2027 Best Value Wildl&/Forest Firefighting & Investigation Schools
[Wildl&/Forest Firefighting & Investigation](/majors/protective-security-safety-services/fire-protection/wildland-forest-firefighting-and-investigation/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 17 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value wildl&/forest firefighting & investigation schools.
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Finding the Best Value Wildl&/Forest Firefighting & Investigation School for You
The wildl&/forest firefighting & investigation program you select can have a big impact on your finances and your future. To help, we created our Best Value Wildl&/Forest Firefighting & Investigation Schools ranking. It weighs the cost of a degree against the outcomes graduates go on to achieve, so you can find the strongest return on your investment.
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Customizing Your List
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value Wildl&/Forest Firefighting & Investigation 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.
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2027 Best Value Wildl&/Forest Firefighting & Investigation Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the wildl&/forest firefighting & investigation degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Wildl&/Forest Firefighting & Investigation Schools
Shasta College earned the #1 spot for value among wildl&/forest firefighting & investigation schools in the United States. Set in the suburb of Redding, Shasta College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,197, compared with $8,853 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for wildl&/forest firefighting & investigation graduates is $12,275. Soon after graduation, wildl&/forest firefighting & investigation degree recipients from Shasta College generally make around $50,330. Set against $12,275 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #2 makes Victor Valley College one of the best values for wildl&/forest firefighting & investigation. Set in the suburb of Victorville, Victor Valley College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,425, with out-of-state students paying around $10,125. Wildl&/forest Firefighting & Investigation graduates carry a median of $7,995 in student loans. Early-career wildl&/forest firefighting & investigation graduates make about $37,755. Set against $7,995 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Antelope Valley College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in wildl&/forest firefighting & investigation, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Lancaster, Antelope Valley College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,124 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,548 for out-of-state students. Wildl&/forest Firefighting & Investigation graduates carry a median of $10,729 in student loans. Early-career wildl&/forest firefighting & investigation graduates make about $50,744. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in wildl&/forest firefighting & investigation will find it at Allan Hancock College, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Santa Maria, Allan Hancock College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,156 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,892. Median earnings reach $42,786 ten years out.
Utah Valley University came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value wildl&/forest firefighting & investigation schools. Set in the city of Orem, Utah Valley University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,507 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,489. Students borrow a median of $15,203 to complete the wildl&/forest firefighting & investigation program here. Early-career wildl&/forest firefighting & investigation graduates make about $60,522. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Pikes Peak Community College ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value wildl&/forest firefighting & investigation schools. Located in the suburb of Colorado Springs, Pikes Peak Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,510, compared with $17,110 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,066 to complete the wildl&/forest firefighting & investigation program here. Early-career wildl&/forest firefighting & investigation graduates make about $41,037. That is a strong return on a $16,066 median debt.
Mt San Antonio College placed #7 among the best values for wildl&/forest firefighting & investigation. Set in the suburb of Walnut, Mt San Antonio College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,364, while out-of-state students pay about $10,464. Students borrow a median of $9,384 to complete the wildl&/forest firefighting & investigation program here. Soon after graduation, wildl&/forest firefighting & investigation degree recipients from Mt San Antonio College generally make around $44,391. Set against $9,384 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Fox Valley Technical College came in at #8 for value in wildl&/forest firefighting & investigation this year. Located in the suburb of Appleton, Fox Valley Technical College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,040, compared with $7,283 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,000 to complete the wildl&/forest firefighting & investigation program here. Wildl&/forest Firefighting & Investigation graduates of Fox Valley Technical College earn a median of $44,020 early in their careers. Set against $10,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Reedley College earned the #9 position for value in wildl&/forest firefighting & investigation this year. Located in the town of Reedley, Reedley College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,378, while out-of-state students pay about $8,638. Students borrow a median of $6,500 to complete the wildl&/forest firefighting & investigation program here. Wildl&/forest Firefighting & Investigation graduates of Reedley College earn a median of $30,520 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $6,500 median debt.
Aims Community College came in at #10 for value in wildl&/forest firefighting & investigation this year. Set in the city of Greeley, Aims Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,258 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,786. Wildl&/forest Firefighting & Investigation graduates carry a median of $9,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, wildl&/forest firefighting & investigation degree recipients from Aims Community College generally make around $45,909. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Pueblo Community College earned the #11 position for value in wildl&/forest firefighting & investigation this year. Pueblo Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Pueblo. Students from in state pay about $5,049 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,649 for out-of-state students. Wildl&/forest Firefighting & Investigation graduates carry a median of $14,106 in student loans. Wildl&/forest Firefighting & Investigation graduates of Pueblo Community College earn a median of $42,377 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Central Oregon Community College landed the #12 spot for wildl&/forest firefighting & investigation value this year. Central Oregon Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Bend. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,683, compared with $15,246 for out-of-state students. Wildl&/forest Firefighting & Investigation graduates carry a median of $16,250 in student loans. Wildl&/forest Firefighting & Investigation graduates of Central Oregon Community College earn a median of $52,183 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,250 median debt.
Coconino Community College placed #13 among the best values for wildl&/forest firefighting & investigation. Located in the rural area of Flagstaff, Coconino Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,907, compared with $9,987 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,011 to complete the wildl&/forest firefighting & investigation program here. Soon after graduation, wildl&/forest firefighting & investigation degree recipients from Coconino Community College generally make around $39,850. Set against $16,011 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rio Hondo College ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value wildl&/forest firefighting & investigation schools. Rio Hondo College is a very large public school located in the rural area of Whittier. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,388, compared with $9,884 for out-of-state students. Wildl&/forest Firefighting & Investigation graduates carry a median of $15,510 in student loans. Early-career wildl&/forest firefighting & investigation graduates make about $95,666. Set against $15,510 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point placed #15 among the best values for wildl&/forest firefighting & investigation. University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Stevens Point. In-state tuition and fees average $9,228, with out-of-state students paying around $18,248. Students borrow a median of $24,161 to complete the wildl&/forest firefighting & investigation program here. Early-career wildl&/forest firefighting & investigation graduates make about $41,256. That is a strong return on a $24,161 median debt. University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point admits about 92% of applicants.
Bakersfield College came in at #16 for value in wildl&/forest firefighting & investigation this year. Located in the city of Bakersfield, Bakersfield College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,430, while out-of-state students pay about $11,300. Students borrow a median of $9,419 to complete the wildl&/forest firefighting & investigation program here. Early-career wildl&/forest firefighting & investigation graduates make about $86,312. Set against $9,419 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mesa State College ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value wildl&/forest firefighting & investigation schools. Set in the city of Grand Junction, Mesa State College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,927 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $25,124. Typical student debt for wildl&/forest firefighting & investigation graduates is $22,310. Early-career wildl&/forest firefighting & investigation graduates make about $43,617. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Mesa State College admits about 82% of applicants.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 17 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 17 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.
