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Best Law Enforcement & Firefighting Schools in the Southwest Region

2023 Best Law Enforcement & Firefighting Schools in the Southwest Region

100 Colleges
$36,065 Avg Salary
$25,607 Avg Student Debt

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

Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting is the #12 most popular major in the country with 142,610 degrees and certificates awarded in 2020-2021.

There are lots of options to pick from today when trying to decide which program is right for you. As online education oppotunities continue to grow, you're not restricted to just schools in your local area anymore. Even some of the 'big name' schools are offering online courses. Also, there are a number of trade schools with offerings that you might find attractive.

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 Southwest Region ranking. Our analysis looked at 100 schools in the Southwest 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 Southwest Region

Check out the homeland security, law enforcement and firefighting programs at these schools if you want to get the best education that money can buy.

Top 15% Best Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting Schools

#1

Wayland Baptist University

Plainview, TX

Our analysis found Wayland Baptist University to be the best school for homeland security, law enforcement and firefighting students who want to pursue a degree in the Southwest Region . Located in the town of Plainview, Wayland Baptist University is a private not-for-profit school with a small student population.

While working on their degree, homeland security, law enforcement and firefighting majors at Wayland Baptist University accumulate an average of around $18,391 in student debt.

Full Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting at Wayland Baptist University Report

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You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Oklahoma Norman Campus. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Law Enforcement & Firefighting Schools in the Southwest Region list. University of Oklahoma is a very large public school located in the medium-sized suburb of Norman.

On average, homeland security, law enforcement and firefighting graduates from University of Oklahoma take out $28,623 in student loans while working on their degree.

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You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Texas A & M University - Central Texas. The school came in at #3 on this year’s Best Law Enforcement & Firefighting Schools in the Southwest Region list. Located in the rural area of Killeen, Texas A & M University - Central Texas is a public college with a small student population.

On average, homeland security, law enforcement and firefighting graduates from Texas A & M University - Central Texas take out $23,288 in student loans while working on their degree.

Full Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting at Texas A & M University - Central Texas Report

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#4

Texas Christian University

Fort Worth, TX

A rank of #4 on this year’s list means Texas Christian University is a great place for homeland security, law enforcement and firefighting students. TCU is a fairly large private not-for-profit school located in the large city of Fort Worth.

While working on their degree, homeland security, law enforcement and firefighting majors at TCU accumulate an average of around $25,387 in student debt.

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Out of the 100 schools in the Southwest Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Sam Houston State University landed the # 5 spot on the list. Located in the town of Huntsville, SHSU is a public school with a fairly large student population.

After completing their degree, homeland security, law enforcement and firefighting graduates from SHSU carry an average student debtload of $24,000. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $162.

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Oklahoma State University - Main Campus did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best schools for homeland security, law enforcement and firefighting students. It came in at #6 on the list. Located in the town of Stillwater, OSU is a public college with a fairly large student population.

After completing their degree, homeland security, law enforcement and firefighting graduates from OSU carry an average student debtload of $26,000. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $468.

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With a ranking of #7, University of Phoenix - Arizona did quite well on this year’s best schools for homeland security, law enforcement and firefighting students. UOPX - Arizona is a very large private for-profit school located in the large city of Tempe.

The average amount in student loans that homeland security, law enforcement and firefighting majors at UOPX - Arizona take out is $38,923. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $182.

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#8

South Texas College

McAllen, TX

South Texas College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best schools for homeland security, law enforcement and firefighting students. It came in at #8 on the list. South Texas College is a very large public school located in the midsize city of McAllen.

While working on their degree, homeland security, law enforcement and firefighting majors at South Texas College accumulate an average of around $6,750 in student debt.

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#9

Rio Salado College

Tempe, AZ

Rio Salado College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best schools for homeland security, law enforcement and firefighting students. It came in at #9 on the list. Rio Salado College is a large public school located in the medium-sized city of Tempe.

After completing their degree, homeland security, law enforcement and firefighting graduates from Rio Salado College carry an average student debtload of $9,131.

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#10

El Centro College

Dallas, TX

El Centro College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best schools for homeland security, law enforcement and firefighting students. It came in at #10 on the list. El Centro College is a fairly large public school located in the city of Dallas.

The average amount in student loans that homeland security, law enforcement and firefighting majors at El Centro College take out is $13,692.

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University of Houston - Downtown landed the #11 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best homeland security, law enforcement and firefighting programs. Located in the large city of Houston, UH Downtown is a public college with a large student population.

While working on their degree, homeland security, law enforcement and firefighting majors at UH Downtown accumulate an average of around $29,750 in student debt.

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#12

Grand Canyon University

Phoenix, AZ

With a ranking of #12, Grand Canyon University did quite well on this year’s best schools for homeland security, law enforcement and firefighting students. Grand Canyon University is a very large private for-profit school located in the city of Phoenix.

The average amount in student loans that homeland security, law enforcement and firefighting majors at Grand Canyon University take out is $26,622. When it comes time to repay the loan, graduates who are on a 10-year repayment plan pay an average monthly payment of $213.

Full Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting at Grand Canyon University Report

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University of North Texas did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best schools for homeland security, law enforcement and firefighting students. It came in at #13 on the list. UNT is a fairly large public school located in the medium-sized city of Denton.

Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting majors at UNT take out an average of $20,375 in student loans while working on their egree. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $215.

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With a ranking of #14, Arizona State University - Skysong did quite well on this year’s best schools for homeland security, law enforcement and firefighting students. Located in the midsize city of Scottsdale, ASU - Skysong is a public school with a very large student population.

After completing their degree, homeland security, law enforcement and firefighting graduates from ASU - Skysong carry an average student debtload of $21,520. When it comes time to repay the loan, graduates who are on a 10-year repayment plan pay an average monthly payment of $329.

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#15

Tarleton State University

Stephenville, TX

Tarleton State University came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Law Enforcement & Firefighting Schools in the Southwest Region ranking. Located in the remote town of Stephenville, Tarleton is a public college with a fairly large student population.

The average amount in student loans that homeland security, law enforcement and firefighting majors at Tarleton take out is $24,250. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $152, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.

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Additional Noteworthy Schools

These are some additional schools worth mentioning that are also great but just didn't quite make the cut to earn our top Best Law Enforcement & Firefighting Schools in the Southwest Region award.

Rank College Location
16 Our Lady of the Lake University San Antonio, TX
17 The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley Edinburg, TX
18 Amarillo College Amarillo, TX
19 West Texas A&M University Canyon, TX
20 University of the Incarnate Word San Antonio, TX

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 Southwest region.

State Degrees Awarded
Arizona 3,897
Texas 8,278
New Mexico 630
Oklahoma 1,017

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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