A degree in Homeland Security doesn’t always mean you’ll graduate with the guarantee of wielding a gun for your everyday job. However, there are many other exciting ways to serve your country after earning your degree through one of the best online Homeland Security programs in the nation. The word “security” often conjures images of security guards and the armed forces, but the lesser known images of the quiet bravery, cunning, and ingenious organization that happens behind office desks is just as important when it comes to protecting citizens within, and outside U.S. borders.
Those who get an online degree in Homeland Security may find themselves working in public safety roles, law enforcement, private security, border protection, emergency management, and cyber security just to name a few areas. Today, it’s even easier to get your degree due to the technology that can bring a university education to the comfort of your front room.
Whether you’re looking for an associate, bachelor’s, or graduate degree in Homeland Security, below we’ve listed 25 schools that can get you started in the right direction. Each of the schools was included only if they met our standards of student success.
Here are the top 25 Online Homeland Security Programs
1. Franklin University
Franklin University was founded in 1902 with the purpose of helping adult students who wanted to further their education, but at the time had other responsibilities. Today it’s the second-largest private university in Ohio. It offers multiple start dates and the choice of six-, 12-, and 15-week courses to help you pursue your education without interrupting other priorities. As a part of its Emergency Management & Homeland Security degree, you’ll study topics such as emergency management, homeland security, risk management/threat assessment, and safety and security planning among others.
- Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 11-to-1
- Tuition: $11,641
2. Utica University
In 1946, Utica College was founded in the heart of New York. With its student-to-faculty ratio of 11-to-1, Utica offers the intimacy and high degree of personal attention associated with smaller private colleges. Nearly 85 percent of its professors have earned a Ph.D. or the highest degree in their field, and 94 percent of its students receive financial aid each year. Its B.S. in Criminal Justice offers a Homeland Security specialization where you’ll learn the Emergency Management response cycle, the importance of FEMA, the Incident Command System, risk assessment, disaster recovery, etc.
- Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 11-to-1
- Tuition: $19,996
3. University of Alaska – Fairbanks
In 1906 the federal Agricultural Experiment Station was built on the hill where UAF now stands, and in 1915 a piece of the land was used to build a university which opened its doors to students in 1922. It was on campus that the Constitutional Convention was held, and where the Alaska Constitution was drafted to admit Alaska into the United States as its 49th state in 1959. The 2,250-acre campus is a Land, Sea, and Space Grant institution, and is the leading doctoral-granting institution in Alaska. UAF’s Homeland Security and Emergency Management program offers a Bachelor’s in Emergency Management and several electives offered include Peace, War & Security; Geological Hazards; Conflict, Mediation & Communication; and Services Marketing.
- Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 11-to-1
- Tuition: $22,469
4. Keiser University
Keiser University was founded in 1977 and is one of Florida’s largest, independent career universities. In 2014 the U.S. News & World Report ranked KU as No. 13 overall and 1st in Florida in the category of Regional Colleges South, specifically for their service to U.S. veterans. It offers nearly $44 million in scholarship funds to its students, and has a unique approach to class scheduling, having its students take a single class every 4 weeks so they don’t have to juggle multiple class assignment and tests. Some of its Homeland Security major courses include Bio Terrorism: Hazardous Material & Weapons of Mass Destruction, Organizing the War on Terrorism, Issues in Disaster Response, Catastrophic Event Response Planning, Critical Infrastructure Protection, and Introduction to Cyber-Terrorism.
- Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 12-to-1
- Tuition: $17,664
5. Saint Joseph’s University
St. Joseph’s was founded on a September morning in 1851. The Jesuit college had been proposed as early as 1741, but nearly a century passed before its foundation due to suppression and dissension within the Philadelphia Catholic community. In 1970, SJU welcomed women as full-time students, doing away with its tradition as an all-male institution and was recognized as a university on July 24, 1978. In 2016 SJU was ranked No. 11 among regional universities in the north by U.S. News & World Report. Its Master’s Degree in Criminal Justice with a concentration in Homeland Security includes courses like Risk Assessment, Sociology of Disasters, and Terrorism: Threats and Strategy.
- Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 13-to-1
- Tuition: $43,020
6. Herzing University
Founded in 1965, Herzing University is a private, nonprofit institution that has more than 30 online degree or certificate opportunities as well as a large campus network where students can take classes on one of its 11 campuses. It also offers students the option of combining in-class and online learning. Herzing University has also been recognized as a Military Friendly University and has been ranked as one of the “Best Online Bachelor’s Degree Programs” for the fifth consecutive year by US News & World Report. If you decide to follow a degree in Homeland Security here, Herzing will teach you how to reveal potential security threats, analyze intelligence and recognize potential problems, respond to and manage critical incidents (including fires), assess and address an organization’s safety and terrorism risks, and investigate incidents and collect evidence.
- Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 14:1
- Tuition: $13,090
7. Thomas Edison State University
Founded in 1972, TESU is one of New Jersey’s 11 senior public institutions of higher education and one of the first schools in the country designed specifically for adults. It’s named after the famous inventor who acquired knowledge outside of the traditional classroom. They offer associate, bachelor’s, and master’s degrees in over 100 fields of study for adults that can’t put their lives on hold to sit in a classroom. TESU gives students the option to pay a one-time annual tuition fee (register up to 36 credits in a year) or a pay-per-credit plan. Some electives in its B.S. in Homeland and Security Management program include Organizational Behavior, Gangs, Games People Play, Game Theory in Life, Business and Beyond, Victimology and Criminal Behavior, Challenges in U.S. and Global Public Health, Conflict in International Relations, and War and American Society.
- Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 15-to-1
- Tuition: $6,266
8. Saint Leo University
Saint Leo University was founded in 1889 and is located just outside of Tampa, Florida. It has nearly 15,000 students located throughout the world and offers the same highly regarded degrees to its on-campus students as its online students. Saint Leo is also ranked among the country’s most military-friendly institution by G.I. Jobs and Military Advanced Education magazines. Its B.A. in Homeland Security explores the modern Middle East, legal issues in counter-terrorism, local responses to terrorism, and exploitable weaknesses in terrorist organizations.
- Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 15-to-1
- Tuition: $21,130
9. Southern New Hampshire University
SNHU was founded in 1932 and has over 80,000 online students. They have earned the GetEducated.com Best Buy and Best of Business – Best Online Degree awards and is consistently ranked as a top Military Friendly School by G.I. Jobs. SNHU offers more than 200 career-focused online college degree programs and has online tutoring, an online library, and 24/7 tech support to help their busy students. SNHU’s B.S. in Criminal Justice with a concentration in Homeland Security will have you learn the nature and history of terrorism and how terrorist groups succeed and fail, how to combat terror, how to respond to domestic and/or international terrorist campaigns, a wide range of security efforts, and the analytical and policy skills required by the industry.
- Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 15-to-1
- Tuition: $31,136
10. Pennsylvania State University
Penn State’s World Campus is exclusively for students seeking an online education, and boasts nearly 18,000 students, making it the second largest campus in The Pennsylvania State University system. It’s implemented online education since 1998 and it’s grown to have more than 125 online degree and certificate programs. Its Master’s in Homeland Security offers four concentrations: Agricultural Biosecurity and Food Defense, Geospatial Intelligence, Information Security and Forensics, and Public Health Preparedness.
- Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 16-to-1
- Tuition: $6,587
11. Anderson University
Founded in 1911, Anderson University was commissioned as a four-year college for women. It sits at the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains on more than 270 acres and offers its students the choice of more than 40 majors, 38 concentrations, and 32 minors. AU has been recognized as a top-tier Regional University in the South by the US News & World Report, and one of America’s 100 Best College Buys as determined by Institutional Research and Evaluation, Inc. Its Homeland Security coursework includes studies of existing and emerging threats; the structure, roles and responsibilities of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and corresponding agencies; the roles and responsibilities of local, state, tribal, territorial, private sector, and other Federal entities that are stakeholders and/or collaborative parties within the homeland security community; and the laws, authorities, actions, technologies, and processes associated with the nation’s homeland security enterprise.
- Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 16-to-1
- Tuition: $26,510
12. Campbell University
Campbell University was founded in 1887 by a then 25-year-old Baptist minister, J.A. Campbell. One of its founding principles was to meet the needs of North Carolina and educate men and women for Christian service around the world. While its main campus sits at Buies Creek, it also has extended campuses at Research Triangle Park, Camp Lejeune, Fort Bragg/Pope Air Force Base, and Raleigh. CU’s degree of Homeland Security focuses on Intelligence and Warning, Border and Transportation Security, Domestic Counterterrorism, Protecting Critical Infrastructure and Key Areas, Defending Against Catastrophic Threats, and Emergency Preparedness and Response. It is made up of 7 schools and is dedicated to continuing the university’s tradition of excellence in faith, learning, and service.
- Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 16-to-1
- Tuition: $30,050
13. Walden University
Walden University has been serving the higher education needs of adult learners for more than 45 years. It was founded in 1970 by Bernie and Rita Turner in response to a paper published by Bud Hodgkinson about the concept of a student-centered university. Since then, Walden has been influencing its students to apply what they’ve learned to effect positive social change. For Walden University, social change is not just something you talk about, it’s something you become. Its B.S. in Criminal Justice (Homeland Security concentration) will have you learn about all types of weapons of mass destruction and biological and chemical threats and disasters, discover how to respond to such incidents, and study the skills required for a homeland security position with: the border patrol, local and regional first responders, hazardous material response teams, and emergency relief agencies such as the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
- Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 17-to-1
- Tuition: $12,075
14. Mercy College
Mercy College students have a personal mission: to get the most out of life by getting the most out of their education. Mercy was founded by the Sisters of Mercy in 1950 and is located on the Hudson River in New York. On average, Mercy costs are 50 percent less than that of other private colleges in the area. The White House named it a “Bright Spot in Hispanic Education” and has been recognized by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs as a “Yellow Ribbon School” and has consistently been recognized as one of the top schools for veterans and their families. Mercy’s B.S. in Corporate and Homeland Security includes classes such as Security Crisis Management, Organizational Behavior, Terrorism, Advanced Risk Management, and Person/Physical Property Security.
- Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 17-to-1
- Tuition: $18,392
15. Liberty University
Liberty is a non-profit university and has been pioneering distance education since 1985. It offers more than 300 degrees, with 88 percent of its alumni finding employment within 6 months of graduation. Here you can transfer up to 75 percent of a degree you’ve started elsewhere, and be part of the 87 percent of students that receive financial aid. Liberty’s B.S. degree in Criminal Justice – Homeland Security will prepare you to work in the Counterterrorism, Cybersecurity, Domestic and International Terrorism, Citizenship and Immigration Services, and Transportation Security fields.
- Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 17-to-1
- Tuition: $23,030
16. Concordia University – Portland
Concordia was founded in 1905 and is a private, non-profit Christian liberal arts university open to students of any faith. It started as a four-year Academy to meet the regional needs for pastors and school teachers for the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. It’s committed to the dual purpose of committing students for life and for a living. Nearly 98 percent of students receive some kind of financial aid, with $13,000 being the average freshman award. Its bachelor’s degree in Homeland Security & Emergency Preparedness includes the following courses: Psychology of Terrorism, Cyber Security, Legal/Moral/Civil Rights, Emergency Preparedness and Management, Interest Integration, and Building Resilient Communities, among others.
- Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 17-to-1
- Tuition: $27,420
17. University of Akron
The University of Akron was founded as Buchtel College in 1870, but by 1907 its emphasis on local rather than denominational interests led it to become a private, non-denominational school. The world’s first courses in rubber chemistry were offered here beginning in 1909, which allowed it to contribute to the development of synthetic rubber to aid the Allied war efforts. Now, it offers more than 300 undergraduate and graduate programs to its almost 23,000 students. UA’s B.S. in Emergency Management and Homeland Security is considered a “step-up” degree and builds upon strong technical programs in the following disciplines: fire protection, criminal justice, community services, environmental health and safety, and emergency medical services.
- Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 19-to-1
- Tuition: $10,509
18. Capella University
Capella University is an accredited online university that was founded in 1993. It has two online learning opportunities: a set-your-schedule learning experience where students pay per quarter, or a more traditional approach with pre-set deadlines and forums. With over $30 million available in scholarships, Capella University is an affordable option that will fit in your life and your budget. It’s Master’s in Emergency Management will teach you to lead and manage organizations and individuals in emergency preparedness activities, evaluate current research to apply practical approaches and solutions to emergency management issues, and analyze hazards, emergencies and disasters to create solutions for emerging threats.
- Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 20-to-1
- Tuition: $9,648 (based on 2 12-credit semesters)
19. National University
National University was founded in 1971 and has since been striving to make lifelong learning opportunities accessible. It has more than 70 degree programs online and provides more master’s degrees in education to minority students than any other college or university in California. Furthermore, it annually ranks in the Top 10 nationally in granting master’s degrees to women. Its B.S. in Homeland Security and Emergency Management includes the following courses: Leading Diverse Groups & Teams, Interviewing and Interrogation, Information Security, Border-Transportation Security, Crisis Management, and International and Domestic Terrorism, among others.
- Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 20-to-1
- Tuition: $12,744
20. American Military University
The American Military University is the No. 1 provider of higher education to the U.S. military and boasts more than 88,000 students, the majority of which are military personnel or veterans. It offers more than 200 degrees and certificates online with each class starting monthly. Students have the option of taking 8-week or 16-week courses. The more than 2,000 faculty members at AMU are located around the world as they work as leaders in their fields. AMU is also a five-time recipient of the prestigious Online Learning Consortium Effective Practice Award. Its B.A. of Homeland Security offers courses in terrorism psychology, behavior, activities and roles; U.S. security policies, operations and central concepts; border and coastal security; law enforcement’s functions, legalities, theories, and ethics; and information technology security, cyber laws, and digital security, among others.
- Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 21-to-1
- Tuition: $6,880
21. Grantham University
Grantham University was founded in 1951 by WWII veteran Donald Grantham who wanted to help fellow veterans improve their lives through higher education. As a 100 percent online university, Grantham believes that higher education should enhance your life, not get in the way of it. It offers 50 different degrees across four different colleges and has been recognized by Military Advanced Education and Transition (MAE&T) and G.I. Jobs as a Top Military Friendly School for nine consecutive years. It has a B.A. in Criminal Justice with a concentration in Homeland Security where you’ll learn about border security and intelligence, terrorism prevention and analysis, and emergency and disaster planning.
- Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 22-to-1
- Tuition: $6,360
22. Angelo State University
ASU was founded as San Angelo Junior College in 1928 after a failed bid in 1923 to be the home of the Texas Technological College. It survived the Great Depression and World War II years, and even dropped “Junior” from its name and became San Angelo College, or SAC until it became Angelo State University in 1965. It has been rated as one of the “Best Colleges” by the Princeton Review every year since 2010 and offers more than 100 majors and concentrations through its six colleges. Here, you can get a bachelor’s degree in Border and Homeland Security or an M.S. in Homeland Security. Several courses include Transnational Crime, International Drug Trafficking, Introduction to Cybersecurity, International Human Trafficking, History of Terrorism, Weapons of Mass Destruction, and Digital Footprints.
- Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 23-to-1
- Tuition: $8,038
23. Bellevue University
Bellevue University was founded in 1966 and has more than 50,000 graduates worldwide. It is routinely ranked among the nation’s top military-friendly schools and serves students at its 46-acre main campus in Bellevue, Nebraska, and everywhere online. Bellevue University offers more than 80 degrees in high growth career fields as well as certificates for career advancement. BU’s Security Management degree focuses on principles of homeland security, personnel management, organizational interaction, infrastructure security and threat assessment, and communication skills. Several courses include Infrastructure Security and National Defense, The American Criminal and Legal Systems, Theory and Practice of Security, Principles, and Practices of Effective Emergency Planning, and Risk Analysis and Organizational Security. Bellevue believes that students, no matter where they start, have what it takes to make a difference in their work, families, communities, and the world.
- Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 24-to-1
- Tuition: $7,050
24. Kaplan University
In 1937, Kaplan University started as the American Institute of Commerce (AIC) in Davenport, Iowa, and opened its doors to allow adults to have access to higher education. In 2001, AIC (which had been renamed Quest College) was named Kaplan College after Stanley H. Kaplan, a man who started a small business offering tutoring services in 1938. His business was so successful, and grew so quickly, that it took part in the FTC recognizing that test preparation (such as offered by Kaplan) helps students raise their test scores, which lead to legislation to help make the university admissions process more transparent and accessible. In 2004 the school was renamed Kaplan University after receiving permission to offer its first master’s degrees, one of which is an M.S. in Homeland Security & Emergency Management. With this degree you’ll learn about complex global challenges and innovative solutions; the application of theory, current knowledge, and legal doctrine; the evaluation of social and ethical implications of decisions made to protect people and property; and more.
- Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 27-to-1
- Tuition: $8,904 (based on two 12-credit semesters)
25. Colorado Technical University
CTU was founded in a building that used to house an old Colorado roller rink in 1965. Online education was introduced to the school in 1995, and in 2009 CTU’s Virtual Campus was named “Best of the Best” in the Computerworld Honors program in the Academia and Education category. In 2013, Military Times ranked CTU as the No. 1 online school for military veterans, and for the third year in a row, multiple CTU online degree programs are included on the Best Online Programs list by the U.S. News & World Report. Its B.S. degree in Criminal Justice – Homeland Security and Emergency Management includes the following course as part of its curriculum: Understanding Critical Infrastructures, Criminal Procedure, Private Sector Role in Homeland Security, Counterintelligence, The Psychology of Fear Management and Terrorism, and Local Emergency Management and Civil Preparedness.
- Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 30-to-1
- Tuition: $11,656
The Ranking Process
We know that finding the best school for your unique situation and interests can be a difficult task. That’s why we’ve evaluated thousands of school based on the factors most important to you. For more information about our evaluation and ranking system, as well as other lists that were ranked by the factors most important to you, see our methodology page.
If you are associated with a school on this list and would like to make edits or add additional information, or would like to add your school’s program to our list, please feel free to contact us with additional information.