Find Schools

Study Area & Zipcode

Most Popular Law Enforcement & Firefighting Schools in the Southeast Region

Find Schools Near

2023 Most Popular Law Enforcement & Firefighting Schools in the Southeast Region

567 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 assist you in seeing some of the education options that are available to you, Course Advisor has created its Most Popular Law Enforcement & Firefighting Schools in the Southeast Region ranking. Our analysis looked at 567 schools in the Southeast Region to see which programs were the most popular for students. To create this ranking we looked at how many students graduated from the Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting program at each school on the list.

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

Our analysis found American Public University System to be the most popular school for homeland security, law enforcement and firefighting students who want to pursue a degree in the Southeast Region . Located in the fringe town of Charles Town, American Military University is a private for-profit college with a very large student population.

While working on their degree, homeland security, law enforcement and firefighting majors at American Military University accumulate an average of around $16,312 in student debt.

Read full report on Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting at American Public University System

#2

Columbia Southern University

Orange Beach, AL

A rank of #2 on this year’s list means Columbia Southern University is a great place for homeland security, law enforcement and firefighting students. Located in the fringe town of Orange Beach, Columbia Southern University is a private for-profit school with a fairly large student population.

The average amount in student loans that homeland security, law enforcement and firefighting majors at Columbia Southern University take out is $22,904.

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

#3

Liberty University

Lynchburg, VA

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Liberty University. The school came in at #3 on this year’s Most Popular Law Enforcement & Firefighting Schools in the Southeast Region list. Located in the city of Lynchburg, Liberty University is a private not-for-profit school with a fairly large student population.

While working on their degree, homeland security, law enforcement and firefighting majors at Liberty University accumulate an average of around $30,217 in student debt. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $318.

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

Out of the 567 schools in the Southeast Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Florida International University landed the # 4 spot on the list. Located in the large suburb of Miami, FIU is a public college with a fairly large student population.

Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting majors at FIU take out an average of $19,250 in student loans while working on their egree.

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

Out of the 567 schools in the Southeast Region that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Central Florida landed the # 5 spot on the list. Located in the large suburb of Orlando, UCF is a public school with a fairly large student population.

After completing their degree, homeland security, law enforcement and firefighting graduates from UCF carry an average student debt load of $21,481.

Read More…

Florida State College at Jacksonville ranked #6 on this year’s Most Popular Law Enforcement & Firefighting Schools in the Southeast Region list. FSCJ is a fairly large public school located in the city of Jacksonville.

The average amount in student loans that homeland security, law enforcement and firefighting majors at FSCJ take out is $19,360.

Read full report on Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting at Florida State College at Jacksonville

#7

Florida State University

Tallahassee, FL

Florida State University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular schools for homeland security, law enforcement and firefighting students. It came in at #7 on the list. Located in the medium-sized city of Tallahassee, Florida State is a public school with a fairly large student population.

Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting majors at Florida State take out an average of $23,933 in student loans while working on their egree. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $199, based on a 10-year repayment plan.

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

#8

Saint Leo University

Saint Leo, FL

Saint Leo University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular schools for homeland security, law enforcement and firefighting students. It came in at #8 on the list. St. Leo University is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Saint Leo.

While working on their degree, homeland security, law enforcement and firefighting majors at St. Leo University accumulate an average of around $35,000 in student debt. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $270, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.

Read More…

#9

Valencia College

Orlando, FL

Valencia College came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Law Enforcement & Firefighting Schools in the Southeast Region ranking. Located in the large city of Orlando, Valencia College is a public college with a fairly large student population.

After completing their degree, homeland security, law enforcement and firefighting graduates from Valencia College carry an average student debt load of $13,449.

Read More…

Eastern Kentucky University came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Law Enforcement & Firefighting Schools in the Southeast Region ranking. Eastern is a fairly large public school located in the town of Richmond.

After completing their degree, homeland security, law enforcement and firefighting graduates from Eastern carry an average student debt load of $28,332. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $166.

Full Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting at Eastern Kentucky University Report

#11

George Mason University

Fairfax, VA

With a ranking of #11, George Mason University did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for homeland security, law enforcement and firefighting students. Located in the large suburb of Fairfax, GMU is a public school with a very large student population.

While working on their degree, homeland security, law enforcement and firefighting majors at GMU accumulate an average of around $19,938 in student debt. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $411.

Read More…

#12

Miami Dade College

Miami, FL

Miami Dade College came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Law Enforcement & Firefighting Schools in the Southeast Region ranking. Located in the city of Miami, MDC is a public school with a fairly large student population.

Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting majors at MDC take out an average of $12,277 in student loans while working on their egree.

Full Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting at Miami Dade College Report

With a ranking of #13, Hillsborough Community College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for homeland security, law enforcement and firefighting students. Located in the city of Tampa, HCC is a public school with a large student population.

While working on their degree, homeland security, law enforcement and firefighting majors at HCC accumulate an average of around $13,302 in student debt.

Read More…

#14

Florida Atlantic University

Boca Raton, FL

Florida Atlantic University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular schools for homeland security, law enforcement and firefighting students. It came in at #14 on the list. FAU is a fairly large public school located in the small city of Boca Raton.

Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting majors at FAU take out an average of $19,688 in student loans while working on their egree. When it comes time to repay the loan, graduates who are on a 10-year repayment plan pay an average monthly payment of $179.

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

#15

St Petersburg College

Clearwater, FL

With a ranking of #15, St Petersburg College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for homeland security, law enforcement and firefighting students. SPC is a very large public school located in the city of Clearwater.

Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting majors at SPC take out an average of $19,015 in student loans while working on their egree.

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

Seminole State College of Florida came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Law Enforcement & Firefighting Schools in the Southeast Region ranking. Seminole State is a large public school located in the city of Sanford.

The average amount in student loans that homeland security, law enforcement and firefighting majors at Seminole State take out is $8,507.

Read full report on Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting at Seminole State College of Florida

Bluegrass Community and Technical College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular schools for homeland security, law enforcement and firefighting students. It came in at #17 on the list. Bluegrass Community and Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the large city of Lexington.

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

Southern Arkansas University Tech landed the #18 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular homeland security, law enforcement and firefighting programs. Located in the rural area of Camden, SAU Tech is a public college with a fairly small student population.

Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting majors at SAU Tech take out an average of $9,902 in student loans while working on their egree.

Full Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting at Southern Arkansas University Tech Report

Virginia Commonwealth University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular schools for homeland security, law enforcement and firefighting students. It came in at #19 on the list. Located in the midsize city of Richmond, VCU is a public school with a fairly large student population.

After completing their degree, homeland security, law enforcement and firefighting graduates from VCU carry an average student debt load of $25,625. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $278, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.

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

With a ranking of #20, University of North Carolina at Charlotte did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for homeland security, law enforcement and firefighting students. UNC Charlotte is a fairly large public school located in the large city of Charlotte.

On average, homeland security, law enforcement and firefighting graduates from UNC Charlotte take out $24,500 in student loans while working on their degree. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $245.

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

#21

Broward College

Fort Lauderdale, FL

Broward College ranked #21 on this year’s Most Popular Law Enforcement & Firefighting Schools in the Southeast Region list. BC is a fairly large public school located in the city of Fort Lauderdale.

After completing their degree, homeland security, law enforcement and firefighting graduates from BC carry an average student debt load of $8,353.

Read More…

#22

Indian River State College

Fort Pierce, FL

With a ranking of #22, Indian River State College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for homeland security, law enforcement and firefighting students. Located in the large suburb of Fort Pierce, Indian River State College is a public college with a fairly large student population.

While working on their degree, homeland security, law enforcement and firefighting majors at Indian River State College accumulate an average of around $10,083 in student debt.

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

With a ranking of #23, Walters State Community College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for homeland security, law enforcement and firefighting students. WSCC is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Morristown.

The average amount in student loans that homeland security, law enforcement and firefighting majors at WSCC take out is $13,650.

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

#24

Tallahassee Community College

Tallahassee, FL

Tallahassee Community College landed the #24 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular homeland security, law enforcement and firefighting programs. Located in the medium-sized city of Tallahassee, Tallahassee Community College is a public college with a large student population.

On average, homeland security, law enforcement and firefighting graduates from Tallahassee Community College take out $28,536 in student loans while working on their degree.

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

#24

Fort Myers Technical College

Fort Myers, FL

Fort Myers Technical College came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Law Enforcement & Firefighting Schools in the Southeast Region ranking. Fort Myers Technical College is a small public school located in the city of Fort Myers.

Read More…

#27

Palm Beach State College

Lake Worth, FL
#28

East Carolina University

Greenville, NC
#29

University of Louisville

Louisville, KY
#30

Kennesaw State University

Kennesaw, GA
#31

Bethel University

McKenzie, TN
#32

Troy University

Troy, AL
#34

Keiser University - Ft Lauderdale

Fort Lauderdale, FL
#36

University of North Florida

Jacksonville, FL
#38

Polk State College

Winter Haven, FL
#39

Columbus State University

Columbus, GA
#40

Florida Gateway College

Lake City, FL
#41

Daytona State College

Daytona Beach, FL
#42

Lake Technical College

Eustis, FL
#45

Gaston College

Dallas, NC
#47

Central Georgia Technical College

Warner Robins, GA
#48

Grambling State University

Grambling, LA
#48

Georgia State University

Atlanta, GA
#50

University of Mississippi

University, MS

Additional Award Winners

This list shows the rest of the schools awarded a Most Popular Law Enforcement & Firefighting Schools in the Southeast Region badge. Showing in this list means the college was ranked in the top 15% of the 567 different Southeast homeland security, law enforcement and firefighting schools we analyzed.

Rank College Location
51 University of North Carolina at Pembroke Pembroke, NC
52 Arkansas Tech University Russellville, AR
53 Western Carolina University Cullowhee, NC
54 Black River Technical College Pocahontas, AR
55 Faulkner University Montgomery, AL
56 Gulf Coast State College Panama City, FL
57 Fayetteville State University Fayetteville, NC
58 South Florida State College Avon Park, FL
59 University of South Florida - Main Campus Tampa, FL
60 Florida Gulf Coast University Fort Myers, FL
61 University of North Georgia Dahlonega, GA
62 Withlacoochee Technical College Inverness, FL
63 Suncoast Technical College Sarasota, FL
63 Atlanta Technical College Atlanta, GA
65 Rowan-Cabarrus Community College Salisbury, NC
66 North Carolina Central University Durham, NC
66 Georgia Military College Milledgeville, GA
66 Appalachian State University Boone, NC
69 Jacksonville State University Jacksonville, AL
69 Chipola College Marianna, FL
71 Northwest Florida State College Niceville, FL
71 State College of Florida - Manatee - Sarasota Bradenton, FL
71 Middle Tennessee State University Murfreesboro, TN
74 University of Arkansas at Little Rock Little Rock, AR
75 George Stone Technical College Pensacola, FL
76 Guilford Technical Community College Jamestown, NC
77 Volunteer State Community College Gallatin, TN
78 Chattahoochee Technical College Marietta, GA
79 University of the Cumberlands Williamsburg, KY
79 Augusta Technical College Augusta, GA
79 Radford University Radford, VA
82 University of Memphis Memphis, TN
83 Eastern Florida State College Cocoa, FL
83 North Carolina A & T State University Greensboro, NC
85 University of Arkansas Fayetteville, AR

Honorable Mentions

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

Rank College Location
86 Savannah Technical College Savannah, GA
87 Somerset Community College Somerset, KY
87 Bossier Parish Community College Bossier City, LA
87 University of Alabama at Birmingham Birmingham, AL
87 Central Piedmont Community College Charlotte, NC
91 Marion Technical College Ocala, FL
91 Southern University and A & M College Baton Rouge, LA
93 The University of Tennessee - Chattanooga Chattanooga, TN
93 Southern Regional Technical College Thomasville, GA
95 Jefferson Community and Technical College Louisville, KY
95 Davidson County Community College Thomasville, NC
95 Georgia Piedmont Technical College Clarkston, GA
95 Manatee Technical College Bradenton, FL
99 East Tennessee State University Johnson City, TN
100 Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University Tallahassee, FL
100 Cape Fear Community College Wilmington, NC
100 Forsyth Technical Community College Winston-Salem, NC
103 Columbus Technical College Columbus, GA
104 Austin Peay State University Clarksville, TN
105 Wilkes Community College Wilkesboro, NC
105 Nova Southeastern University Fort Lauderdale, FL
105 University of Georgia Athens, GA
108 Stanly Community College Albemarle, NC
108 Southern Crescent Technical College Griffin, GA
108 Pasco-Hernando State College New Port Richey, FL
111 North Carolina Wesleyan College Rocky Mount, NC
112 Coastal Carolina Community College Jacksonville, NC
112 The University of West Florida Pensacola, FL
112 ECPI University Virginia Beach, VA

Best Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting Colleges by State

Explore the best homeland security, law enforcement and firefighting colleges 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.

  • 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.

Featured Schools

Find Schools Near You

Our free school finder matches students with accredited colleges across the U.S.