2023 Best Homeland Security Colleges for Veterans in the Southwest Region
13
Ranked Colleges
782
Degrees Awarded
$21,800
Avg Cost*
Veterans have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. College Factual has developed its “Most Veteran Friendly in the Southwest Region for Homeland Security” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.
Homeland Security is the 117th most popular major in the country with 7,140 degrees awarded in 2020-2021. In 2019-2020, homeland security graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $52,213 and had an average of $28,747 in loans still to pay off.
Across the Southwest region, there were 782 homeland security graduates with average earnings and debt of $53,185 and $27,358 respectively.
This year’s “Most Veteran Friendly in the Southwest Region for Homeland Security” ranking looked at 13 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in homeland security. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great homeland security programs and a strong support system for veterans and active service members.
To come up with these rankings, we looked at factors such as veteran satisfaction, veteran affordability, and overall quality of the homeland security program at the school. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.
One Size Does Not Fit All
When choosing the right school for you, it’s important to arm yourself with all the facts you can. To that end, we’ve created a number of major-specific rankings, including this “Most Veteran Friendly in the Southwest Region for Homeland Security” list to help you make the college decision.
To further help you make the college decision, we’ve developed a unique tool called College Combat that allows you to compare schools based on the factors that matter the most to you. Test it out by comparing your favorite schools against others you are considering, or bookmark the tool so you can experiment with it later.
Most Veteran Friendly in the Southwest Region for Homeland Security
The colleges and universities below are the best for southwest region vets studying homeland security.
Top 13 Best Homeland Security Colleges for Veterans in the Southwest Region
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Grand Canyon University. The school came in at #1 for the Most Veteran Friendly in the Southwest Region for Homeland Security. Grand Canyon University is located in Phoenix, Arizona and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 175 ’s homeland security degrees to qualified students.
Grand Canyon University also made our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” list, coming in at #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS].Our most recent data shows that 7,172 of the 103,427 students enrolled at Grand Canyon University were GI Bill® students, of which 4,951 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $5,970. During this same period, 5 students received scholarships through the Yellow Ribbon Program. Eligible students may be able to receive credit for their military training.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is [DEFAULT_RATE_STRING]%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Full Grand Canyon University Veteran Student Life Report
Out of the 13 schools in the Most Veteran Friendly in the Southwest Region for Homeland Security that were part of this year’s ranking, University of North Texas landed the #2 spot on the list. Denton, Texas is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s homeland security degrees to 58 students in 2020-2021.
UNT also made our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” list, coming in at #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS].Of the 40,953 students enrolled at University of North Texas, 2,038 were GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 1,138 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $9,999. During this same period, 0 students qualified for the Yellow Ribbon Program. University of North Texas does offer credit for military training for eligible students.
With a freshman retention rate of 85%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Full UNT Veteran Student Life Report
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Angelo State University. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Most Veteran Friendly in the Southwest Region for Homeland Security list. Angelo State University is a fairly large school located in San Angelo, Texas that handed out 57 ’s homeland security degrees in 2020-2021.
Angelo State also made our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” list, coming in at #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS].Our most recent data shows that 507 of the 10,775 students enrolled at Angelo State University were GI Bill® students, of which 225 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $4,911. On top of their other funding sources, 3 students qualified for the Yellow Ribbon Program. Eligible students may be able to receive credit for their military training.
Full Angelo State University Veteran Student Life Report
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend American InterContinental University - Online. The school came in at #4 for the Most Veteran Friendly in the Southwest Region for Homeland Security. This fairly large school is located in Schaumburg, Illinois, and it awarded 204 ’s homeland security degrees in 2020-2021.
AIU Online also made our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” list, coming in at #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS].Among the 15,415 students enrolled at AIU Online, 640 are GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 665 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $6,136. To help with additional expenses, 9 students qualified for the Yellow Ribbon Program. Students may be able to receive credit for their military training, depending on their background.
Read More…
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Rose State College. The school came in at #5 for the Most Veteran Friendly in the Southwest Region for Homeland Security. Midwest City, Oklahoma is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s homeland security degrees to 8 students in 2020-2021.
RSC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS] on our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” list.According to our most recent data, RSC supports 6,722 students, and 540 of those are GI Bill® students, of which 282 are Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $2,113. On top of their other funding sources, 0 students qualified for the Yellow Ribbon Program. RSC offers credit for military training for eligible students.
[Read full report on veteran student life at RSC]](/colleges/rose-state-college/student-life/veterans/)
West Texas A&M University came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Most Veteran Friendly in the Southwest Region for Homeland Security ranking. Canyon, Texas is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s homeland security degrees to 33 students in 2020-2021.
West Texas A&M University also took the #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS] spot in our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” ranking.According to our most recent data, West Texas A&M University supports 10,036 students, and 446 of those are GI Bill® students, of which 191 are Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $4,617. In addition to receiving other benefits, 0 students qualified for the Yellow Ribbon Program. Students may be able to receive credit for their military training, depending on their background.
Full West Texas A&M University Veteran Student Life Report
Northeastern State University did quite well in the 2023 Most Veteran Friendly in the Southwest Region for Homeland Security ranking, coming in at #7. This medium-sized school is located in Tahlequah, Oklahoma, and it awarded 18 ’s homeland security degrees in 2020-2021.
NSU also made our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” list, coming in at #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS].Among the 7,349 students enrolled at NSU, 304 are GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 118 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $3,801. During this same period, 1 students received funds through the Yellow Ribbon Program. Students may be able to receive credit for their military training, depending on their background.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of [DEFAULT_RATE_STRING]% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.
Full Northeastern State University Veteran Student Life Report
With a ranking of #8, Sam Houston State University did quite well on the 2023 Most Veteran Friendly in the Southwest Region for Homeland Security list. This large school is located in Huntsville, Texas, and it awarded 27 ’s homeland security degrees in 2020-2021.
SHSU also took the #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS] spot in our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” ranking.According to our most recent data, Sam Houston State University supports 21,912 students, and 1,092 of those are GI Bill® students, of which 496 are Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $6,097. In addition to receiving other benefits, 0 students qualified for the Yellow Ribbon Program. Eligible students may be able to receive credit for their military training.
Read More…
With a ranking of #9, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley did quite well on the 2023 Most Veteran Friendly in the Southwest Region for Homeland Security list. The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley is a public institution located in Edinburg, Texas. The school has a large population, and it awarded 15 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
UT Rio Grande Valley also took the #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS] spot in our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” ranking.According to our most recent data, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley supports 32,441 students, and 871 of those are GI Bill® students, of which 302 are Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $4,560. To help with additional expenses, 0 students received scholarships through the Yellow Ribbon Program. Students may be able to receive credit for their military training, depending on their background.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is [DEFAULT_RATE_STRING]%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read More…
Arizona Western College did quite well in the 2023 Most Veteran Friendly in the Southwest Region for Homeland Security ranking, coming in at #10. AWC is a medium-sized public school situated in Yuma, Arizona. It awarded 18 ’s homeland security degrees in 2020-2021.
AWC also took the #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS] spot in our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” ranking.According to our most recent data, AWC supports 6,487 students, and 254 of those are GI Bill® students, of which 166 are Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $1,156. To help with additional expenses, 0 students received funds through the Yellow Ribbon Program. Eligible students may be able to receive credit for their military training.
Full AWC Veteran Student Life Report
New Mexico State University - Dona Ana landed the #11 spot on the 2023 Most Veteran Friendly in the Southwest Region for Homeland Security ranking. Located in Las Cruces, New Mexico, this medium-sized public school handed out 14 degrees to qualified ’s homeland security students in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our southwest region vets studying homeland security list, NMSU Dona Ana has also earned the #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS] rank in our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” ranking.Among the 7,028 students enrolled at New Mexico State University - Dona Ana, 288 are GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 164 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $1,016. In addition to receiving other benefits, 0 students qualified for the Yellow Ribbon Program. Students may be able to receive credit for their military training, depending on their background.
Read More…
The University of Texas at El Paso ranked #12 on this year’s Most Veteran Friendly in the Southwest Region for Homeland Security list. The University of Texas at El Paso is located in El Paso, Texas and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 14 ’s homeland security degrees to qualified students.
In addition to being on our southwest region vets studying homeland security list, UTEP has also earned the #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS] rank in our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” ranking.According to our most recent data, The University of Texas at El Paso supports 24,879 students, and 1,873 of those are GI Bill® students, of which 942 are Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $5,990. In addition to receiving other benefits, 2 students received scholarships through the Yellow Ribbon Program. The University of Texas at El Paso does offer credit for military training for eligible students.
Read More…
With a ranking of #13, Oklahoma State University - Oklahoma City did quite well on the 2023 Most Veteran Friendly in the Southwest Region for Homeland Security list. Oklahoma City, Oklahoma is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s homeland security degrees to 15 students in 2020-2021.
OSU-OKC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS] on our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” list.Among the 4,949 students enrolled at Oklahoma State University - Oklahoma City, 54 are GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 77 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $1,563. On top of their other funding sources, 0 students qualified for the Yellow Ribbon Program. Eligible students may be able to receive credit for their military training.
[Read full report on veteran student life at OSU-OKC]](/colleges/oklahoma-state-university-oklahoma-city/student-life/veterans/)
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Notes and References
References
- 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 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).
- Veteran-specific data can be found at the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs.
- Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.
Read more about our data sources and methodologies
- *Avg Salary and Avg 4-Year Grad Rate are for the top schools only.
- **GI Bill® student total includes all chapters of the GI Bill® program (e.g., Post-9/11, Montgomery GI Bill, Reserve Education Assistance Program, and Veteran Readiness and Employment)
- Some schools otherwise deserving of recognition may have been removed from this ranking in the event that new data identified post-publication warranted it, or at the request of the school.
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