2027 Best Value Fire Science Schools
[Fire Science](/majors/protective-security-safety-services/fire-protection/fire-science/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 177 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value fire science schools.
What’s on this page:
Finding the Best Value Fire Science School for You
The right fire science school can pay off for years to come. To help, we created our Best Value Fire Science Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
Learn more about our methodology
Customize Your Rankings
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value Fire Science Schools list, to help you choose. 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 have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
Read more about College Factual’s methodology
2027 Best Value Fire Science Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the fire science degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Fire Science Schools
Our analysis ranked St Petersburg College the best value for a degree in fire science in the United States. Located in the city of St. Petersburg, St Petersburg College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,682 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,286. Students borrow a median of $9,557 to complete the fire science program here. Fire Science graduates of St Petersburg College earn a median of $55,829 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,557 median debt.
College Of The Mainland is a great value for students pursuing a degree in fire science, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Texas City, College Of The Mainland is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,310, compared with $4,140 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,928 to complete the fire science program here. Soon after graduation, fire science degree recipients from College Of The Mainland generally make around $40,788. Set against $10,928 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Oxnard College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in fire science, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Oxnard, Oxnard College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,426 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,615. Median earnings reach $41,393 ten years out.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Joliet Junior College earned it the #4 place for fire science. Joliet Junior College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Joliet. In-state tuition and fees average $4,530, while out-of-state students pay about $13,800. Students borrow a median of $11,995 to complete the fire science program here. Fire Science graduates of Joliet Junior College earn a median of $40,118 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,995 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in fire science will find it at Yuba College, which ranked #5. Set in the suburb of Marysville, Yuba College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,128, compared with $8,208 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for fire science graduates is $8,729. Early-career fire science graduates make about $89,816. That is a strong return on a $8,729 median debt.
Shasta College ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value fire science schools. Set in the suburb of Redding, Shasta College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,197, while out-of-state students pay about $8,853. Fire Science graduates carry a median of $12,275 in student loans. Soon after graduation, fire science degree recipients from Shasta College generally make around $50,330. Set against $12,275 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of The Sequoias earned the #7 position for value in fire science this year. Set in the city of Visalia, College Of The Sequoias is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,394, while out-of-state students pay about $9,038. Fire Science graduates carry a median of $10,288 in student loans. Fire Science graduates of College Of The Sequoias earn a median of $37,749 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,288 median debt.
Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice landed the #8 spot for fire science value this year. Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice is a large public school located in the city of New York. Students from in state pay about $7,470 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,420. Typical student debt for fire science graduates is $16,500. Soon after graduation, fire science degree recipients from Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice generally make around $48,121. Set against $16,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 57%.
Indian River State College placed #9 among the best values for fire science. Indian River State College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fort Pierce. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,764, compared with $10,201 for out-of-state students. Fire Science graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, fire science degree recipients from Indian River State College generally make around $47,206. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lewis And Clark Community College earned the #10 position for value in fire science this year. Located in the suburb of Godfrey, Lewis And Clark Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,340, compared with $7,840 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,602 to complete the fire science program here. Fire Science graduates of Lewis And Clark Community College earn a median of $41,313 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Chipola College earned the #11 position for value in fire science this year. Located in the town of Marianna, Chipola College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,120, while out-of-state students pay about $8,950. Students borrow a median of $9,097 to complete the fire science program here. Soon after graduation, fire science degree recipients from Chipola College generally make around $43,599. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Tarrant County College District ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value fire science schools. Located in the city of Fort Worth, Tarrant County College District is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,863 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,370. Students borrow a median of $15,148 to complete the fire science program here. Fire Science graduates of Tarrant County College District earn a median of $45,158 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,148 median debt.
Modesto Junior College landed the #13 spot for fire science value this year. Modesto Junior College is a very large public school located in the city of Modesto. Students from in state pay about $1,282 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,264. Fire Science graduates carry a median of $8,575 in student loans. Early-career fire science graduates make about $50,364. Set against $8,575 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Del Mar College came in at #14 for value in fire science this year. Located in the city of Corpus Christi, Del Mar College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,500, while out-of-state students pay about $6,050. Students borrow a median of $7,476 to complete the fire science program here. Fire Science graduates of Del Mar College earn a median of $40,661 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $7,476 median debt.
Florida State College At Jacksonville landed the #15 spot for fire science value this year. Florida State College At Jacksonville is a very large public school located in the city of Jacksonville. Students from in state pay about $2,657 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,631. Typical student debt for fire science graduates is $19,139. Soon after graduation, fire science degree recipients from Florida State College At Jacksonville generally make around $49,810. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Hillsborough Community College ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value fire science schools. Set in the city of Tampa, Hillsborough Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,491 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,088 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for fire science graduates is $14,735. Fire Science graduates of Hillsborough Community College earn a median of $50,331 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,735 median debt.
University Of Florida Online came in at #17 for value in fire science this year. University Of Florida Online is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Gainesville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,876, with out-of-state students paying around $16,579. Typical student debt for fire science graduates is $12,296. Soon after graduation, fire science degree recipients from University Of Florida Online generally make around $86,740. That is a strong return on a $12,296 median debt. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.
Northwest Florida State College landed the #18 spot for fire science value this year. Located in the suburb of Niceville, Northwest Florida State College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $2,583 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,612. Students borrow a median of $11,566 to complete the fire science program here. Fire Science graduates of Northwest Florida State College earn a median of $52,856 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,566 median debt.
Imperial Valley College ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value fire science schools. Located in the rural area of Imperial, Imperial Valley College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,126, while out-of-state students pay about $8,830. Fire Science graduates carry a median of $6,176 in student loans. Fire Science graduates of Imperial Valley College earn a median of $42,617 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
El Paso Community College came in at #20 for value in fire science this year. Set in the city of El Paso, El Paso Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,274 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $5,314. Typical student debt for fire science graduates is $8,542. Early-career fire science graduates make about $29,086. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cincinnati State Technical And Community College placed #21 among the best values for fire science. Set in the city of Cincinnati, Cincinnati State Technical And Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,517, compared with $10,044 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $6,125 to complete the fire science program here. Fire Science graduates of Cincinnati State Technical And Community College earn a median of $91,944 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $6,125 median debt.
Pima Community College earned the #22 position for value in fire science this year. Set in the city of Tucson, Pima Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,442, with out-of-state students paying around $7,758. Fire Science graduates carry a median of $10,655 in student loans. Soon after graduation, fire science degree recipients from Pima Community College generally make around $35,059. Set against $10,655 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Victor Valley College came in at #23 for value in fire science this year. Located in the suburb of Victorville, Victor Valley College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,425, while out-of-state students pay about $10,125. Typical student debt for fire science graduates is $7,995. Early-career fire science graduates make about $37,755. Set against $7,995 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
South Texas College came in at #24 for value in fire science this year. Located in the city of McAllen, South Texas College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,920, compared with $7,620 for out-of-state students. Fire Science graduates carry a median of $6,868 in student loans. Early-career fire science graduates make about $30,227. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
South Florida State College placed #25 among the best values for fire science. Located in the suburb of Avon Park, South Florida State College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,165, compared with $11,859 for out-of-state students. Fire Science graduates carry a median of $8,204 in student loans. Fire Science graduates of South Florida State College earn a median of $42,415 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Fire Science Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for fire science this year:
Narrow Fire Science Schools by Region
View All Rankings >
Fire Science is one of many programs to choose from within the area of study. See all related rankings.
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 177 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 177 ranked schools only.
- 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
