Best Value Homeland Security Colleges

St Petersburg College offers the most striking value proposition in protective services education, with students actually receiving money to attend through generous financial aid packages that create a negative net cost of $52. This rare scenario contrasts sharply with private institutions like Neumann University, where students pay $28,714 annually but earn the field's highest median salary of $115,339 after graduation. The 20 programs span a remarkable cost spectrum from negative tuition to $43,939, reflecting the varied pathways into careers protecting American communities. Florida dominates the affordable options, with three of the four lowest-cost programs operating in the state where federal agencies like USCIS and numerous law enforcement jurisdictions create steady demand for trained professionals. While Massachusetts Maritime Academy graduates achieve an impressive 79.1% completion rate, earning potential varies significantly across institutions, from $30,771 to over $115,000 annually, demonstrating how program selection directly impacts career trajectories in this essential field.

Programs

$-52 – $43,939

Net Price Range

$47,986

Avg. Program Earnings

48.2%

Avg. Graduation Rate

35 Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting and Related Protective Services, Other Programs

Program rankings
#	School	Net Price	Program Earnings	In-State Tuition	Graduation Rate	Acceptance Rate
1	St Petersburg College St. Petersburg, Florida	$-52	$42,682	$2,682	37.5%
2	Florida State College at Jacksonville Jacksonville, Florida	$2,760	$35,060	$2,878	32.4%
3	Florida SouthWestern State College Fort Myers, Florida	$8,249	$50,856	$3,401	38.5%
4	Florida Atlantic University Boca Raton, Florida	$8,001	$36,668	$4,879	64.3%	81.3%
5	Neumann University Aston, Pennsylvania	$28,714	$115,339	$37,300	46.1%	85.5%
6	Savannah State University Savannah, Georgia	$8,683	$30,771	$5,498	25.2%
7	Western Illinois University Macomb, Illinois	$11,592	$39,369	$14,952	44.8%	75.0%
8	Franklin University Columbus, Ohio	$22,605	$71,015	$9,577	30.3%
9	Eastern Michigan University Ypsilanti, Michigan	$17,084	$46,478	$15,510	45.5%	83.2%
10	Mercy University Dobbs Ferry, New York	$15,770	$38,289	$22,106	48.1%	85.9%
11	Virginia Commonwealth University Richmond, Virginia	$19,452	$41,565	$16,458	65.4%	91.0%
12	Massachusetts Maritime Academy Buzzards Bay, Massachusetts	$26,661	$50,439	$10,816	79.1%	89.4%
13	Tiffin University Tiffin, Ohio	$23,758	$38,871	$32,400	43.0%	82.8%
14	Point Park University Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania	$24,791	$35,600	$38,160	59.6%	82.1%
15	Tulane University of Louisiana New Orleans, Louisiana	$43,939	$46,790	$65,538	88.9%	11.5%
16	Anderson University Anderson, South Carolina	$28,183		$33,580	71.0%	45.4%
17	Saint Edward's University Austin, Texas	$23,636		$51,384	64.2%	85.1%
18	Chestnut Hill College Philadelphia, Pennsylvania	$29,944		$39,410	56.1%	98.2%
19	Oklahoma State University-Oklahoma City Oklahoma City, Oklahoma	$5,877		$3,779	13.2%
20	University of West Alabama Livingston, Alabama	$13,832		$10,990	38.0%	68.9%
21	Methodist University Fayetteville, North Carolina	$24,978		$39,664	40.1%	75.7%
22	Roberts Wesleyan University Rochester, New York	$23,461		$37,504	63.9%	99.5%
23	Marian University Fond Du Lac, Wisconsin	$23,341		$33,000	41.2%	71.6%
24	Southern New Hampshire University Manchester, New Hampshire	$33,742		$16,450	44.9%	96.4%
25	Madonna University Livonia, Michigan	$17,815		$27,360	58.1%	64.8%
26	Baker College Owosso, Michigan	$15,171		$12,810	31.3%	36.7%
27	Union College Barbourville, Kentucky	$23,906		$30,946	36.0%	53.4%
28	Midway University Midway, Kentucky	$23,863		$26,080	46.4%	93.8%
29	Eastern Kentucky University Richmond, Kentucky	$9,962		$10,130	49.7%	64.3%
30	Lewis University Romeoville, Illinois	$18,370		$37,882	62.6%	74.1%
31	Idaho State University Pocatello, Idaho	$17,324		$8,356	38.3%
32	Miami Dade College Miami, Florida	$5,929		$2,838	44.7%
33	State College of Florida-Manatee-Sarasota Bradenton, Florida	$21,433		$3,074	34.9%
34	University of New Haven West Haven, Connecticut	$34,089		$45,730	59.2%	91.2%
35	Mitchell College New London, Connecticut	$30,841		$39,050	44.1%	76.8%

Frequently Asked Questions

What explains the negative net cost at St Petersburg College?

St Petersburg College creates a negative $52 net cost through generous federal and state financial aid that exceeds tuition and fees. Students receive more money than they pay, making this Florida institution essentially free while still earning a median salary of $42,682 after graduation. The college's public funding model and Florida's investment in workforce development contribute to this unusual financial advantage. This scenario makes protective services education accessible to students regardless of economic background.

How do earnings compare between public and private protective services programs?

Private institutions show the widest earnings range, with Neumann University graduates earning $115,339 compared to Point Park University's $35,600 median salary. Public college graduates typically earn between $30,771 and $50,856, with Florida SouthWestern State College leading at the higher end. The earnings gap often reflects program specialization, with some private schools focusing on federal law enforcement preparation. Geographic location and local job markets also influence post-graduation salaries significantly.

Is Massachusetts Maritime Academy worth its higher public school cost?

Massachusetts Maritime Academy justifies its $26,661 net cost through strong outcomes, including a 79.1% graduation rate and $50,439 median earnings. The academy's specialized maritime law enforcement focus appeals to students targeting Coast Guard and port security careers. Its 89.4% acceptance rate maintains selectivity while the graduation rate exceeds most programs by 30 percentage points. The investment pays off through strong alumni networks in federal maritime agencies.

Does graduation rate correlate with program cost in protective services education?

Graduation rates vary independently of cost, with the most expensive program at Tulane achieving 88.9% completion while costing $43,939 annually. Conversely, affordable St Petersburg College maintains only a 37.5% graduation rate despite negative costs. Massachusetts Maritime Academy proves that mid-range public institutions can achieve excellent retention through specialized programming. The data suggests that institutional support and program focus matter more than price for student success.

Where do Florida's protective services programs offer the best value?

Florida SouthWestern State College provides optimal value with an $8,249 net cost and $50,856 median earnings, creating the best return on investment among Florida options. St Petersburg College offers the lowest cost but produces lower earnings at $42,682. Florida State College at Jacksonville balances affordability at $2,760 net cost with reasonable earnings of $35,060. The state's multiple affordable options reflect strong public investment in training protective services professionals for tourism and population security needs.

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Net price reflects the average cost after grants and scholarships for first-time, full-time students. See our methodology for details.