2026 Best Value Fire Prevention & Safety Technology/Technician Schools in the Far Western Region
[Fire Prevention & Safety Technology/Technician](/majors/protective-security-safety-services/fire-protection/fire-prevention-and-safety-technology-technician/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 65 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 Far Western Region
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
College Of San Mateo earned the #1 spot for value among fire prevention & safety technology/technician schools in the Far Western Region. Located in the city of San Mateo, College Of San Mateo is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,332, compared with $11,428 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,831 to complete the fire prevention & safety technology/technician program here. Median earnings reach $54,172 ten years out. Set against $12,831 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Oxnard College earned it the #2 place for fire prevention & safety technology/technician. Oxnard College is a large public school located in the city of Oxnard. In-state tuition and fees average $1,426, while out-of-state students pay about $9,615. Graduates go on to earn a median of $41,393 ten years after entry.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at San Diego Miramar College earned it the #3 place for fire prevention & safety technology/technician. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego Miramar College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,146, compared with $10,002 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for fire prevention & safety technology/technician graduates is $8,098. Fire Prevention & Safety Technology/technician graduates of San Diego Miramar College earn a median of $41,038 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,098 median debt.
College Of The Sequoias came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value fire prevention & safety technology/technician schools. Set in the city of Visalia, College Of The Sequoias is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,394 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,038. Typical student debt for fire prevention & safety technology/technician graduates is $10,288. Soon after graduation, fire prevention & safety technology/technician degree recipients from College Of The Sequoias generally make around $37,749. Set against $10,288 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #5 makes Moreno Valley College one of the best values for fire prevention & safety technology/technician. Moreno Valley College is a large public school located in the suburb of Moreno Valley. Students from in state pay about $1,428 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,498 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,643 to complete the fire prevention & safety technology/technician program here. Fire Prevention & Safety Technology/technician graduates of Moreno Valley College earn a median of $45,515 early in their careers. Set against $12,643 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of The Canyons came in at #6 for value in fire prevention & safety technology/technician this year. College Of The Canyons is a very large public school located in the suburb of Santa Clarita. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,166, compared with $10,958 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,776 to complete the fire prevention & safety technology/technician program here. Fire Prevention & Safety Technology/technician graduates of College Of The Canyons earn a median of $51,913 early in their careers. Set against $9,776 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Fresno City College placed #7 among the best values for fire prevention & safety technology/technician. Set in the city of Fresno, Fresno City College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,378, compared with $8,638 for out-of-state students. 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. That is a strong return on a $7,234 median debt.
Mt San Antonio College placed #8 among the best values for fire prevention & safety technology/technician. Set in the suburb of Walnut, Mt San Antonio College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,364, while out-of-state students pay about $10,464. Fire Prevention & Safety Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $9,384 in student loans. Early-career fire prevention & safety technology/technician graduates make about $44,391. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Imperial Valley College earned the #9 position for value in fire prevention & safety technology/technician this year. Set in the rural area of Imperial, Imperial Valley College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,126, while out-of-state students pay about $8,830. Typical student debt for fire prevention & safety technology/technician graduates is $6,176. Fire Prevention & Safety Technology/technician graduates of Imperial Valley College earn a median of $42,617 early in their careers. Set against $6,176 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Shasta College placed #10 among the best values for fire prevention & safety technology/technician. Located in the suburb of Redding, Shasta College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,197, compared with $8,853 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,275 to complete the fire prevention & safety technology/technician program here. Soon after graduation, fire prevention & safety technology/technician degree recipients from Shasta College generally make around $50,330. That is a strong return on a $12,275 median debt.
Victor Valley College came in at #11 for value in fire prevention & safety technology/technician this year. Victor Valley College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Victorville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Las Positas College landed the #12 spot for fire prevention & safety technology/technician value this year. Las Positas College is a large public school located in the city of Livermore. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,168, with out-of-state students paying around $9,808. Graduates go on to earn a median of $51,088 ten years after entry.
Santa Ana College landed the #13 spot for fire prevention & safety technology/technician value this year. Santa Ana College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Ana. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,180, compared with $10,756 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for fire prevention & safety technology/technician graduates is $14,500. Fire Prevention & Safety Technology/technician graduates of Santa Ana College earn a median of $50,254 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Solano Community College came in at #14 for value in fire prevention & safety technology/technician this year. Set in the suburb of Fairfield, Solano Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,172, compared with $9,772 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,500 to complete the fire prevention & safety technology/technician program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $44,170. That is a strong return on a $10,500 median debt.
Porterville College earned the #15 position for value in fire prevention & safety technology/technician this year. Set in the suburb of Porterville, Porterville College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,438, while out-of-state students pay about $11,308. Graduates go on to earn a median of $36,328 ten years after entry.
Butte College landed the #16 spot for fire prevention & safety technology/technician value this year. Butte College is a large public school located in the rural area of Oroville. Students from in state pay about $1,356 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,276 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,302 to complete the fire prevention & safety technology/technician program here. Soon after graduation, fire prevention & safety technology/technician degree recipients from Butte College generally make around $67,048. Set against $13,302 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Sierra College placed #17 among the best values for fire prevention & safety technology/technician. Set in the suburb of Rocklin, Sierra College is a very large public institution. 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. Early-career fire prevention & safety technology/technician graduates make about $29,214. Set against $12,733 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
American River College earned the #18 position for value in fire prevention & safety technology/technician this year. American River College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Sacramento. In-state tuition and fees average $1,288, compared with $12,616 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for fire prevention & safety technology/technician graduates is $14,105. Early-career fire prevention & safety technology/technician graduates make about $76,077. Set against $14,105 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Allan Hancock College placed #19 among the best values for fire prevention & safety technology/technician. Set in the city of Santa Maria, Allan Hancock College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,156, with out-of-state students paying around $9,892. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,786.
Santa Rosa Junior College came in at #20 for value in fire prevention & safety technology/technician this year. Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Rosa. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,318, compared with $11,308 for out-of-state students. Fire Prevention & Safety Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $14,692 in student loans. Soon after graduation, fire prevention & safety technology/technician degree recipients from Santa Rosa Junior College generally make around $80,047. Set against $14,692 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
El Camino Community College District placed #21 among the best values for fire prevention & safety technology/technician. El Camino Community College District is a very large public school located in the suburb of Torrance. In-state tuition and fees average $1,144, while out-of-state students pay about $7,630. Median earnings reach $41,589 ten years out.
Long Beach City College landed the #22 spot for fire prevention & safety technology/technician value this year. Set in the city of Long Beach, Long Beach City College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,556 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,544. Typical student debt for fire prevention & safety technology/technician graduates is $6,000. Graduates go on to earn a median of $38,870 ten years after entry. Set against $6,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mission College landed the #23 spot for fire prevention & safety technology/technician value this year. Set in the city of Santa Clara, Mission College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,438, with out-of-state students paying around $12,500. Typical student debt for fire prevention & safety technology/technician graduates is $17,223. Graduates go on to earn a median of $50,936 ten years after entry. Set against $17,223 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Bakersfield College ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value fire prevention & safety technology/technician schools. 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. Fire Prevention & Safety Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $9,419 in student loans. Early-career fire prevention & safety technology/technician graduates make about $86,312. Set against $9,419 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Palomar College ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value fire prevention & safety technology/technician schools. Located in the suburb of San Marcos, Palomar College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,354, with out-of-state students paying around $10,650. Median earnings reach $42,300 ten years out.
Rest of the Top 44 Best Value Fire Prevention & Safety Technology/Technician Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for fire prevention & safety technology/technician this year:
Narrow Fire Prevention & Safety Technology/Technician Schools by State
More Fire Prevention & Safety Technology/Technician Rankings
View All Fire Prevention & Safety Technology/Technician Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 65 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 10 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.
