College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2025 Best Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting Schools in the Plains States Region

71 Colleges in the Plains States Region
7,009 Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting Degrees Awarded
$43,210 Avg Early-Career Salary
Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting is above average in terms of popularity with it being the #12 most popular degree program in the country. So, you have a fair amount of options to choose from when looking for a school.

For its 2025 ranking, College Factual looked at 71 schools in the Plains States Region to determine which ones were the best for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting students pursuing a degree. When you put them all together, these colleges and universities awarded 7,009 degrees in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting annually.

What's on this page: * Degree-Level Rankings

Choosing a Great Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting School

Best Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting Schools in the Plains States Region The homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program you select can have a big impact on your future. That's why we developed our collection of Best Schools for Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting rankings. We derive our Best Overall Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting School rankings by rolling up our degree-level rankings after weighting them by the number of degrees awarded at each school.

In order to find the schools that are the best fit for you, you may want to filter to one of the degree levels below.

Pick Your Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting Degree Level

Associate Degrees in Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting
Bachelor's Degrees in Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting
Master's Degrees in Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting
Doctor's Degrees in Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting

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 Best Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting Schools in the Plains States Region list to help you make the college decision. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.

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. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.

Read more about College Factual's methodology.

Best Schools for Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting in the Plains States Region

If you aren't interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degrees they offer, see the list below. Only those schools that rank in the top 20% of all the schools we analyze get awarded with a place on this list.

14 Top Plains States Region Schools in Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting

1
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
99 Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting Degrees Awarded
$49,019 Median Starting Salary

Every student who is interested in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting has to take a look at Minnesota State University - Mankato. Minnesota State Mankato is a fairly large public university located in the small city of Mankato. A Best Colleges rank of #412 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means Minnesota State Mankato is a great university overall.

There were about 99 homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting students who graduated with this degree at Minnesota State Mankato in the most recent year we have data available. Degree recipients from the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree program at Minnesota State University - Mankato earn $5,809 more than the average college grad with the same degree when they enter the workforce.

More information about a degree in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting from Minnesota State University - Mankato

2
Associate Degree Highest Degree Type
148 Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting Degrees Awarded
13.5% Growth in Graduates

Every student who is interested in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting needs to take a look at Alexandria Technical & Community College. ATCC is a small public college located in the remote town of Alexandria. This college ranks 41st out of 52 colleges for overall quality in the state of Minnesota.

There were about 148 homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting students who graduated with this degree at ATCC in the most recent data year. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting degree recipients from Alexandria Technical & Community College get an earnings boost of around $5,755 above the typical earnings of homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting majors.

More information about a degree in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting from Alexandria Technical & Community College

3
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
95 Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting Degrees Awarded
$52,125 Median Starting Salary

Every student pursuing a degree in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting needs to take a look at Metropolitan State University. Metro State is a medium-sized public university located in the large city of Saint Paul. This university ranks 44th out of 52 schools for overall quality in the state of Minnesota.

There were roughly 95 homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting students who graduated with this degree at Metro State in the most recent data year. Those homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting students who get their degree from Metropolitan State University receive $8,915 more than the typical homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduate.

More information about a degree in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting from Metropolitan State University

4
Century College crest
Century College
White Bear Lake, MN
Associate Degree Highest Degree Type
118 Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting Degrees Awarded
$54,174 Median Starting Salary

Century College is one of the finest schools in the United States for getting a degree in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. Century College is a medium-sized public college located in the large suburb of White Bear Lake. A Best Colleges rank of #486 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means Century College is a great college overall.

There were approximately 118 homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting students who graduated with this degree at Century College in the most recent data year. Those homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting students who get their degree from Century College earn $10,964 more than the typical homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduate.

More information about a degree in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting from Century College

5
Waldorf crest
Waldorf University
Forest City, IA
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
194 Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting Degrees Awarded
$74,641 Median Starting Salary

Waldorf is a small private for-profit university located in the remote area of Forest City. This university ranks 14th out of 37 colleges for overall quality in the state of Iowa.

There were about 194 homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting students who graduated with this degree at Waldorf in the most recent data year. Those homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting students who get their degree from Waldorf University make $31,431 more than the standard homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting student.

More information about a degree in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting from Waldorf University

6
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
132 Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting Degrees Awarded
$41,624 Median Starting Salary

Iowa State is a very large public university located in the city of Ames. A Best Colleges rank of #88 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means Iowa State is a great university overall.

There were about 132 homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting students who graduated with this degree at Iowa State in the most recent year we have data available. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients typically make around $41,624 in the first five years of their career.

More information about a degree in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting from Iowa State University

7
Associate Degree Highest Degree Type
17th Most Popular In MN

Located in the rural area of Fergus Falls, M State is a public college with a medium-sized student population. This college ranks 34th out of 52 colleges for overall quality in the state of Minnesota.

There were about 20 homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting students who graduated with this degree at M State in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting from Minnesota State Community and Technical College

8
Simpson College crest
Simpson College
Indianola, IA
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
35 Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting Degrees Awarded
22.9% Growth in Graduates

Located in the fringe town of Indianola, Simpson College is a private not-for-profit college with a small student population. This college ranks 12th out of 37 colleges for overall quality in the state of Iowa.

There were approximately 35 homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting students who graduated with this degree at Simpson College in the most recent year we have data available. Students who graduate with their degree from the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program report average early career wages of $42,862.

More information about a degree in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting from Simpson College

9
Associate Degree Highest Degree Type
77 Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting Degrees Awarded
$46,344 Median Starting Salary

Located in the city of St. Cloud, Rasmussen University - Minnesota is a private for-profit university with a medium-sized student population. A Best Colleges rank of #129 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means Rasmussen University - Minnesota is a great university overall.

There were roughly 77 homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting students who graduated with this degree at Rasmussen University - Minnesota in the most recent data year. Those homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting students who get their degree from Rasmussen University - Minnesota earn $3,134 more than the standard homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting student.

More information about a degree in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting from Rasmussen University - Minnesota

10
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
57 Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting Degrees Awarded
$49,412 Median Starting Salary

Located in the small city of Saint Cloud, St. Cloud State University is a public university with a large student population. This university ranks 33rd out of 52 schools for overall quality in the state of Minnesota.

There were approximately 57 homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting students who graduated with this degree at St. Cloud State University in the most recent data year. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting degree recipients from Saint Cloud State University receive an earnings boost of about $6,202 over the typical income of homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates.

More information about a degree in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting from Saint Cloud State University

11
Associate Degree Highest Degree Type
45 Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting Degrees Awarded
$51,144 Median Starting Salary

Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College is a small public college located in the town of Cloquet. This college ranks 1464th out of 2,152 colleges for overall quality nationwide.

There were approximately 45 homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting students who graduated with this degree at Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College in the most recent year we have data available. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting degree recipients from Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College earn a boost of approximately $7,934 over the typical earnings of homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting majors.

More information about a degree in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting from Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College

12
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
311 Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting Degrees Awarded
$41,115 Median Starting Salary

UNOMAHA is a fairly large public university located in the city of Omaha. This university ranks 7th out of 19 schools for overall quality in the state of Nebraska.

There were about 311 homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting students who graduated with this degree at UNOMAHA in the most recent year we have data available. Students who graduate with their degree from the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program state that they receive average early career income of $41,115.

More information about a degree in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting from University of Nebraska at Omaha

13
SLU crest
Saint Louis University
Saint Louis, MO
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
55 Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting Degrees Awarded
12.7% Growth in Graduates

Located in the city of Saint Louis, SLU is a private not-for-profit university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #243 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means SLU is a great university overall.

There were roughly 55 homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting students who graduated with this degree at SLU in the most recent data year. Those homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting students who get their degree from Saint Louis University receive $2,499 more than the typical homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting student.

More information about a degree in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting from Saint Louis University

14
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
68 Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting Degrees Awarded
$39,490 Median Starting Salary

Located in the medium-sized city of Fargo, North Dakota State University is a public university with a large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #382 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means North Dakota State University is a great university overall.

There were about 68 homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting students who graduated with this degree at North Dakota State University in the most recent year we have data available. Students who graduate with their degree from the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program report average early career earnings of $39,490.

More information about a degree in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting from North Dakota State University - Main Campus

Honorable Mentions

These are some additional schools worth mentioning that are also great but just didn't quite make the cut to earn our top Best Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting Schools in the Plains States Region award.

Rank College Location
15 University of Central Missouri Warrensburg, MO
16 Des Moines Area Community College Ankeny, IA
17 National American University - Rapid City Rapid City, SD
18 Western Iowa Tech Community College Sioux City, IA
19 North Hennepin Community College Brooklyn Park, MN
20 Missouri Southern State University Joplin, MO
21 Winona State University Winona, MN
22 Columbia College Columbia, MO
23 Normandale Community College Bloomington, MN

Best Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting Colleges by State

Explore the best homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting colleges for a specific state in the Plains States Region .

State Colleges Degrees Awarded
Kansas 38 715
Minnesota 38 1,636
Iowa 38 883
South Dakota 38 154
Missouri 38 1,410
Nebraska 36 728
North Dakota 35 271

View All Rankings >

Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting Majors to Study

Major Annual Graduates
Criminal Justice & Corrections 5,408
Homeland Security 828
Fire Protection 479
Security Science and Technology 219
Other Homeland Security 75

View All Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting Related Majors >

Notes and References

More about our data sources and methodologies.

Popular Reports

College Rankings
Best by Location
Degree Guides by Major
Graduate Programs

Compare Your School Options