2026 Best Value Homeland Security Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
Looking for the best-value Homeland Security graduate certificate degree programs in the United States? We have ranked 352 colleges by value — the balance of cost and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. The rankings below weigh factors such as tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the strongest return on investment.
To arm you with the information you need, Course Advisor evaluated 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 Graduate Certificate Degree Schools in the United States
Here are the top-ranked schools for value:
Park University tops our 2026 ranking of the best-value Homeland Security graduate certificate degree schools in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Parkville, MO. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,116. Park University Homeland Security students take on a median of $22,112 in debt. Graduates go on to earn a median of $56,309 ten years after entry. Set against $22,112 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Read the full report on Park University
A rank of #2 makes American Public University System one of the best values in the United States. This private for-profit school is set in Charles Town, WV. In-state tuition and fees average $8,400. American Public University System Homeland Security students take on a median of $16,339 in debt. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $44,409. Set against $16,339 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Get the full American Public University System report
Out of the 352 schools in the United States in this year's value ranking, Southwestern College landed the #3 spot. Based in Winfield, KS, Southwestern College is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $39,822. The median Homeland Security program debt is $26,874. Graduates go on to earn a median of $55,646 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Southwestern College has an acceptance rate of 76%. Get the full Southwestern College report
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Liberty University earned it the #4 place in the United States. Liberty University is a private not-for-profit school based in Lynchburg, VA. In-state tuition and fees average $16,173. Liberty University Homeland Security students take on a median of $27,414 in debt. Median earnings reach $44,813 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $27,414 median debt. Liberty University admits about 99% of applicants. Get the full Liberty University report
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Arizona State University Skysong earned it the #5 place in the United States. Located in Scottsdale, AZ, Arizona State University Skysong is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,627 in tuition and fees, compared with $13,925 for out-of-state students. The median Homeland Security program debt is $20,843. Arizona State University Skysong alumni report median earnings of $62,668 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $20,843 median debt. Arizona State University Skysong admits about 67% of applicants. Read more about Arizona State University Skysong
Walden University landed the #6 spot for value in the United States this year. Walden University is a private for-profit school based in Minneapolis, MN. In-state tuition and fees run about $11,067. The median Homeland Security program debt is $49,361. Walden University alumni report median earnings of $42,810 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $49,361 median debt. Read more about Walden University
Angelo State University landed the #7 spot for value in the United States this year. Set in San Angelo, TX, Angelo State University is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,460, while out-of-state students pay about $18,300. Graduates carry a median of $21,237 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $50,116 ten years after entry. Set against $21,237 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Angelo State University admits about 83% of applicants. Read more about Angelo State University
Northern Kentucky University placed #8 among the best-value Homeland Security schools in the United States. Set in Highland Heights, KY, Northern Kentucky University is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,088, compared with $21,912 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,572 to complete their Homeland Security program here. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $50,220. That is a strong return on a $25,572 median debt. Northern Kentucky University has an acceptance rate of 68%. Read the full report on Northern Kentucky University
Towson University landed the #9 spot for value in the United States this year. Set in Towson, MD, Towson University is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,728, while out-of-state students pay about $29,820. Towson University Homeland Security students take on a median of $21,241 in debt. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $64,390. That is a strong return on a $21,241 median debt. About 82% of those who apply are admitted. Read more about Towson University
Benedictine University came in at #10 in this year's value ranking. Benedictine University is a private not-for-profit school based in Lisle, IL. In-state tuition and fees run about $32,648. Students borrow a median of $25,338 to complete their Homeland Security program here. Benedictine University alumni report median earnings of $63,446 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Benedictine University has an acceptance rate of 95%. Read more about Benedictine University
Desales University landed the #11 spot for value in the United States this year. Set in Center Valley, PA, Desales University is a private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $46,800. Typical Homeland Security student debt is $27,524. Median earnings reach $61,295 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Desales University has an acceptance rate of 77%. More on Desales University
Thomas Edison State College landed the #12 spot for value in the United States this year. This public school is set in Trenton, NJ. In-state tuition and fees run about $6,838, with out-of-state students paying around $8,856. Thomas Edison State College Homeland Security students take on a median of $16,149 in debt. Graduates go on to earn a median of $69,331 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $16,149 median debt. Read the full report on Thomas Edison State College
Saint Louis University Main Campus ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best-value Homeland Security schools. This private not-for-profit school is set in Saint Louis, MO. In-state tuition and fees average $55,760. Typical Homeland Security student debt is $26,586. Saint Louis University Main Campus alumni report median earnings of $70,783 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $26,586 median debt. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted. More on Saint Louis University Main Campus
Sam Houston State University offered strong value this year, earning the #15 position. Based in Huntsville, TX, Sam Houston State University is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $9,228, compared with $19,068 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,850 to complete their Homeland Security program here. Sam Houston State University alumni report median earnings of $54,211 a decade after entry. Set against $24,850 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 90% of those who apply are admitted. More on Sam Houston State University
Texas A And M University Corpus Christi ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best-value Homeland Security schools. Set in Corpus Christi, TX, Texas A And M University Corpus Christi is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $9,748, while out-of-state students pay about $20,794. Graduates carry a median of $25,508 in student loans. Texas A And M University Corpus Christi alumni report median earnings of $51,865 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $25,508 median debt. Texas A And M University Corpus Christi has an acceptance rate of 89%. Read the full report on Texas A And M University Corpus Christi
University Of Georgia offered strong value this year, earning the #17 position. Set in Athens, GA, University Of Georgia is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,450 in tuition and fees, compared with $31,688 for out-of-state students. Typical Homeland Security student debt is $21,792. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $68,726. Set against $21,792 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 38%. See the full University Of Georgia profile
Oklahoma State University Main Campus placed #18 among the best-value Homeland Security schools in the United States. Set in Stillwater, OK, Oklahoma State University Main Campus is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $10,110, compared with $25,630 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $22,337 in student loans. Median earnings reach $57,413 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $22,337 median debt. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted. Read the full report on Oklahoma State University Main Campus
George Mason University placed #19 among the best-value Homeland Security schools in the United States. Based in Fairfax, VA, George Mason University is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,220, with out-of-state students paying around $38,688. The median Homeland Security program debt is $21,741. George Mason University alumni report median earnings of $76,343 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $21,741 median debt. George Mason University admits about 88% of applicants. Get the full George Mason University report
Husson University placed #20 among the best-value Homeland Security schools in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Bangor, ME. In-state tuition and fees average $23,304. Typical Homeland Security student debt is $27,735. Husson University alumni report median earnings of $45,025 a decade after entry. Set against $27,735 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 81% of those who apply are admitted. Read more about Husson University
Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice offered strong value this year, earning the #21 position. Set in New York, NY, Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,470 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,420. Graduates carry a median of $12,678 in student loans. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $56,195. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 57%. Read more about Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice
Long Island University C W Post Campus placed #22 among the best-value Homeland Security schools in the United States. Long Island University C W Post Campus is a private not-for-profit school based in Brookville, NY. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $42,432. Typical Homeland Security student debt is $25,211. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $59,950. Set against $25,211 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%. Read the full report on Long Island University C W Post Campus
Washington State University placed #23 among the best-value Homeland Security schools in the United States. Set in Pullman, WA, Washington State University is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,391, compared with $29,950 for out-of-state students. Typical Homeland Security student debt is $21,903. Graduates go on to earn a median of $68,905 ten years after entry. Set against $21,903 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 87%. Read more about Washington State University
Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis came in at #24 in this year's value ranking. Based in Indianapolis, IN, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,762 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $34,891. Typical Homeland Security student debt is $23,146. Median earnings reach $55,198 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis admits about 76% of applicants. More on Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis
Jacksonville State University came in at #25 in this year's value ranking. Jacksonville State University is a public school based in Jacksonville, AL. In-state tuition and fees average $12,894, compared with $23,334 for out-of-state students. The median Homeland Security program debt is $24,751. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $45,235. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Jacksonville State University admits about 78% of applicants. Read more about Jacksonville State University
Capella University landed the #26 spot for value in the United States this year. Capella University is a private for-profit school based in Minneapolis, MN. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,400. Typical Homeland Security student debt is $35,998. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,189 ten years after entry. Set against $35,998 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. See the full Capella University profile
Rest of the Top 50 Best-Value Homeland Security Graduate Certificate Degree Schools in the United States
These schools also delivered strong value this year:
American Intercontinental University Online offered strong value this year, earning the #27 position. American Intercontinental University Online is a private for-profit school based in Chandler, AZ. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,397. Graduates carry a median of $39,107 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $36,144 ten years after entry. Set against $39,107 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Read the full report on American Intercontinental University Online
University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs landed the #28 spot for value in the United States this year. University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs is a public school based in Colorado Springs, CO. In-state tuition and fees average $10,906, with out-of-state students paying around $25,039. Typical Homeland Security student debt is $23,559. Graduates go on to earn a median of $54,659 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 97%. More on University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs
The University Of Texas At San Antonio offered strong value this year, earning the #29 position. Located in San Antonio, TX, The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,326 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,249 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $23,312 in student loans. The University Of Texas At San Antonio alumni report median earnings of $57,131 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $23,312 median debt. The University Of Texas At San Antonio has an acceptance rate of 87%. More on The University Of Texas At San Antonio
Utica College ranked #30 on our 2026 list of the best-value Homeland Security schools. Based in Utica, NY, Utica College is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $26,930. Students borrow a median of $27,846 to complete their Homeland Security program here. Utica College alumni report median earnings of $63,277 a decade after entry. Set against $27,846 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted. Read more about Utica College
Suny At Albany offered strong value this year, earning the #31 position. Located in Albany, NY, Suny At Albany is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,601, while out-of-state students pay about $30,991. Typical Homeland Security student debt is $23,250. Median earnings reach $67,979 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $23,250 median debt. Suny At Albany admits about 69% of applicants. See the full Suny At Albany profile
Auburn University At Montgomery landed the #31 spot for value in the United States this year. See the full Auburn University At Montgomery profile
Hawaii Pacific University landed the #32 spot for value in the United States this year. More on Hawaii Pacific University
National American University Rapid City came in at #33 in this year's value ranking. See the full National American University Rapid City profile
Southeast Missouri State University placed #34 among the best-value Homeland Security schools in the United States. Get the full Southeast Missouri State University report
Adrian College
Adrian College placed #35 among the best-value Homeland Security schools in the United States. More on Adrian College
Arizona Western College came in at #36 in this year's value ranking. Get the full Arizona Western College report
Florida State College At Jacksonville offered strong value this year, earning the #37 position. Read more about Florida State College At Jacksonville
Lander University landed the #38 spot for value in the United States this year. Read more about Lander University
Ozarks Technical Community College placed #39 among the best-value Homeland Security schools in the United States. More on Ozarks Technical Community College
Saint Josephs University ranked #40 on our 2026 list of the best-value Homeland Security schools. More on Saint Josephs University
Crown College
Crown College landed the #41 spot for value in the United States this year. More on Crown College
Indiana State University came in at #42 in this year's value ranking. Read the full report on Indiana State University
Truckee Meadows Community College ranked #43 on our 2026 list of the best-value Homeland Security schools. Get the full Truckee Meadows Community College report
Alliant International University came in at #44 in this year's value ranking. Read more about Alliant International University
Charleston Southern University ranked #45 on our 2026 list of the best-value Homeland Security schools. Get the full Charleston Southern University report
Century College
Century College offered strong value this year, earning the #46 position. Read the full report on Century College
Keiser University Ft Lauderdale placed #47 among the best-value Homeland Security schools in the United States. More on Keiser University Ft Lauderdale
Northeastern State University came in at #48 in this year's value ranking. Get the full Northeastern State University report
University Of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras offered strong value this year, earning the #49 position. See the full University Of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras profile
Onondaga Community College placed #50 among the best-value Homeland Security schools in the United States. See the full Onondaga Community College profile
Related Homeland Security Value Rankings
See value rankings for other degree levels:
- Best Value Homeland Security Schools (All Levels)
- Best Value Homeland Security Certificate Degree Schools
- 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 Master’s Degree Schools
- Best Value Homeland Security Doctoral Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
This list is compiled by Course Advisor (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. Rankings consider 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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