2026 Best Value Homeland Security Certificate Degree Schools
Looking for the best-value Homeland Security certificate degree programs in the United States? This list ranks 352 schools by value — the balance of cost and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. Our scores reflect factors such as tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the strongest return on investment.
So you can compare your options, Course Advisor analyzed schools to build this 2026 value ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Best-Value Homeland Security Certificate Degree Schools in the United States
Explore the best-value schools below:
Oakland Community College earned the #1 spot in this year's best-value ranking in the United States. This public school is set in Auburn Hills, MI. In-state tuition and fees run about $3,120, with out-of-state students paying around $5,560. Graduates carry a median of $15,865 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $37,395 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $15,865 median debt. Read the full report on Oakland Community College
Out of the 352 schools in the United States in this year's value ranking, Park University landed the #2 spot. This private not-for-profit school is set in Parkville, MO. In-state tuition and fees average $12,116. The median Homeland Security program debt is $22,112. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $56,309. That is a strong return on a $22,112 median debt. Read more about Park University
You'll get strong value at Des Moines Area Community College, which ranked #3 this year. Set in Ankeny, IA, Des Moines Area Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,790, while out-of-state students pay about $6,690. Students borrow a median of $22,869 to complete their Homeland Security program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $41,018 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $22,869 median debt. Get the full Des Moines Area Community College report
American Public University System came in at #4 on this year's best-value Homeland Security ranking in the United States. Located in Charles Town, WV, American Public University System is a private for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,400. Typical Homeland Security student debt is $16,339. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $44,409. That is a strong return on a $16,339 median debt. Read the full report on American Public University System
Out of the 352 schools in the United States in this year's value ranking, Ivy Tech Community College landed the #5 spot. Ivy Tech Community College is a public school based in Indianapolis, IN. In-state tuition and fees average $5,154, compared with $9,935 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,889 to complete their Homeland Security program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $37,186. That is a strong return on a $11,889 median debt. More on Ivy Tech Community College
Rose State College landed the #6 spot for value in the United States this year. Located in Midwest City, OK, Rose State College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,030, compared with $11,407 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $13,451 in student loans. Rose State College alumni report median earnings of $37,555 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Read the full report on Rose State College
Rio Salado College landed the #7 spot for value in the United States this year. Located in Tempe, AZ, Rio Salado College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,358 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,958. Students borrow a median of $13,679 to complete their Homeland Security program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $41,015. Set against $13,679 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. See the full Rio Salado College profile
Guilford Technical Community College landed the #8 spot for value in the United States this year. Based in Jamestown, NC, Guilford Technical Community College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,320, compared with $7,696 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,501 to complete their Homeland Security program here. Median earnings reach $33,934 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $20,501 median debt. More on Guilford Technical Community College
Palm Beach State College landed the #9 spot for value in the United States this year. Palm Beach State College is a public school based in Lake Worth, FL. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,050, with out-of-state students paying around $10,910. Graduates carry a median of $12,518 in student loans. Palm Beach State College alumni report median earnings of $41,923 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Read more about Palm Beach State College
Arizona State University Skysong landed the #10 spot for value in the United States this year. Based in Scottsdale, AZ, Arizona State University Skysong is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $11,627, compared with $13,925 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $20,843 in student loans. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $62,668. That is a strong return on a $20,843 median debt. Arizona State University Skysong admits about 67% of applicants. Get the full Arizona State University Skysong report
St Petersburg College came in at #11 in this year's value ranking. Set in St. Petersburg, FL, St Petersburg College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,682, with out-of-state students paying around $9,286. Graduates carry a median of $24,385 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,557. Set against $24,385 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Read the full report on St Petersburg College
University Of Phoenix Arizona landed the #12 spot for value in the United States this year. University Of Phoenix Arizona is a private for-profit school based in Phoenix, AZ. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,552. University Of Phoenix Arizona Homeland Security students take on a median of $35,323 in debt. Graduates go on to earn a median of $37,752 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. More on University Of Phoenix Arizona
National American University Rapid City landed the #13 spot for value in the United States this year. Set in Rapid City, SD, National American University Rapid City is a private for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $16,065. Graduates carry a median of $38,264 in student loans. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $37,325. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Read the full report on National American University Rapid City
Moraine Valley Community College came in at #13 in this year's value ranking. This public school is set in Palos Hills, IL. In-state tuition and fees average $3,822, while out-of-state students pay about $9,846. Moraine Valley Community College Homeland Security students take on a median of $11,149 in debt. Median earnings reach $43,892 ten years out. Set against $11,149 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Read the full report on Moraine Valley Community College
Cape Fear Community College offered strong value this year, earning the #15 position. Located in Wilmington, NC, Cape Fear Community College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,748 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,892 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $12,388 in student loans. Median earnings reach $38,654 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $12,388 median debt. Get the full Cape Fear Community College report
Fayetteville Technical Community College came in at #16 in this year's value ranking. Located in Fayetteville, NC, Fayetteville Technical Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $2,628, with out-of-state students paying around $8,772. The median Homeland Security program debt is $16,909. Median earnings reach $31,861 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Read the full report on Fayetteville Technical Community College
Florida State College At Jacksonville came in at #17 in this year's value ranking. Florida State College At Jacksonville is a public school based in Jacksonville, FL. Students from in state pay about $2,657 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,631. Students borrow a median of $19,139 to complete their Homeland Security program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,244 ten years after entry. Set against $19,139 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. See the full Florida State College At Jacksonville profile
Robert Morris University ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best-value Homeland Security schools. Robert Morris University is a private not-for-profit school based in Moon Township, PA. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $35,770. Students borrow a median of $26,748 to complete their Homeland Security program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $62,105. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Robert Morris University has an acceptance rate of 90%. Read the full report on Robert Morris University
Angelo State University placed #19 among the best-value Homeland Security schools in the United States. Located in San Angelo, TX, Angelo State University is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,460, compared with $18,300 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,237 to complete their Homeland Security program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $50,116 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $21,237 median debt. About 83% of those who apply are admitted. Read the full report on Angelo State University
Northeastern State University came in at #20 in this year's value ranking. Located in Tahlequah, OK, Northeastern State University is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,810 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,290. Students borrow a median of $23,465 to complete their Homeland Security program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $45,379 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $23,465 median debt. Northeastern State University has an acceptance rate of 100%. Read the full report on Northeastern State University
University Of Central Missouri placed #21 among the best-value Homeland Security schools in the United States. Located in Warrensburg, MO, University Of Central Missouri is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $10,050, with out-of-state students paying around $18,600. Typical Homeland Security student debt is $24,304. Median earnings reach $49,560 ten years out. Set against $24,304 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 64%. More on University Of Central Missouri
Southwestern College offered strong value this year, earning the #22 position. Based in Winfield, KS, Southwestern College is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $39,822. Typical Homeland Security student debt is $26,874. Median earnings reach $55,646 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Southwestern College admits about 76% of applicants. Read more about Southwestern College
Community College Of Allegheny County offered strong value this year, earning the #23 position. Based in Pittsburgh, PA, Community College Of Allegheny County is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $4,956, while out-of-state students pay about $12,583. Community College Of Allegheny County Homeland Security students take on a median of $15,263 in debt. Median earnings reach $39,449 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $15,263 median debt. More on Community College Of Allegheny County
Community College Of Rhode Island landed the #24 spot for value in the United States this year. Community College Of Rhode Island is a public school based in Warwick, RI. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,550, with out-of-state students paying around $14,834. Typical Homeland Security student debt is $13,940. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,659 ten years after entry. Set against $13,940 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Read more about Community College Of Rhode Island
Mesa State College came in at #25 in this year's value ranking. Based in Grand Junction, CO, Mesa State College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,927, while out-of-state students pay about $25,124. Typical Homeland Security student debt is $22,310. Mesa State College alumni report median earnings of $45,823 a decade after entry. Set against $22,310 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Mesa State College has an acceptance rate of 82%. Get the full Mesa State College report
Rest of the Top 50 Best-Value Homeland Security Certificate Degree Schools in the United States
These schools also delivered strong value this year:
Rowan University offered strong value this year, earning the #26 position. This public school is set in Glassboro, NJ. In-state tuition and fees run about $16,574, compared with $26,932 for out-of-state students. Rowan University Homeland Security students take on a median of $24,488 in debt. Median earnings reach $59,988 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $24,488 median debt. Rowan University has an acceptance rate of 78%. Read more about Rowan University
East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania landed the #27 spot for value in the United States this year. Based in East Stroudsburg, PA, East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $11,236, with out-of-state students paying around $19,202. Typical Homeland Security student debt is $26,527. Median earnings reach $56,148 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $26,527 median debt. The acceptance rate is 92%. More on East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania
Husson University offered strong value this year, earning the #28 position. Located in Bangor, ME, Husson University is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $23,304. Husson University Homeland Security students take on a median of $27,735 in debt. Median earnings reach $45,025 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $27,735 median debt. The acceptance rate is 81%. Read the full report on Husson University
Indiana University Kokomo came in at #29 in this year's value ranking. Indiana University Kokomo is a public school based in Kokomo, IN. Students from in state pay about $8,424 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,811 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $24,619 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $49,917. That is a strong return on a $24,619 median debt. About 86% of those who apply are admitted. Read the full report on Indiana University Kokomo
Utica College came in at #30 in this year's value ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in Utica, NY. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $26,930. Graduates carry a median of $27,846 in student loans. Utica College alumni report median earnings of $63,277 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $27,846 median debt. Utica College admits about 92% of applicants. More on Utica College
Arkansas Tech University came in at #31 in this year's value ranking. Based in Russellville, AR, Arkansas Tech University is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,674 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $14,668. Arkansas Tech University Homeland Security students take on a median of $25,355 in debt. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $41,766. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 96%. See the full Arkansas Tech University profile
University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus ranked #32 on our 2026 list of the best-value Homeland Security schools. Set in Pittsburgh, PA, University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $21,926, compared with $41,430 for out-of-state students. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus Homeland Security students take on a median of $24,958 in debt. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $66,125. Set against $24,958 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 58%. Read the full report on University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus
Northwest Florida State College came in at #32 in this year's value ranking. Located in Niceville, FL, Northwest Florida State College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,583 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,612 for out-of-state students. The median Homeland Security program debt is $11,566. Median earnings reach $39,664 ten years out. Set against $11,566 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. More on Northwest Florida State College
University Of Alaska Fairbanks offered strong value this year, earning the #34 position. This public school is set in Fairbanks, AK. In-state tuition and fees average $10,083, compared with $25,892 for out-of-state students. The median Homeland Security program debt is $22,722. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $48,866. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Read more about University Of Alaska Fairbanks
Eastern Kentucky University landed the #35 spot for value in the United States this year. Set in Richmond, KY, Eastern Kentucky University is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,320, compared with $21,230 for out-of-state students. Typical Homeland Security student debt is $28,343. Graduates go on to earn a median of $45,795 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $28,343 median debt. Eastern Kentucky University has an acceptance rate of 78%. Read more about Eastern Kentucky University
University Of New Haven ranked #36 on our 2026 list of the best-value Homeland Security schools. Based in West Haven, CT, University Of New Haven is a private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $47,332. Typical Homeland Security student debt is $26,244. Median earnings reach $60,126 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted. Read more about University Of New Haven
Norwich University ranked #37 on our 2026 list of the best-value Homeland Security schools. Read more about Norwich University
Rider University
Rider University placed #38 among the best-value Homeland Security schools in the United States. Read more about Rider University
Utah Valley University offered strong value this year, earning the #39 position. Read the full report on Utah Valley University
Anna Maria College came in at #40 in this year's value ranking. Get the full Anna Maria College report
Central New Mexico Community College came in at #41 in this year's value ranking. Get the full Central New Mexico Community College report
Blue Ridge Community And Technical College placed #42 among the best-value Homeland Security schools in the United States. Read more about Blue Ridge Community And Technical College
Indiana Institute Of Technology placed #43 among the best-value Homeland Security schools in the United States. Get the full Indiana Institute Of Technology report
The University Of Alabama offered strong value this year, earning the #44 position. Get the full The University Of Alabama report
The University Of Texas At El Paso came in at #45 in this year's value ranking. Read more about The University Of Texas At El Paso
Hennepin Technical College landed the #46 spot for value in the United States this year. Get the full Hennepin Technical College report
Icpr Junior College Manati landed the #47 spot for value in the United States this year. More on Icpr Junior College Manati
Clackamas Community College ranked #48 on our 2026 list of the best-value Homeland Security schools. More on Clackamas Community College
Nash Community College offered strong value this year, earning the #49 position. More on Nash Community College
Peninsula College landed the #50 spot for value in the United States this year. Read the full report on Peninsula College
Related Homeland Security Value Rankings
Explore other degree levels:
- Best Value Homeland Security Schools (All Levels)
- Best Value Homeland Security Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Homeland Security Associate’s Degree Schools
- Best Value Homeland Security Bachelor’s Degree Schools
- Best Value Homeland Security Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Homeland Security Master’s Degree Schools
- Best Value Homeland Security Doctoral Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
The ranking above is published by Course Advisor (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment — drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · Scope: Nation. *Averages shown above reflect the top 352 ranked schools only.
References
- Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) — National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education (core institutional data).
- College Scorecard — U.S. Department of Education (graduate earnings and outcomes data).
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