2026 Best Value Protective Security Safety Services Doctoral Degree Schools
Looking for the best-value Protective Security Safety Services doctoral degree programs in the United States? This list ranks 2040 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.
So you can compare your options, Course Advisor reviewed schools to compile 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 Protective Security Safety Services Doctoral Degree Schools in the United States
Here are the top-ranked schools for value:
For return on investment, no school beat Walden University this year in the United States. Set in Minneapolis, MN, Walden University is a private for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,067. Walden University Protective Security Safety Services students take on a median of $48,133 in debt. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,810 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. See the full Walden University profile
A rank of #2 makes Liberty University one of the best values in the United States. Based in Lynchburg, VA, Liberty University is a private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,173. Graduates carry a median of $29,323 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $44,813. Set against $29,323 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted. More on Liberty University
You'll get strong value at North Dakota State University Main Campus, which ranked #3 this year. Set in Fargo, ND, North Dakota State University Main Campus is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $10,910, with out-of-state students paying around $15,564. Students borrow a median of $23,315 to complete their Protective Security Safety Services program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $62,203 ten years after entry. Set against $23,315 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 95%. Get the full North Dakota State University Main Campus report
Out of the 2040 schools in the United States in this year's value ranking, National American University Rapid City landed the #4 spot. Set in Rapid City, SD, National American University Rapid City is a private for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,065. Students borrow a median of $43,158 to complete their Protective Security Safety Services program here. Median earnings reach $37,325 ten years out. Set against $43,158 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. See the full National American University Rapid City profile
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Nebraska At Omaha earned it the #5 place in the United States. Set in Omaha, NE, University Of Nebraska At Omaha is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $8,718, compared with $23,206 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,507 to complete their Protective Security Safety Services program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $53,909 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $22,507 median debt. The acceptance rate is 87%. See the full University Of Nebraska At Omaha profile
Sam Houston State University placed #6 among the best-value Protective Security Safety Services schools in the United States. Sam Houston State University is a public school based in Huntsville, TX. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,228, while out-of-state students pay about $19,068. Typical Protective Security Safety Services student debt is $23,218. Graduates go on to earn a median of $54,211 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%. Read more about Sam Houston State University
University Of North Dakota landed the #7 spot for value in the United States this year. Set in Grand Forks, ND, University Of North Dakota is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,951, compared with $15,570 for out-of-state students. University Of North Dakota Protective Security Safety Services students take on a median of $19,875 in debt. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $63,552. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted. Read more about University Of North Dakota
Capella University landed the #8 spot for value in the United States this year. This private for-profit school is set in Minneapolis, MN. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,400. The median Protective Security Safety Services program debt is $36,500. Capella University alumni report median earnings of $42,189 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Read the full report on Capella University
Oklahoma State University Main Campus came in at #10 in this year's value ranking. Based in Stillwater, OK, Oklahoma State University Main Campus is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,110, compared with $25,630 for out-of-state students. Oklahoma State University Main Campus Protective Security Safety Services students take on a median of $26,500 in debt. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $57,413. Set against $26,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 75%. More on Oklahoma State University Main Campus
Texas State University San Marcos offered strong value this year, earning the #11 position. Texas State University San Marcos is a public school based in San Marcos, TX. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,450, while out-of-state students pay about $22,930. Typical Protective Security Safety Services student debt is $19,500. Median earnings reach $56,906 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 89%. Read more about Texas State University San Marcos
Nova Southeastern University placed #12 among the best-value Protective Security Safety Services schools in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Fort Lauderdale, FL. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $38,700. Typical Protective Security Safety Services student debt is $25,021. Nova Southeastern University alumni report median earnings of $59,209 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted. See the full Nova Southeastern University profile
University Of Arkansas At Little Rock placed #13 among the best-value Protective Security Safety Services schools in the United States. Located in Little Rock, AR, University Of Arkansas At Little Rock is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,911, with out-of-state students paying around $22,721. Typical Protective Security Safety Services student debt is $30,026. Median earnings reach $45,265 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $30,026 median debt. Roughly 59% of applicants are accepted. See the full University Of Arkansas At Little Rock profile
Northeastern University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best-value Protective Security Safety Services schools. Set in Boston, MA, Northeastern University is a private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $66,162. Students borrow a median of $22,809 to complete their Protective Security Safety Services program here. Median earnings reach $92,538 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 5%. Read the full report on Northeastern University
Prairie View A And M University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best-value Protective Security Safety Services schools. Set in Prairie View, TX, Prairie View A And M University is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,299, while out-of-state students pay about $26,874. The median Protective Security Safety Services program debt is $26,750. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $45,411. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Prairie View A And M University has an acceptance rate of 79%. Get the full Prairie View A And M University report
University Of Nevada Las Vegas ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best-value Protective Security Safety Services schools. This public school is set in Las Vegas, NV. Students from in state pay about $9,748 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $27,411. Graduates carry a median of $20,484 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $55,037 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Nevada Las Vegas admits about 96% of applicants. Get the full University Of Nevada Las Vegas report
University Of New Haven landed the #17 spot for value in the United States this year. Set in West Haven, CT, University Of New Haven is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $47,332. University Of New Haven Protective Security Safety Services students take on a median of $26,950 in debt. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $60,126. Set against $26,950 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of New Haven admits about 60% of applicants. Read the full report on University Of New Haven
Temple University landed the #18 spot for value in the United States this year. Located in Philadelphia, PA, Temple University is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $23,005, while out-of-state students pay about $38,805. Graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $63,727. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Temple University has an acceptance rate of 80%. Read the full report on Temple University
Texas Southern University ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best-value Protective Security Safety Services schools. Texas Southern University is a public school based in Houston, TX. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,637, with out-of-state students paying around $21,473. Graduates carry a median of $36,250 in student loans. Median earnings reach $38,924 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 97% of those who apply are admitted. See the full Texas Southern University profile
Florida State University placed #20 among the best-value Protective Security Safety Services schools in the United States. Based in Tallahassee, FL, Florida State University is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,517, compared with $21,683 for out-of-state students. Florida State University Protective Security Safety Services students take on a median of $21,098 in debt. Graduates go on to earn a median of $61,675 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted. Get the full Florida State University report
University Of Louisville landed the #21 spot for value in the United States this year. Based in Louisville, KY, University Of Louisville is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $13,136, with out-of-state students paying around $29,482. Typical Protective Security Safety Services student debt is $18,258. University Of Louisville alumni report median earnings of $53,899 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Louisville has an acceptance rate of 79%. See the full University Of Louisville profile
University Of Cincinnati Main Campus placed #21 among the best-value Protective Security Safety Services schools in the United States. Based in Cincinnati, OH, University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $13,363, with out-of-state students paying around $28,697. The median Protective Security Safety Services program debt is $21,253. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $54,810. Set against $21,253 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 85% of those who apply are admitted. Read the full report on University Of Cincinnati Main Campus
Florida International University landed the #21 spot for value in the United States this year. Florida International University is a public school based in Miami, FL. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,565, compared with $18,964 for out-of-state students. Florida International University Protective Security Safety Services students take on a median of $18,623 in debt. Median earnings reach $60,249 ten years out. Set against $18,623 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Florida International University has an acceptance rate of 55%. More on Florida International University
Georgia State University ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best-value Protective Security Safety Services schools. This public school is set in Atlanta, GA. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,664, with out-of-state students paying around $24,840. The median Protective Security Safety Services program debt is $26,812. Median earnings reach $47,384 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $26,812 median debt. The acceptance rate is 55%. Read more about Georgia State University
Indiana University Bloomington came in at #25 in this year's value ranking. Set in Bloomington, IN, Indiana University Bloomington is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $12,144, with out-of-state students paying around $41,891. Indiana University Bloomington Protective Security Safety Services students take on a median of $19,464 in debt. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $63,742. That is a strong return on a $19,464 median debt. Indiana University Bloomington has an acceptance rate of 78%. Get the full Indiana University Bloomington report
Michigan State University landed the #26 spot for value in the United States this year. Set in East Lansing, MI, Michigan State University is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $18,079, compared with $44,850 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete their Protective Security Safety Services program here. Median earnings reach $67,253 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 85% of those who apply are admitted. More on Michigan State University
Rest of the Top 50 Best-Value Protective Security Safety Services Doctoral Degree Schools in the United States
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s value ranking:
Rutgers University Newark offered strong value this year, earning the #27 position. Located in Newark, NJ, Rutgers University Newark is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $17,250, with out-of-state students paying around $36,762. Typical Protective Security Safety Services student debt is $22,431. Median earnings reach $74,479 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $22,431 median debt. Rutgers University Newark has an acceptance rate of 71%. More on Rutgers University Newark
George Mason University landed the #28 spot for value in the United States this year. Located in Fairfax, VA, George Mason University is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,220, compared with $38,688 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $21,487 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $76,343. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%. Get the full George Mason University report
University Of Central Florida ranked #29 on our 2026 list of the best-value Protective Security Safety Services schools. Based in Orlando, FL, University Of Central Florida is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,368, compared with $22,467 for out-of-state students. Typical Protective Security Safety Services student debt is $21,731. University Of Central Florida alumni report median earnings of $58,308 a decade after entry. Set against $21,731 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Central Florida admits about 40% of applicants. Read more about University Of Central Florida
American University ranked #30 on our 2026 list of the best-value Protective Security Safety Services schools. Based in Washington, DC, American University is a private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $58,771. The median Protective Security Safety Services program debt is $23,250. American University alumni report median earnings of $77,370 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $23,250 median debt. American University has an acceptance rate of 62%. Read more about American University
New Jersey City University placed #30 among the best-value Protective Security Safety Services schools in the United States. Based in Jersey City, NJ, New Jersey City University is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,460. New Jersey City University Protective Security Safety Services students take on a median of $21,584 in debt. Graduates go on to earn a median of $52,745 ten years after entry. Set against $21,584 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. New Jersey City University admits about 98% of applicants. Read more about New Jersey City University
Suny At Albany came in at #32 in this year's value ranking. Suny At Albany is a public school based in Albany, NY. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,601, while out-of-state students pay about $30,991. Graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $67,979 ten years after entry. Set against $23,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 69% of those who apply are admitted. See the full Suny At Albany profile
Ashland University offered strong value this year, earning the #32 position. See the full Ashland University profile
California Lutheran University landed the #33 spot for value in the United States this year. Read the full report on California Lutheran University
Caribbean University Bayamon ranked #34 on our 2026 list of the best-value Protective Security Safety Services schools. Get the full Caribbean University Bayamon report
Columbia Basin College landed the #35 spot for value in the United States this year. Read the full report on Columbia Basin College
Cumberland University offered strong value this year, earning the #36 position. Read more about Cumberland University
Las Positas College came in at #37 in this year's value ranking. Read more about Las Positas College
Lincoln University Of Pennsylvania landed the #38 spot for value in the United States this year. Read more about Lincoln University Of Pennsylvania
Nicholls State University placed #39 among the best-value Protective Security Safety Services schools in the United States. Read more about Nicholls State University
North Central Michigan College ranked #40 on our 2026 list of the best-value Protective Security Safety Services schools. Read the full report on North Central Michigan College
Pitt Community College came in at #41 in this year's value ranking. Get the full Pitt Community College report
Talladega College landed the #42 spot for value in the United States this year. More on Talladega College
Charlotte Technical College ranked #43 on our 2026 list of the best-value Protective Security Safety Services schools. Get the full Charlotte Technical College report
De Anza College
De Anza College offered strong value this year, earning the #44 position. Read the full report on De Anza College
Eastern Arizona College offered strong value this year, earning the #45 position. Get the full Eastern Arizona College report
Florida Keys Community College placed #46 among the best-value Protective Security Safety Services schools in the United States. Read the full report on Florida Keys Community College
High Point University placed #47 among the best-value Protective Security Safety Services schools in the United States. See the full High Point University profile
Massasoit Community College offered strong value this year, earning the #48 position. More on Massasoit Community College
Santa Fe College
Santa Fe College came in at #49 in this year's value ranking. Get the full Santa Fe College report
State College Of Florida Manatee Sarasota landed the #50 spot for value in the United States this year. Get the full State College Of Florida Manatee Sarasota report
Related Protective Security Safety Services Value Rankings
See value rankings for other degree levels:
- Best Value Protective Security Safety Services Schools (All Levels)
- Best Value Protective Security Safety Services Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Protective Security Safety Services Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Protective Security Safety Services Associate’s Degree Schools
- Best Value Protective Security Safety Services Bachelor’s Degree Schools
- Best Value Protective Security Safety Services Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Protective Security Safety Services Master’s Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
These rankings are produced by Course Advisor (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on 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 2040 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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