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2023 Most Veteran Friendly in Virginia for Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting

20 Ranked Colleges
3,921 Degrees Awarded
$29,900 Avg Cost*
Most Veteran Friendly in Virginia for Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting

When it comes to choosing a college, veterans have a lot of options - but not all of them are good. College Factual has developed its “Most Veteran Friendly in Virginia for Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.

In 2020-2021, 142,610 people earned their degree in homeland security, law enforcement and firefighting, making the major the 12th most popular in the United States. In 2019-2020, homeland security, law enforcement and firefighting graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $37,355 and had an average of $25,230 in loans still to pay off.

Across Virginia, there were 3,921 homeland security, law enforcement and firefighting graduates with average earnings and debt of $36,999 and $29,611 respectively.

This year’s “Most Veteran Friendly in Virginia for Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting” ranking analyzed 20 colleges that offered a degree in homeland security, law enforcement and firefighting. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great homeland security, law enforcement and firefighting 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, law enforcement and firefighting program at the school. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

More Ways to Rank Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting Schools

Rankings by Degree Other Award Levels
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More Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting Rankings Other Ranking Categories

The homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we’ve developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of “Most Veteran Friendly in Virginia for Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting”.

You can create your own custom comparison that focuses on the factors most important to you using our tool, College Combat. When you have some time, check it out - you may want to bookmark the link so you don’t forget it.

Most Veteran Friendly in Virginia for Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting

The following schools top our list of the Best “Most Veteran Friendly in Virginia for Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting”.

Top 20 Best Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting Colleges for Veterans in Virginia

1
GMU crest
George Mason University
Fairfax, Virginia

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend George Mason University. The school came in at #1 for the Most Veteran Friendly in Virginia for Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting. This large school is located in Fairfax, Virginia, and it awarded 605 ’s homeland security, law enforcement and firefighting degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at GMU, the school also landed the #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS] spot in our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” ranking.Of the 38,541 students enrolled at GMU, 2,334 were GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 1,583 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $10,710. To help with additional expenses, 42 students received scholarships 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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%.

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2

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Virginia Commonwealth University. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Most Veteran Friendly in Virginia for Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting list. VCU is located in Richmond, Virginia and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 385 ’s homeland security, law enforcement and firefighting degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at VCU, the school also landed the #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS] spot in our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” ranking.According to our most recent data, Virginia Commonwealth University supports 29,070 students, and 1 of those are GI Bill® students, of which 2 are Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $13,085. 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.

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 full report on veteran student life at VCU]](/colleges/virginia-commonwealth-university/student-life/veterans/)

3
Liberty University crest
Liberty University
Lynchburg, Virginia

Out of the 20 schools in the Most Veteran Friendly in Virginia for Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting that were part of this year’s ranking, Liberty University landed the #3 spot on the list. Liberty University is a large private not-for-profit school situated in Lynchburg, Virginia. It awarded 1,273 ’s homeland security, law enforcement and firefighting degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Liberty University, the school also landed the #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS] spot in our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” ranking.Of the 93,349 students enrolled at Liberty University, 13,282 were GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 8,897 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $4,888. During this same period, 386 students received scholarships through the Yellow Ribbon Program. Liberty University does offer credit for military training for eligible students.

[Read full report on veteran student life at Liberty University]](/colleges/liberty-university/student-life/veterans/)

4
ECPI University crest
ECPI University
Virginia Beach, Virginia

Out of the 20 schools in the Most Veteran Friendly in Virginia for Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting that were part of this year’s ranking, ECPI University landed the #4 spot on the list. Located in Virginia Beach, Virginia, this fairly large private for-profit school awarded 103 degrees to qualified ’s homeland security, law enforcement and firefighting students in 2020-2021.

ECPI University also took the #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS] spot in our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” ranking.Our most recent data shows that 12 of the 14,353 students enrolled at ECPI University were GI Bill® students, of which 9 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $8,344. On top of their other funding sources, 0 students received scholarships through the Yellow Ribbon Program. Students may be able to receive credit for their military training, depending on their background.

Read More…

5
Marymount crest
Marymount University
Arlington, Virginia

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Marymount University. The school came in at #5 for the Most Veteran Friendly in Virginia for Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting. Marymount is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Arlington, Virginia. It awarded 22 ’s homeland security, law enforcement and firefighting degrees in 2020-2021.

Marymount not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS] on our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” list.According to our most recent data, Marymount University supports 3,294 students, and 175 of those are GI Bill® students, of which 172 are Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $15,047. During this same period, 35 students qualified for 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 Marymount University Veteran Student Life Report

6

Northern Virginia Community College ranked #6 on this year’s Most Veteran Friendly in Virginia for Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting list. Northern Virginia Community College is a large school located in Annandale, Virginia that handed out 225 ’s homeland security, law enforcement and firefighting degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our virginia vets studying homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting list, Northern Virginia Community College has also earned the #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS] rank in our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” ranking.Of the 52,873 students enrolled at Northern Virginia Community College, 3 were GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 2 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $3,267. To help with additional expenses, 0 students qualified for the Yellow Ribbon Program. Northern Virginia Community College does offer credit for military training for eligible students.

[Read full report on veteran student life at Northern Virginia Community College]](/colleges/northern-virginia-community-college/student-life/veterans/)

7
Radford crest
Radford University
Radford, Virginia

Radford University did quite well in the 2023 Most Veteran Friendly in Virginia for Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting ranking, coming in at #7. Radford University is located in Radford, Virginia and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 114 ’s homeland security, law enforcement and firefighting degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Radford, the school also landed the #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS] spot in our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” ranking.Among the 10,695 students enrolled at Radford University, 460 are GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 225 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $8,142. To help with additional expenses, 0 students received scholarships through the Yellow Ribbon Program. Radford University does offer credit for military training for eligible students.

Full Radford University Veteran Student Life Report

8
AU crest
Averett University
Danville, Virginia

Averett University ranked #8 on this year’s Most Veteran Friendly in Virginia for Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting list. Averett University is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Danville, Virginia. It awarded 28 ’s homeland security, law enforcement and firefighting degrees in 2020-2021.

AU 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 887 students enrolled at AU, 2 are GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 4 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $3,806. To help with additional expenses, 0 students received scholarships through the Yellow Ribbon Program. AU offers credit for military training for eligible students.

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9

Tidewater Community College ranked #9 on this year’s Most Veteran Friendly in Virginia for Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting list. Norfolk, Virginia is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s homeland security, law enforcement and firefighting degrees to 197 students in 2020-2021.

Tidewater Community College not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS] on our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” list.Among the 16,769 students enrolled at Tidewater Community College, 49 are GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 45 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $5,391. To help with additional expenses, 0 students qualified for the Yellow Ribbon Program. Tidewater Community College does offer credit for military training for eligible students.

Full Tidewater Community College Veteran Student Life Report

10
Regent crest
Regent University
Virginia Beach, Virginia

With a ranking of #10, Regent University did quite well on the 2023 Most Veteran Friendly in Virginia for Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting list. Regent University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Virginia Beach, Virginia. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 78 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Regent also made our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” list, coming in at #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS].Of the 10,483 students enrolled at Regent University, 1,414 were GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 1,139 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $9,203. In addition to receiving other benefits, 42 students received funds through the Yellow Ribbon Program. Regent University does offer credit for military training for eligible students.

Read More…

11
VWU crest
Virginia Wesleyan University
Virginia Beach, Virginia

With a ranking of #11, Virginia Wesleyan University did quite well on the 2023 Most Veteran Friendly in Virginia for Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting list. This small school is located in Virginia Beach, Virginia, and it awarded 35 ’s homeland security, law enforcement and firefighting degrees in 2020-2021.

VWU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS] on our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” list.Of the 1,347 students enrolled at Virginia Wesleyan University, 166 were GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 116 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $14,128. During this same period, 22 students received scholarships through the Yellow Ribbon Program. Students may be able to receive credit for their military training, depending on their background.

Read More…

12

Strayer University - Virginia ranked #12 on this year’s Most Veteran Friendly in Virginia for Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting list. Strayer University - Virginia is a private for-profit institution located in Arlington, Virginia. The school has a small population, and it awarded 76 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Strayer University - Virginia, the school also landed the #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS] spot in our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” ranking.According to our most recent data, Strayer University - Virginia supports 4,797 students, and 63 of those are GI Bill® students, of which 59 are Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $8,224. On top of their other funding sources, 1 students received funds through the Yellow Ribbon Program. Students may be able to receive credit for their military training, depending on their background.

Full Strayer University - Virginia Veteran Student Life Report

13
South University, Virginia Beach crest
South University, Virginia Beach
Virginia Beach, Virginia

With a ranking of #13, South University, Virginia Beach did quite well on the 2023 Most Veteran Friendly in Virginia for Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting list. Virginia Beach, Virginia is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private for-profit school handed out ’s homeland security, law enforcement and firefighting degrees to 11 students in 2020-2021.

South University, Virginia Beach also made our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” list, coming in at #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS].According to our most recent data, South University, Virginia Beach supports 403 students, and 158 of those are GI Bill® students, of which 143 are Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $10,966. In addition to receiving other benefits, 10 students qualified for the Yellow Ribbon Program. South University, Virginia Beach offers credit for military training for eligible students.

Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.

[Read full report on veteran student life at South University, Virginia Beach]](/colleges/south-universityvirginia-beach/student-life/veterans/)

14
Virginia State crest
Virginia State University
Petersburg, Virginia

Virginia State University ranked #14 on this year’s Most Veteran Friendly in Virginia for Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting list. Virginia State University is a small public school situated in Petersburg, Virginia. It awarded 59 ’s homeland security, law enforcement and firefighting degrees in 2020-2021.

Virginia State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS] on our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” list.Our most recent data shows that 368 of the 4,020 students enrolled at Virginia State University were GI Bill® students, of which 112 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $4,578. During this same period, 0 students received scholarships through the Yellow Ribbon Program. Eligible students may be able to receive credit for their military training.

Full Virginia State Veteran Student Life Report

15
Roanoke crest
Roanoke College
Salem, Virginia

Roanoke College landed the #15 spot on the 2023 Most Veteran Friendly in Virginia for Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting ranking. Roanoke College is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Salem, Virginia. It awarded 17 ’s homeland security, law enforcement and firefighting degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our virginia vets studying homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting list, Roanoke has also earned the #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS] rank in our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” ranking.Of the 1,920 students enrolled at Roanoke, 68 were GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 50 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $19,471. In addition to receiving other benefits, 26 students received funds through the Yellow Ribbon Program. Roanoke does offer credit for military training for eligible students.

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…

16

Bryant & Stratton College - Virginia Beach landed the #16 spot on the 2023 Most Veteran Friendly in Virginia for Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting ranking. This small school is located in Virginia Beach, Virginia, and it awarded 12 ’s homeland security, law enforcement and firefighting degrees in 2020-2021.

Bryant & Stratton College - Virginia Beach also took the #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS] spot in our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” ranking.Among the 1,515 students enrolled at Bryant & Stratton College - Virginia Beach, 185 are GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 130 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $12,959. To help with additional expenses, 15 students received scholarships through the Yellow Ribbon Program. Eligible students may be able to receive credit for their military training.

With a freshman retention rate of 100%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

[Read full report on veteran student life at Bryant & Stratton College - Virginia Beach]](/colleges/bryant-and-stratton-college-virginia-beach/student-life/veterans/)

17
Shenandoah crest
Shenandoah University
Winchester, Virginia

Shenandoah University landed the #17 spot on the 2023 Most Veteran Friendly in Virginia for Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting ranking. Shenandoah University is located in Winchester, Virginia and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 21 ’s homeland security, law enforcement and firefighting degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Shenandoah, the school also landed the #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS] spot in our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” ranking.Among the 4,174 students enrolled at Shenandoah University, 222 are GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 133 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $16,576. On top of their other funding sources, 36 students qualified for the Yellow Ribbon Program. Students may be able to receive credit for their military training, depending on their background.

The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only [DEFAULT_RATE_STRING]%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

[Read full report on veteran student life at Shenandoah]](/colleges/shenandoah-university/student-life/veterans/)

18

John Tyler Community College ranked #18 on this year’s Most Veteran Friendly in Virginia for Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting list. John Tyler Community College is located in Chester, Virginia and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 61 ’s homeland security, law enforcement and firefighting degrees to qualified students.

John Tyler Community College 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, John Tyler Community College supports 9,440 students, and 519 of those are GI Bill® students, of which 348 are Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $2,512. On top of their other funding sources, 0 students qualified for the Yellow Ribbon Program. John Tyler Community College does offer credit for military training for eligible students.

Full John Tyler Community College Veteran Student Life Report

19
Reynolds Community College crest
Reynolds Community College
Richmond, Virginia

Reynolds Community College did quite well in the 2023 Most Veteran Friendly in Virginia for Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting ranking, coming in at #19. Richmond, Virginia is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s homeland security, law enforcement and firefighting degrees to 20 students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our virginia vets studying homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting list, Reynolds Community College has also earned the #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS] rank in our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” ranking.Of the 7,759 students enrolled at Reynolds Community College, 247 were GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 135 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $1,885. During this same period, 0 students received scholarships through the Yellow Ribbon Program. Students may be able to receive credit for their military training, depending on their background.

Read More…

20
Bluefield College crest
Bluefield College
Bluefield, Virginia

Bluefield College came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Most Veteran Friendly in Virginia for Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting ranking. Bluefield College is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Bluefield, Virginia. It awarded 30 ’s homeland security, law enforcement and firefighting degrees in 2020-2021.

Bluefield College not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS] on our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” list.According to our most recent data, Bluefield College supports 965 students, and 38 of those are GI Bill® students, of which 25 are Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $9,677. In addition to receiving other benefits, 7 students qualified for the Yellow Ribbon Program. Eligible students may be able to receive credit for their military training.

Read More…

Notes and References

References

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