $27,156 in student loans. Get the full homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting details for University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus

16

Sam Houston State University placed #16 among the best homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. Set in the town of Huntsville, Sam Houston State University is a very large public institution. Roughly 55% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 1,003 homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degrees were awarded at Sam Houston State University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Sam Houston State University generally make around $44,731. Sam Houston State University graduates carry a median of $23,218 in student loans. More information about a degree in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting from Sam Houston State University

17

University Of Houston Downtown placed #17 among the best homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. Set in the city of Houston, University Of Houston Downtown is a large public institution. Roughly 33% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Houston Downtown awarded about 321 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 Houston Downtown earn around $53,630 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $22,757 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting from University Of Houston Downtown

18
Tarleton State University crest
Tarleton State University
Stephenville, TX

Tarleton State University placed #18 among the best homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. Located in the town of Stephenville, Tarleton State University is a large public university. Tarleton State University graduates 48% of students within six years. About 219 homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degrees were awarded at Tarleton State University in the most recent year. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Tarleton State University earn a median of $50,979 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $23,250. More information about a degree in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting from Tarleton State University

19

Stephen F Austin State University placed #19 among the best homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. Stephen F Austin State University is a large public school located in the town of Nacogdoches. Roughly 53% of students complete a degree within six years here. Stephen F Austin State University awarded about 46 homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degrees in the most recent data year. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Stephen F Austin State University earn a median of $40,308 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $23,250. Read more about the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program at Stephen F Austin State University

20

Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Prescott ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. Set in the city of Prescott, Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Prescott is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Prescott graduates 68% of students within six years. There were roughly 21 homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting students who graduated with this degree at Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Prescott in the most recent data year. Students who receive their homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Prescott earn around $74,905 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $19,500. Get the full homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting details for Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Prescott

21
Del Mar College crest
Del Mar College
Corpus Christi, TX

Del Mar College earned the #21 position for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Located in the city of Corpus Christi, Del Mar College is a large public university. There were roughly 79 homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting students who graduated with this degree at Del Mar College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program make about $40,661 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $6,250 to complete this degree. Read more about the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program at Del Mar College

22

Chandler Gilbert Community College landed the #22 spot for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. This large public university is located in the city of Chandler. About 126 homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degrees were awarded at Chandler Gilbert Community College in the most recent year. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Chandler Gilbert Community College earn a median of $46,943 early in their careers. Chandler Gilbert Community College graduates carry a median of $10,447 in student loans. Read more about the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program at Chandler Gilbert Community College

23

Laredo Community College landed the #23 spot for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. This large public university is located in the city of Laredo. About 189 homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degrees were awarded at Laredo Community College in the most recent year. Graduates of the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program make about $48,194 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $6,000. More information about a degree in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting from Laredo Community College

24

The University Of Texas At San Antonio came in at #24 for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public school located in the city of San Antonio. The six-year graduation rate is 53%. About 262 homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degrees were awarded at The University Of Texas At San Antonio in the most recent year. Graduates of the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program make about $42,491 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $21,875 to complete this degree. Get the full homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting details for The University Of Texas At San Antonio

25

Mesa Community College came in at #25 for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Mesa Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Mesa. About 244 homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degrees were awarded at Mesa Community College in the most recent year. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Mesa Community College earn a median of $54,730 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $13,750. Get the full homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting details for Mesa Community College

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
Lone Star College System crest
Lone Star College System
The Woodlands, TX
29
30
Angelo State University crest
Angelo State University
San Angelo, TX
31
32
33
34
35
Rose State College crest
Rose State College
Midwest City, OK
36
37
38
39
Phoenix College crest
Phoenix College
Phoenix, AZ
40
41
42
43
44
Lamar University crest
Lamar University
Beaumont, TX
45
Blinn College crest
Blinn College
Brenham, TX
46
47
48
Lee College crest
Lee College
Baytown, TX
49
50

Additional Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting Award Winners

These schools also earned a top-quality badge for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year:

Rank School Location
#60 Grand Canyon University Phoenix, AZ
#84 South Texas College McAllen, TX
#88 University Of Phoenix Arizona Phoenix, AZ
#133 American Intercontinental University Online Chandler, AZ

Honorable Mentions

Also worth considering for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting:

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

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 · 229 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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