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2023 Best Value Law Enforcement & Firefighting Schools

Identifying Quality Schools at More Affordable Prices

1,011 Colleges
$6,620 Avg Tuition & Fees*
$37,355 Avg Salary

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

In 2020-2021, 142,610 people earned a degree or certificate in homeland security, law enforcement and firefighting, making the major the #12 most popular in the United States.

With all the programs available today, it can be tough to choose which one is the best 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.

The Best Value Law Enforcement & Firefighting Schools ranking is one of many tools that Course Advisor has developed to help you make your educational decision. This report analyzed 1,011 schools in the United States to see which ones offered the best value programs for homeland security, law enforcement and firefighting students. The goal was to highlight schools with more affordable prices than others offering similar quality experiences.

Our ranking of value is based on the quality of a program as defined in our per sticker price dollar. More specifically, we discount our quality score by the published tuition and fees charged by a school. This gives the cost per unit of quality for each college. The value is determined by how much quality your dollar buys.

In our regional and nationwide rankings, out-of-state tution and fees are used in our calculations. Average in-state tuition and fees are used for our statewide rankings.

2023 Best Value Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting Schools in the United States

The following schools top our list of the Best Value Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting Colleges.

Top 25 Best Schools for Affordable Quality in Law Enforcement & Firefighting

$3,780 Average Tuition & Fees

Our analysis found Southeast Community College Area to be the best value school for homeland security, law enforcement and firefighting students who want to pursue a degree in the United States. Southeast Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Lincoln.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Southeast Community College are $3,780 per year. On average, homeland security, law enforcement and firefighting graduates from Southeast Community College take out $14,578 in student loans while working on their degree.

Full Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting at Southeast Community College Area Report

#2

Nichols College

Dudley, MA
$37,300 Average Tuition & Fees

The excellent programs at Nichols College helped the school earn the #2 place on this year’s ranking of the best homeland security, law enforcement and firefighting schools in the United States. Nichols is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Dudley.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Nichols are $37,300 per year. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting majors at Nichols take out an average of $27,000 in student loans while working on their egree.

Read More…

#3

Columbia Southern University

Orange Beach, AL

The excellent programs at Columbia Southern University helped the school earn the #3 place on this year’s ranking of the best homeland security, law enforcement and firefighting schools in the United States. Columbia Southern University is a large private for-profit school located in the fringe town of Orange Beach.

Columbia Southern University undergraduate students pay an average of $5,775 in tuition and fees each year. On average, homeland security, law enforcement and firefighting graduates from Columbia Southern University take out $22,904 in student loans while working on their degree.

In addition to its great value ranking, Columbia Southern University is in the top 10% of all schools on our Best Law Enforcement & Firefighting Schools list.

Read More…

#4

Camden County College

Blackwood, NJ
$3,744 Average Tuition & Fees

A rank of #4 on this year’s list means Camden County College is a great value for homeland security, law enforcement and firefighting students. Camden County College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Blackwood.

Camden County College undergraduate students pay an average of $3,744 in tuition and fees each year. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting majors at Camden County College take out an average of $13,050 in student loans while working on their egree.

Read More…

$5,010 Average Tuition & Fees

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Northeast Community College. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Value Law Enforcement & Firefighting Schools list. Located in the town of Norfolk, Northeast is a public college with a medium-sized student population.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at Northeast are $5,010 a year. The average amount in student loans that homeland security, law enforcement and firefighting majors at Northeast take out is $11,079.

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

Alexandria Technical & Community College came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Law Enforcement & Firefighting Schools ranking. Located in the remote town of Alexandria, ATCC is a public school with a small student population.

ATCC undergraduate students pay an average of $5,910 in tuition and fees each year. The average amount in student loans that homeland security, law enforcement and firefighting majors at ATCC take out is $15,750.

In addition to its great value ranking, ATCC is in the top 15% of all schools on our Best Law Enforcement & Firefighting Schools list.

Full Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting at Alexandria Technical & Community College Report

#7

North Hennepin Community College

Brooklyn Park, MN

North Hennepin Community College landed the #7 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value homeland security, law enforcement and firefighting programs. Located in the suburb of Brooklyn Park, North Hennepin Community College is a public school with a medium-sized student population.

North Hennepin Community College undergraduate students pay an average of $4,882 in tuition and fees each year. The average amount in student loans that homeland security, law enforcement and firefighting majors at North Hennepin Community College take out is $25,850.

North Hennepin Community College excels when it comes to quality. It’s ranked in the top 10% of all schools on our Best Law Enforcement & Firefighting Schools list.

Read More…

#8

Amarillo College

Amarillo, TX
$4,704 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #8, Amarillo College did quite well on this year’s best value schools for homeland security, law enforcement and firefighting students. Located in the city of Amarillo, Amarillo College is a public school with a moderately-sized student population.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at Amarillo College are $4,704 a year. After completing their degree, homeland security, law enforcement and firefighting graduates from Amarillo College carry an average student debtload of $16,751.

Read More…

$5,815 Average Tuition & Fees

Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Law Enforcement & Firefighting Schools list. Located in the town of Cloquet, Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College is a public college with a small student population.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College are $5,815 per year. While working on their degree, homeland security, law enforcement and firefighting majors at Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College accumulate an average of around $17,750 in student debt.

Read full report on Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting at Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College

#10

Normandale Community College

Bloomington, MN

Normandale Community College came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Law Enforcement & Firefighting Schools ranking. Located in the city of Bloomington, Normandale Community College is a public school with a medium-sized student population.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at Normandale Community College are $5,789 a year.

In addition to its great value ranking, Normandale Community College is in the top 10% of all schools on our Best Law Enforcement & Firefighting Schools list.

Full Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting at Normandale Community College Report

Northcentral Technical College ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Law Enforcement & Firefighting Schools list. Located in the small city of Wausau, North Central Technical College is a public college with a medium-sized student population.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at North Central Technical College are $5,415 a year. After completing their degree, homeland security, law enforcement and firefighting graduates from North Central Technical College carry an average student debtload of $13,322.

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

$4,104 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #12, New Mexico State University - Grants did quite well on this year’s best value schools for homeland security, law enforcement and firefighting students. Located in the town of Grants, NMSU Grants is a public college with a small student population.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at NMSU Grants are $4,104 per year. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting majors at NMSU Grants take out an average of $6,750 in student loans while working on their egree.

Full Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting at New Mexico State University - Grants Report

#13

Lake Region State College

Devils Lake, ND
$5,000 Average Tuition & Fees

Lake Region State College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value schools for homeland security, law enforcement and firefighting students. It came in at #13 on the list. Lake Region State College is a small public school located in the remote town of Devils Lake.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Lake Region State College are $5,000 per year. The average amount in student loans that homeland security, law enforcement and firefighting majors at Lake Region State College take out is $12,750.

Read More…

#14

Lakeshore Technical College

Cleveland, WI
$6,056 Average Tuition & Fees

Lakeshore Technical College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value schools for homeland security, law enforcement and firefighting students. It came in at #14 on the list. LTC is a small public school located in the rural area of Cleveland.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at LTC are $6,056 a year.

Read More…

#15

South Plains College

Levelland, TX
$4,276 Average Tuition & Fees

South Plains College came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Law Enforcement & Firefighting Schools ranking. South Plains College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Levelland.

South Plains College undergraduate students pay an average of $4,276 in tuition and fees each year.

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

Southwest Wisconsin Technical College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value schools for homeland security, law enforcement and firefighting students. It came in at #16 on the list. Located in the rural area of Fennimore, Southwest Tech is a public school with a small student population.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Southwest Tech are $6,683 per year. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting majors at Southwest Tech take out an average of $10,000 in student loans while working on their egree.

In addition to its great value ranking, Southwest Tech is in the top 20% of all schools on our Best Law Enforcement & Firefighting Schools list.

Read full report on Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting at Southwest Wisconsin Technical College

#17

Mid-State Technical College

Wisconsin Rapids, WI
$6,351 Average Tuition & Fees

Mid-State Technical College came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Law Enforcement & Firefighting Schools ranking. Mid-State is a small public school located in the rural area of Wisconsin Rapids.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Mid-State are $6,351 per year.

Full Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting at Mid-State Technical College Report

Metropolitan Community College ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value Law Enforcement & Firefighting Schools list. MCC is a fairly large public school located in the city of Omaha.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at MCC are $4,680 a year. On average, homeland security, law enforcement and firefighting graduates from MCC take out $13,539 in student loans while working on their degree.

Full Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting at Metropolitan Community College Report

$8,022 Average Tuition & Fees

Eastern Gateway Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value schools for homeland security, law enforcement and firefighting students. It came in at #19 on the list. Eastern Gateway Community College is a fairly large public school located in the city of Steubenville.

Eastern Gateway Community College undergraduate students pay an average of $8,022 in tuition and fees each year.

Read More…

$5,254 Average Tuition & Fees

Inter American University of Puerto Rico - Barranquitas came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Law Enforcement & Firefighting Schools ranking. Inter American University of Puerto Rico - Barranquitas is a small private not-for-profit school located in the large suburb of Barranquitas.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at Inter American University of Puerto Rico - Barranquitas are $5,254 a year.

Read More…

#21

Oakland Community College

Bloomfield Hills, MI
$5,200 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #21, Oakland Community College did quite well on this year’s best value schools for homeland security, law enforcement and firefighting students. Oakland Community College is a fairly large public school located in the large suburb of Bloomfield Hills.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Oakland Community College are $5,200 per year. The average amount in student loans that homeland security, law enforcement and firefighting majors at Oakland Community College take out is $15,682.

Full Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting at Oakland Community College Report

#23

Tyler Junior College

Tyler, TX
$4,440 Average Tuition & Fees

Tyler Junior College came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Law Enforcement & Firefighting Schools ranking. Tyler Junior College is a fairly large public school located in the midsize city of Tyler.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at Tyler Junior College are $4,440 a year. The average amount in student loans that homeland security, law enforcement and firefighting majors at Tyler Junior College take out is $11,875.

Read More…

#24

Hennepin Technical College

Brooklyn Park, MN
$5,741 Average Tuition & Fees

Hennepin Technical College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value schools for homeland security, law enforcement and firefighting students. It came in at #24 on the list. Located in the large suburb of Brooklyn Park, Hennepin Technical College is a public college with a small student population.

Hennepin Technical College undergraduate students pay an average of $5,741 in tuition and fees each year. The average amount in student loans that homeland security, law enforcement and firefighting majors at Hennepin Technical College take out is $20,396.

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

#25

El Centro College

Dallas, TX

El Centro College landed the #25 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value homeland security, law enforcement and firefighting programs. El Centro College is a fairly large public school located in the city of Dallas.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at El Centro College are $6,000 a year. The average amount in student loans that homeland security, law enforcement and firefighting majors at El Centro College take out is $13,692.

El Centro College excels when it comes to quality. It’s ranked in the top 10% of all schools on our Best Law Enforcement & Firefighting Schools list.

Read More…

Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Law Enforcement & Firefighting Schools

#26

Inver Hills Community College

Inver Grove Heights, MN
#30

Western Technical College

La Crosse, WI
#31

College of the Mainland

Texas City, TX
#36

Century College

White Bear Lake, MN
#38

Wayne State College

Wayne, NE
#40

Chadron State College

Chadron, NE
#43

Santa Ana College

Santa Ana, CA
#44

Schoolcraft College

Livonia, MI
#46

College of Southern Idaho

Twin Falls, ID
#49

Granite State College

Concord, NH
#50

Lone Star College System

The Woodlands, TX

Remaining Award Winners

This list represents the rest of the schools awarded a Best Value Law Enforcement & Firefighting Schools badge. Showing in this list means the college was ranked in the top 15% of the 1011 different United States homeland security, law enforcement and firefighting schools we analyzed.

Rank College Location
51 College of Western Idaho Nampa, ID
52 Itawamba Community College Fulton, MS
53 Georgia Military College Milledgeville, GA
54 Johnson County Community College Overland Park, KS
55 El Paso Community College El Paso, TX
56 Hibbing Community College Hibbing, MN
57 Spokane Community College Spokane, WA
58 Macomb Community College Warren, MI
59 Jefferson College Hillsboro, MO
59 Delgado Community College New Orleans, LA
61 Bemidji State University Bemidji, MN
62 Southwestern Illinois College Belleville, IL
63 McLennan Community College Waco, TX
64 Napa Valley College Napa, CA
65 New Mexico State University - Dona Ana Las Cruces, NM
66 Rowan College of South Jersey Gloucester Campus Sewell, NJ
66 University of North Carolina at Pembroke Pembroke, NC
68 South Texas College McAllen, TX
69 Western Carolina University Cullowhee, NC
70 New Mexico State University - Alamogordo Alamogordo, NM
71 Southeast Technical College Sioux Falls, SD
72 Park University Parkville, MO
73 Hawkeye Community College Waterloo, IA
74 Golden West College Huntington Beach, CA
75 Baton Rouge Community College Baton Rouge, LA
76 North Georgia Technical College Clarkesville, GA
77 Rio Salado College Tempe, AZ
78 Blackhawk Technical College Janesville, WI
79 Northeast Wisconsin Technical College Green Bay, WI
80 Herzing University - Brookfield Brookfield, WI
81 Santa Rosa Junior College Santa Rosa, CA
82 Moreno Valley College Moreno Valley, CA
83 Raritan Valley Community College Branchburg, NJ
84 Herzing University - Minneapolis Minneapolis, MN
85 Middlesex County College Edison, NJ
86 Hutchinson Community College Hutchinson, KS
87 Herzing University - Atlanta Atlanta, GA
88 Community College of Baltimore County Baltimore, MD
89 Minot State University Minot, ND
90 Augusta Technical College Augusta, GA
91 Indian Hills Community College Ottumwa, IA
92 Laredo College Laredo, TX
93 Western Dakota Technical Institute Rapid City, SD
94 Henry Ford College Dearborn, MI
95 Ivy Tech Community College Indianapolis, IN
96 Herzing University - Akron Akron, OH
97 Southern Arkansas University Tech Camden, AR
98 Massachusetts Bay Community College Wellesley Hills, MA
99 Herzing University - Kenner Kenner, LA
100 SOWELA Technical Community College Lake Charles, LA
101 Herzing University - Kenosha Kenosha, WI
102 Herzing University - Birmingham Birmingham, AL
103 Genesee Community College Batavia, NY
104 North Shore Community College Danvers, MA
104 Gwinnett Technical College Lawrenceville, GA
104 Jefferson Community College Watertown, NY
107 Savannah Technical College Savannah, GA
107 Bellevue University Bellevue, NE
109 Wor-Wic Community College Salisbury, MD
110 Trine University-Regional/Non-Traditional Campuses Fort Wayne, IN
111 Herzing University - Madison Madison, WI
112 University of Maryland Global Campus Adelphi, MD
113 Metropolitan State University Saint Paul, MN
114 Moraine Park Technical College Fond du Lac, WI
114 South Georgia Technical College Americus, GA
116 Wiregrass Georgia Technical College Valdosta, GA
117 Ocean County College Toms River, NJ
118 Elizabeth City State University Elizabeth City, NC
119 Southwest Texas Junior College Uvalde, TX
120 University of the Cumberlands Williamsburg, KY
120 Grantham University Lenexa, KS
122 Central Georgia Technical College Warner Robins, GA
123 Inter American University of Puerto Rico - Ponce Mercedita, PR
124 Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College Shell Lake, WI
124 Bossier Parish Community College Bossier City, LA
126 Georgia Northwestern Technical College Rome, GA
126 University of Phoenix - Arizona Tempe, AZ
128 Herzing University - Winter Park Winter Park, FL
128 Rowan College at Burlington County Mount Laurel, NJ
130 Peru State College Peru, NE
131 Pitt Community College Winterville, NC
132 Des Moines Area Community College Ankeny, IA
133 Atlantic Cape Community College Mays Landing, NJ
134 Queensborough Community College Bayside, NY
135 Albany Technical College Albany, GA
135 Inter American University of Puerto Rico - Arecibo Arecibo, PR
137 Central Ohio Technical College Newark, OH
138 The University of Arizona Global Campus San Diego, CA
139 National American University - Ellsworth AFB Extension Ellsworth Air Force Base, SD
140 Forsyth Technical Community College Winston-Salem, NC
141 Guilford Technical Community College Jamestown, NC
141 Minneapolis Community and Technical College Minneapolis, MN
141 Finger Lakes Community College Canandaigua, NY
144 Southern Illinois University Carbondale Carbondale, IL
145 Milwaukee Area Technical College Milwaukee, WI
146 Saint Louis Community College Saint Louis, MO
146 Bronx Community College Bronx, NY
148 University of Phoenix - California Costa Mesa, CA
149 Northern Virginia Community College Annandale, VA
150 Union Institute & University Cincinnati, OH
151 Southern Maine Community College South Portland, ME

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 Value Law Enforcement & Firefighting Schools award.

Rank College Location
152 John Tyler Community College Chester, VA
152 Washtenaw Community College Ann Arbor, MI
154 Sussex County Community College Newton, NJ
155 University of Phoenix - Hawaii Honolulu, HI
156 Chipola College Marianna, FL
156 Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Edwardsville, IL
158 Middlesex Community College Bedford, MA
159 Western Illinois University Macomb, IL
160 Houston Community College Houston, TX
160 Grand Rapids Community College Grand Rapids, MI
162 Eastern New Mexico University - Main Campus Portales, NM
163 Hostos Community College Bronx, NY
164 University of South Dakota Vermillion, SD
165 Essex County College Newark, NJ
166 Wilmington University New Castle, DE
167 Greenville Technical College Greenville, SC
168 Borough of Manhattan Community College New York, NY
169 Delaware Technical Community College - Terry Dover, DE
169 Middle Georgia State University Macon, GA
171 Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg, PA
172 Phoenix College Phoenix, AZ
172 Bethel University McKenzie, TN
174 Walden University Minneapolis, MN
175 Indiana Wesleyan University - National & Global Marion, IN
176 Hillsborough Community College Tampa, FL
176 Nash Community College Rocky Mount, NC
176 Fulton-Montgomery Community College Johnstown, NY
179 Mineral Area College Park Hills, MO
180 Arizona State University - Skysong Scottsdale, AZ
181 Marion Technical College Marion, OH
181 Concordia University, Saint Paul Saint Paul, MN
181 Cochise County Community College District Sierra Vista, AZ
184 Stark State College North Canton, OH
184 Aims Community College Greeley, CO
186 Central Piedmont Community College Charlotte, NC
187 Surry Community College Dobson, NC
188 Southwestern College Chula Vista, CA
189 Ferris State University Big Rapids, MI
190 Suffolk County Community College Selden, NY
190 National University La Jolla, CA
192 Purdue University Global Indianapolis, IN
193 West Texas A&M University Canyon, TX
194 Franklin University Columbus, OH
195 Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University - Worldwide Daytona Beach, FL
196 University of Phoenix - Nevada Las Vegas, NV
196 LaGuardia Community College Long Island City, NY
198 Brookdale Community College Lincroft, NJ
199 Youngstown State University Youngstown, OH
200 Valencia College Orlando, FL
200 Charleston Southern University Charleston, SC
202 Drury University - College of Continuing Professional Studies Springfield, MO
202 El Camino College Torrance, CA

Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting by Region

View the Best Value Law Enforcement & Firefighting Schools for a specific region near you.

Region
Southeast
New England
Rocky Mountains
Plains States
Middle Atlantic
Far Western US
Southwest
Great Lakes

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

Majors Similar to Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting

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.

  • 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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