2026 Best Value Fire Prevention & Safety Technology/Technician Associate’s Degree Schools
[Fire Prevention & Safety Technology/Technician](/majors/protective-security-safety-services/fire-protection/fire-prevention-and-safety-technology-technician/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 186 schools to find the best return on investment for fire prevention & safety technology/technician students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Fire Prevention & Safety Technology/Technician Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in fire prevention & safety technology/technician, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Fire Prevention & Safety Technology/Technician Schools
Leading the list is College Of San Mateo, our #1 best value for fire prevention & safety technology/technician in the United States. College Of San Mateo is a large public school located in the city of San Mateo. Students from in state pay about $1,332 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,428 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for fire prevention & safety technology/technician graduates is $12,831. Graduates go on to earn a median of $54,172 ten years after entry. Set against $12,831 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in fire prevention & safety technology/technician will find it at Oxnard College, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Oxnard, Oxnard College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,426, while out-of-state students pay about $9,615. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $41,393.
Moraine Valley Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in fire prevention & safety technology/technician, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Palos Hills, Moraine Valley Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,822, compared with $9,846 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for fire prevention & safety technology/technician graduates is $11,149. Soon after graduation, fire prevention & safety technology/technician degree recipients from Moraine Valley Community College generally make around $43,844. That is a strong return on a $11,149 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at College Of The Canyons earned it the #4 place for fire prevention & safety technology/technician. Located in the suburb of Santa Clarita, College Of The Canyons is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,166, while out-of-state students pay about $10,958. Fire Prevention & Safety Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $9,776 in student loans. Soon after graduation, fire prevention & safety technology/technician degree recipients from College Of The Canyons generally make around $51,913. That is a strong return on a $9,776 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in fire prevention & safety technology/technician will find it at San Diego Miramar College, which ranked #5. San Diego Miramar College is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. In-state tuition and fees average $1,146, with out-of-state students paying around $10,002. Fire Prevention & Safety Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $8,098 in student loans. Soon after graduation, fire prevention & safety technology/technician degree recipients from San Diego Miramar College generally make around $41,038. Set against $8,098 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Fresno City College earned the #6 position for value in fire prevention & safety technology/technician this year. Fresno City College is a very large public school located in the city of Fresno. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,378, while out-of-state students pay about $8,638. Fire Prevention & Safety Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $7,234 in student loans. Early-career fire prevention & safety technology/technician graduates make about $37,470. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of The Sequoias earned the #7 position for value in fire prevention & safety technology/technician this year. Located in the city of Visalia, College Of The Sequoias is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,394, with out-of-state students paying around $9,038. Fire Prevention & Safety Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $10,288 in student loans. Fire Prevention & Safety Technology/technician 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.
Mt San Antonio College landed the #8 spot for fire prevention & safety technology/technician value this year. Located in the suburb of Walnut, Mt San Antonio College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,364, while out-of-state students pay about $10,464. Typical student debt for fire prevention & safety technology/technician graduates is $9,384. Early-career fire prevention & safety technology/technician graduates make about $44,391. That is a strong return on a $9,384 median debt.
Moreno Valley College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value fire prevention & safety technology/technician schools. Set in the suburb of Moreno Valley, Moreno Valley College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,428, while out-of-state students pay about $12,498. Fire Prevention & Safety Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $12,643 in student loans. Soon after graduation, fire prevention & safety technology/technician degree recipients from Moreno Valley College generally make around $45,515. Set against $12,643 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Victor Valley College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value fire prevention & safety technology/technician schools. Set in the suburb of Victorville, Victor Valley College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,425, while out-of-state students pay about $10,125. Students borrow a median of $7,995 to complete the fire prevention & safety technology/technician program here. Early-career fire prevention & safety technology/technician graduates make about $37,755. Set against $7,995 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Middlesex Community College Bedford ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value fire prevention & safety technology/technician schools. Middlesex Community College Bedford is a large public school located in the suburb of Bedford. In-state tuition and fees average $6,098, compared with $12,170 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,602 to complete the fire prevention & safety technology/technician program here. Early-career fire prevention & safety technology/technician graduates make about $48,427. That is a strong return on a $11,602 median debt.
Cleveland Community College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value fire prevention & safety technology/technician schools. Located in the town of Shelby, Cleveland Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,602, with out-of-state students paying around $8,746. Fire Prevention & Safety Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $7,131 in student loans. Early-career fire prevention & safety technology/technician graduates make about $39,891. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Santa Ana College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value fire prevention & safety technology/technician schools. Located in the city of Santa Ana, Santa Ana College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,180, with out-of-state students paying around $10,756. Fire Prevention & Safety Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $14,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, fire prevention & safety technology/technician degree recipients from Santa Ana College generally make around $53,847. That is a strong return on a $14,000 median debt.
Las Positas College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value fire prevention & safety technology/technician schools. Located in the city of Livermore, Las Positas College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,168, compared with $9,808 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $51,088 ten years out.
Solano Community College placed #15 among the best values for fire prevention & safety technology/technician. Located in the suburb of Fairfield, Solano Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,172, with out-of-state students paying around $9,772. Typical student debt for fire prevention & safety technology/technician graduates is $10,500. Graduates go on to earn a median of $44,170 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $10,500 median debt.
El Paso Community College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value fire prevention & safety technology/technician schools. Set in the city of El Paso, El Paso Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,274, compared with $5,314 for out-of-state students. Fire Prevention & Safety Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $8,542 in student loans. Fire Prevention & Safety Technology/technician graduates of El Paso Community College earn a median of $29,086 early in their careers. Set against $8,542 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Fayetteville Technical Community College ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value fire prevention & safety technology/technician schools. Fayetteville Technical Community College is a large public school located in the city of Fayetteville. In-state tuition and fees average $2,628, while out-of-state students pay about $8,772. Fire Prevention & Safety Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $16,909 in student loans. Early-career fire prevention & safety technology/technician graduates make about $40,584. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Sierra College earned the #18 position for value in fire prevention & safety technology/technician this year. Located in the suburb of Rocklin, Sierra College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,446. Students borrow a median of $12,733 to complete the fire prevention & safety technology/technician program here. Soon after graduation, fire prevention & safety technology/technician degree recipients from Sierra College generally make around $29,214. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Butte College earned the #19 position for value in fire prevention & safety technology/technician this year. Butte College is a large public school located in the rural area of Oroville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,356, with out-of-state students paying around $9,276. Typical student debt for fire prevention & safety technology/technician graduates is $13,302. Fire Prevention & Safety Technology/technician graduates of Butte College earn a median of $67,048 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,302 median debt.
Santa Rosa Junior College ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value fire prevention & safety technology/technician schools. Located in the city of Santa Rosa, Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,318, while out-of-state students pay about $11,308. Fire Prevention & Safety Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $14,692 in student loans. Fire Prevention & Safety Technology/technician graduates of Santa Rosa Junior College earn a median of $80,047 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Allan Hancock College earned the #21 position for value in fire prevention & safety technology/technician this year. Set in the city of Santa Maria, Allan Hancock College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,156 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,892. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,786 ten years after entry.
El Camino Community College District placed #22 among the best values for fire prevention & safety technology/technician. Set in the suburb of Torrance, El Camino Community College District is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,144, compared with $7,630 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $41,589 ten years out.
American River College landed the #23 spot for fire prevention & safety technology/technician value this year. Located in the suburb of Sacramento, American River College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,288 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,616. Typical student debt for fire prevention & safety technology/technician graduates is $14,105. Fire Prevention & Safety Technology/technician graduates of American River College earn a median of $76,077 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,105 median debt.
Mission College came in at #24 for value in fire prevention & safety technology/technician this year. Set in the city of Santa Clara, Mission College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,438, with out-of-state students paying around $12,500. Students borrow a median of $17,223 to complete the fire prevention & safety technology/technician program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $50,936. Set against $17,223 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Long Beach City College ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value fire prevention & safety technology/technician schools. Long Beach City College is a very large public school located in the city of Long Beach. Students from in state pay about $1,556 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,544. Students borrow a median of $6,000 to complete the fire prevention & safety technology/technician program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $38,870. Set against $6,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Fire Prevention & Safety Technology/Technician Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in fire prevention & safety technology/technician:
Other Fire Prevention & Safety Technology/Technician Degree Levels
Explore the best-value fire prevention & safety technology/technician schools at other degree levels:
View All Fire Prevention & Safety Technology/Technician Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 186 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 26 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.
