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Best Law Enforcement & Firefighting Schools in the Southeast Region

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2023 Best Law Enforcement & Firefighting Schools in the Southeast Region

267 Colleges
$35,660 Avg Salary
$27,965 Avg Student Debt

Finding the Best Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting School for You

Out of all the majors we analyze each year, homeland security, law enforcement and firefighting was ranked #12 in the country. In fact 142,610 degrees and certificates were handed out in 2020-2021.

There are so many programs in today's world that it can tough to figure out which one is the right one for you. You're no longer limited to schools in your local area, either, since online programs are becoming more prevalent. Or you may find the programs at a trade school to be a better alternative for you.

To help you arm yourself with the information you need to make your decision, Course Advisor has developed this Best Law Enforcement & Firefighting Schools in the Southeast Region ranking. Our analysis looked at 267 schools in the Southeast Region to see which programs offered the best educational experiences for students.

View our full ranking methodology.

2023 Best Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting Schools in the Southeast Region

The colleges and universities below are the best for homeland security, law enforcement and firefighting majors pursuing a .

Top 25 Top Southeast Region Schools in Law Enforcement & Firefighting

Our 2023 rankings named Herzing University - Atlanta the best school in the Southeast Region for homeland security, law enforcement and firefighting students. Located in the city of Atlanta, Herzing University - Atlanta is a private not-for-profit college with a small student population.

After completing their degree, homeland security, law enforcement and firefighting graduates from Herzing University - Atlanta carry an average student debtload of $25,850.

Read full report on Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting at Herzing University - Atlanta

A rank of #2 on this year’s list means Herzing University - Kenner is a great place for homeland security, law enforcement and firefighting students. Herzing University - Kenner is a fairly small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Kenner.

On average, homeland security, law enforcement and firefighting graduates from Herzing University - Kenner take out $25,971 in student loans while working on their degree.

Read full report on Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting at Herzing University - Kenner

The excellent programs at Herzing University - Birmingham helped the school earn the #3 place on this year’s ranking of the best homeland security, law enforcement and firefighting schools in the Southeast Region . Herzing University - Birmingham is a fairly small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Birmingham.

The average amount in student loans that homeland security, law enforcement and firefighting majors at Herzing University - Birmingham take out is $25,971.

Full Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting at Herzing University - Birmingham Report

#4

Reinhardt University

Waleska, GA

Out of the 267 schools in the Southeast Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Reinhardt University landed the # 4 spot on the list. Reinhardt University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Waleska.

The average amount in student loans that homeland security, law enforcement and firefighting majors at Reinhardt University take out is $32,500.

Read full report on Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting at Reinhardt University

Out of the 267 schools in the Southeast Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Herzing University - Winter Park landed the # 5 spot on the list. Located in the suburb of Winter Park, Herzing University - Winter Park is a private not-for-profit college with a fairly small student population.

While working on their degree, homeland security, law enforcement and firefighting majors at Herzing University - Winter Park accumulate an average of around $25,971 in student debt.

Read full report on Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting at Herzing University - Winter Park

#6

Columbia Southern University

Orange Beach, AL

Columbia Southern University landed the #6 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best homeland security, law enforcement and firefighting programs. Located in the fringe town of Orange Beach, Columbia Southern University is a private for-profit college with a large student population.

While working on their degree, homeland security, law enforcement and firefighting majors at Columbia Southern University accumulate an average of around $22,904 in student debt.

Read More…

#7

University of Florida

Gainesville, FL

University of Florida did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best schools for homeland security, law enforcement and firefighting students. It came in at #7 on the list. UF is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville.

Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting majors at UF take out an average of $17,864 in student loans while working on their egree.

Read full report on Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting at University of Florida

Citadel Military College of South Carolina landed the #8 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best homeland security, law enforcement and firefighting programs. Located in the city of Charleston, The Citadel is a public school with a small student population.

Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting majors at The Citadel take out an average of $24,000 in student loans while working on their egree. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $633.

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Fort Myers Technical College ranked #9 on this year’s Best Law Enforcement & Firefighting Schools in the Southeast Region list. Fort Myers Technical College is a fairly small public school located in the small city of Fort Myers.

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#10

University of Georgia

Athens, GA

With a ranking of #10, University of Georgia did quite well on this year’s best schools for homeland security, law enforcement and firefighting students. Located in the city of Athens, UGA is a public college with a very large student population.

Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting majors at UGA take out an average of $22,195 in student loans while working on their egree.

Full Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting at University of Georgia Report

#11

Bethel University

McKenzie, TN

With a ranking of #11, Bethel University did quite well on this year’s best schools for homeland security, law enforcement and firefighting students. Bethel is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of McKenzie.

On average, homeland security, law enforcement and firefighting graduates from Bethel take out $28,216 in student loans while working on their degree.

Read full report on Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting at Bethel University

#12

University of Florida-Online

Gainesville, FL

University of Florida-Online did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best schools for homeland security, law enforcement and firefighting students. It came in at #12 on the list. Located in the midsize city of Gainesville, UF Online is a public college with a medium-sized student population.

On average, homeland security, law enforcement and firefighting graduates from UF Online take out $17,864 in student loans while working on their degree.

Full Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting at University of Florida-Online Report

Withlacoochee Technical College came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Law Enforcement & Firefighting Schools in the Southeast Region ranking. WTC is a small public school located in the small suburb of Inverness.

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#14

George Mason University

Fairfax, VA

George Mason University landed the #14 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best homeland security, law enforcement and firefighting programs. Located in the large suburb of Fairfax, GMU is a public school with a fairly large student population.

Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting majors at GMU take out an average of $19,938 in student loans while working on their egree. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $411.

Read full report on Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting at George Mason University

#15

University of Mount Olive

Mount Olive, NC

University of Mount Olive ranked #15 on this year’s Best Law Enforcement & Firefighting Schools in the Southeast Region list. UMO is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Mount Olive.

On average, homeland security, law enforcement and firefighting graduates from UMO take out $30,515 in student loans while working on their degree.

Read full report on Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting at University of Mount Olive

#16

Lees - McRae College

Banner Elk, NC

With a ranking of #16, Lees - McRae College did quite well on this year’s best schools for homeland security, law enforcement and firefighting students. Lees - McRae College is a fairly small private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Banner Elk.

The average amount in student loans that homeland security, law enforcement and firefighting majors at Lees - McRae College take out is $16,214.

Read full report on Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting at Lees - McRae College

Northern Virginia Community College ranked #17 on this year’s Best Law Enforcement & Firefighting Schools in the Southeast Region list. Northern Virginia Community College is a very large public school located in the large suburb of Annandale.

Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting majors at Northern Virginia Community College take out an average of $24,500 in student loans while working on their egree.

Read full report on Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting at Northern Virginia Community College

American Public University System did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best schools for homeland security, law enforcement and firefighting students. It came in at #18 on the list. Located in the town of Charles Town, American Military University is a private for-profit college with a very large student population.

On average, homeland security, law enforcement and firefighting graduates from American Military University take out $16,312 in student loans while working on their degree.

Read More…

#19

Western Carolina University

Cullowhee, NC

Western Carolina University came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Law Enforcement & Firefighting Schools in the Southeast Region ranking. WCU is a large public school located in the town of Cullowhee.

Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting majors at WCU take out an average of $21,928 in student loans while working on their egree. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $195, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.

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Rasmussen University - Florida did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best schools for homeland security, law enforcement and firefighting students. It came in at #20 on the list. Located in the small city of Ocala, Rasmussen University - Florida is a private for-profit college with a moderately-sized student population.

The average amount in student loans that homeland security, law enforcement and firefighting majors at Rasmussen University - Florida take out is $30,315.

Full Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting at Rasmussen University - Florida Report

#21

Bellarmine University

Louisville, KY

Bellarmine University landed the #21 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best homeland security, law enforcement and firefighting programs. Bellarmine U is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Louisville.

After completing their degree, homeland security, law enforcement and firefighting graduates from Bellarmine U carry an average student debtload of $25,637.

Read full report on Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting at Bellarmine University

#22

Kennesaw State University

Kennesaw, GA

Kennesaw State University ranked #22 on this year’s Best Law Enforcement & Firefighting Schools in the Southeast Region list. KSU Georgia is a very large public school located in the large suburb of Kennesaw.

On average, homeland security, law enforcement and firefighting graduates from KSU Georgia take out $27,767 in student loans while working on their degree. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $317.

Read More…

#23

Marymount University

Arlington, VA

Marymount University ranked #23 on this year’s Best Law Enforcement & Firefighting Schools in the Southeast Region list. Located in the medium-sized city of Arlington, Marymount is a private not-for-profit college with a small student population.

While working on their degree, homeland security, law enforcement and firefighting majors at Marymount accumulate an average of around $25,000 in student debt. When it comes time to repay the loan, graduates who are on a 10-year repayment plan pay an average monthly payment of $588.

Full Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting at Marymount University Report

#24

Harding University

Searcy, AR

With a ranking of #24, Harding University did quite well on this year’s best schools for homeland security, law enforcement and firefighting students. Located in the town of Searcy, Harding is a private not-for-profit college with a small student population.

The average amount in student loans that homeland security, law enforcement and firefighting majors at Harding take out is $25,946.

Read full report on Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting at Harding University

#25

University of North Georgia

Dahlonega, GA

University of North Georgia came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Law Enforcement & Firefighting Schools in the Southeast Region ranking. UNG is a large public school located in the distant town of Dahlonega.

After completing their degree, homeland security, law enforcement and firefighting graduates from UNG carry an average student debtload of $20,500. When it comes time to repay the loan, graduates who are on a 10-year repayment plan pay an average monthly payment of $156.

Read More…

Rest of the Top Best Law Enforcement & Firefighting Schools in the Southeast Region

#27

Georgia State University

Atlanta, GA
#29

Columbia College

Columbia, SC
#30

Shorter University

Rome, GA
#32

Florida State University

Tallahassee, FL
#34

Radford University

Radford, VA
#36

Roanoke College

Salem, VA
#38

Liberty University

Lynchburg, VA
#39

Virginia Wesleyan University

Virginia Beach, VA
#40

Augusta University

Augusta, GA

Honorable Mentions

Here are some additional great schools for Law Enforcement & Firefighting students in the Southeast Region that almost earned our Best Law Enforcement & Firefighting Schools in the Southeast Region award.

Rank College Location
41 King University Bristol, TN
42 Appalachian State University Boone, NC
43 Mississippi College Clinton, MS
44 University of Louisville Louisville, KY
45 Charleston Southern University Charleston, SC
46 University of South Carolina - Columbia Columbia, SC
47 Mercer University Macon, GA
48 The University of Tennessee - Martin Martin, TN
49 Saint Leo University Saint Leo, FL
50 North Carolina Central University Durham, NC
51 Georgia Military College Milledgeville, GA
52 ECPI University Virginia Beach, VA
53 Strayer University - Virginia Arlington, VA

Best Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting Colleges by State

Explore the best homeland security, law enforcement and firefighting schools for a specific state in the Southeast region.

State Degrees Awarded
North Carolina 3,253
West Virginia 2,543
South Carolina 1,049
Florida 6,464
Virginia 3,572
Arkansas 735
Mississippi 640
Louisiana 1,112
Alabama 2,863
Kentucky 1,321
Georgia 2,338
Tennessee 1,330

Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting Majors to Study

Major Annual Graduates
Criminal Justice & Corrections 113,121
Fire Protection 13,766
Homeland Security 7,140
Security Science and Technology 6,888
Other Homeland Security 1,695

Related Major Annual Graduates
Public Administration & Social Service 98,583
Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies 73,813
Legal Professions 61,055
Military Technologies & Applied Sciences 4,477

Notes and References

*These averages are for the top 25 schools only.

  • Read more about our ranking methodology.
  • The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) serves as the core of the rest of our data about colleges.
  • Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
  • Credit for the banner image above goes to Barry Bahler.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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