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Best Law Enforcement & Firefighting Schools in the Plains States Region

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2023 Best Law Enforcement & Firefighting Schools in the Plains States Region

95 Colleges
$42,569 Avg Salary
$29,396 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.

When it comes to higher education, there are a lot of options for students. 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 Plains States Region ranking. This report analyzed 95 schools in the Plains States Region to see which ones offered the best programs for students.

View our full ranking methodology.

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

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

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

Our analysis found Herzing University - Minneapolis to be the best school for homeland security, law enforcement and firefighting students who want to pursue a degree in the Plains States Region . Herzing University - Minneapolis is a small private not-for-profit school located in the large suburb of Minneapolis.

Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting majors at Herzing University - Minneapolis take out an average of $25,971 in student loans while working on their egree.

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

A rank of #2 on this year’s list means Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota is a great place for homeland security, law enforcement and firefighting students. SMU MN is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Winona.

The average amount in student loans that homeland security, law enforcement and firefighting majors at SMU MN take out is $26,225.

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You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of St Thomas Minnesota. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Law Enforcement & Firefighting Schools in the Plains States Region list. UST MN is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Saint Paul.

Full Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting at University of St Thomas Minnesota Report

Out of the 95 schools in the Plains States Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Central Christian College of Kansas landed the # 4 spot on the list. Located in the town of McPherson, Central Christian College is a private not-for-profit college with a fairly small student population.

On average, homeland security, law enforcement and firefighting graduates from Central Christian College take out $31,445 in student loans while working on their degree.

Read full report on Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting at Central Christian College of Kansas

#5

Southwestern College

Winfield, KS

The excellent programs at Southwestern College helped the school earn the #5 place on this year’s ranking of the best homeland security, law enforcement and firefighting schools in the Plains States Region . SC is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Winfield.

After completing their degree, homeland security, law enforcement and firefighting graduates from SC carry an average student debtload of $22,849.

Read full report on Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting at Southwestern College

Bemidji State University landed the #6 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best homeland security, law enforcement and firefighting programs. Located in the remote town of Bemidji, Bemidji State University is a public school with a small student population.

While working on their degree, homeland security, law enforcement and firefighting majors at Bemidji State University accumulate an average of around $22,769 in student debt.

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Alexandria Technical & Community College ranked #7 on this year’s Best Law Enforcement & Firefighting Schools in the Plains States Region list. Located in the remote town of Alexandria, ATCC is a public school with a small student population.

The average amount in student loans that homeland security, law enforcement and firefighting majors at ATCC take out is $15,750.

Read full report on Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting at Alexandria Technical & Community College

With a ranking of #8, Minnesota State University - Mankato did quite well on this year’s best schools for homeland security, law enforcement and firefighting students. Located in the city of Mankato, Minnesota State Mankato is a public school with a large student population.

On average, homeland security, law enforcement and firefighting graduates from Minnesota State Mankato take out $25,834 in student loans while working on their degree.

Read full report on Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting at Minnesota State University - Mankato

#9

Loras College

Dubuque, IA

With a ranking of #9, Loras College did quite well on this year’s best schools for homeland security, law enforcement and firefighting students. Loras is a small private not-for-profit school located in the small city of Dubuque.

After completing their degree, homeland security, law enforcement and firefighting graduates from Loras carry an average student debtload of $24,000.

Read full report on Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting at Loras College

#10

Simpson College

Indianola, IA

Simpson College came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Law Enforcement & Firefighting Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. Simpson College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the fringe town of Indianola.

While working on their degree, homeland security, law enforcement and firefighting majors at Simpson College accumulate an average of around $27,000 in student debt.

Full Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting at Simpson College Report

#11

University of North Dakota

Grand Forks, ND

University of North Dakota landed the #11 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best homeland security, law enforcement and firefighting programs. Located in the city of Grand Forks, UND is a public school with a fairly large student population.

The average amount in student loans that homeland security, law enforcement and firefighting majors at UND take out is $25,625.

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

#12

University of South Dakota

Vermillion, SD

With a ranking of #12, University of South Dakota did quite well on this year’s best schools for homeland security, law enforcement and firefighting students. USD is a moderately-sized public school located in the distant town of Vermillion.

While working on their degree, homeland security, law enforcement and firefighting majors at USD accumulate an average of around $26,000 in student debt. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $136.

Read More…

#13

Wayne State College

Wayne, NE

Wayne State College came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Law Enforcement & Firefighting Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. WSC is a small public school located in the town of Wayne.

After completing their degree, homeland security, law enforcement and firefighting graduates from WSC carry an average student debtload of $25,086.

Full Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting at Wayne State College Report

#14

Saint Louis University

Saint Louis, MO

Saint Louis University came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Law Enforcement & Firefighting Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. SLU is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Saint Louis.

Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting majors at SLU take out an average of $26,500 in student loans while working on their egree.

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

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 Plains States Region award.

Rank College Location
15 Waldorf University Forest City, IA
16 Winona State University Winona, MN
17 Fort Hays State University Hays, KS
18 Saint Cloud State University Saint Cloud, MN
19 Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College Cloquet, MN

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 Plains States region.

State Degrees Awarded
Kansas 722
Minnesota 1,643
Iowa 883
South Dakota 154
Missouri 1,500
Nebraska 729
North Dakota 271

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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