by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 275 U.S. colleges awarded 10,359 degrees and certificates in Fire Science. Master’s degrees are the most popular award, at 63% of graduates. College Factual ranks 169 schools in its 2027 Best Fire Science Schools ranking and compares their cost in a Best Value ranking. Graduates earn a median $63,281 one year after completing, rising to $75,621 after four years.
A major in Fire Science covers Fire Science/fire-Fighting. A Program Focusing On The Theory And Practice Of Fires And Fire-Fighting. Includes Instruction In Fire Chemistry And Physics, Combustible Materials, Computer Science, Building Construction, Fire Codes And Related Laws, Fire Hydraulics, Fire Command, Fire Prevention/inspection, Fire Protection Systems, Fire Suppression Systems, Fire/arson Investigation, Occupational Safety, Equipment Operation, Emergency Medicine And Communications. Examples: [Fire Science And Analysis], [Firefighter Training].
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
Nationwide, fire science is a widely-pursued major, with 10,359 degrees awarded annually. 275 colleges award fire science degrees, an average of 38 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 714.
By level, the 10,359 awards include 868 certificates, 2,044 associate degrees, 158 bachelor’s degrees and 6,512 master’s degrees.
Women earned 12% of fire science degrees and certificates in the latest year (1,187 of 10,359). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (6,422) and Hispanic or Latino (2,188), and international students earned 26.
College Factual ranks 169 schools in its 2027 Best Fire Science Schools ranking, including 62 for associate degrees and 5 for bachelor’s degrees. It also ranks fire science schools within 24 states. In all, 275 colleges offer fire science programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value Fire Science Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common fire science credential is the master’s degree: 6,512 of the 10,359 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to fire science call most for Critical Thinking, Active Listening and Speaking, and for knowledge of Public Safety and Security, Customer and Personal Service and Education and Training, according to O*NET. The most important abilities are Problem Sensitivity, Oral Comprehension and Oral Expression.
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How long a fire science degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 868 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 2,044 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 158 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 6,512 |
High school diploma or equivalent is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to fire science, at 29.2%.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| High school diploma or equivalent | 29.2% |
| Some college courses | 20.1% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 18.9% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 15.0% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 10.9% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 4.2% |
| Master’s degree | 0.7% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 0.6% |
| First professional degree | 0.5% |
Source: O*NET Online.
4 occupations are related to Fire Science, with an average median salary of $50,230; the strongest outlook belongs to First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers, at 15.0% projected job growth. Typical job titles include Fire Prevention Officer, Wildland Firefighter, District Ranger and Fire Observer.
The occupation related to fire science with the most projected jobs is Forest Fire Inspectors and Prevention Specialists, at 492,341.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Forest Fire Inspectors and Prevention Specialists | 492,341 | 8.2% |
| Fire Inspectors and Investigators | 390,120 | 0.9% |
| Firefighters | 221,721 | 6.5% |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | 143,098 | 15.0% |
Fire Science graduates earn a median $63,281 one year after completing their program, $75,621 after four years and $72,249 after five years, according to the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $63,281 |
| 4 years | $75,621 |
| 5 years | $72,249 |
Source: College Scorecard.
The same occupation is also the highest-paying one related to fire science, with a median salary of $63,677.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $63,677 |
| Fire Inspectors and Investigators | $60,919 |
| Forest Fire Inspectors and Prevention Specialists | $44,909 |
| Firefighters | $31,415 |
Fire Science has 6 similar majors in the Law Enforcement & Firefighting field, which together award 5,906 degrees a year; the largest are Fire Prevention and Safety Technology/Technician (3,559), Fire Services Administration (2,009) and Wildland/Forest Firefighting and Investigation (174). Browse all Law Enforcement & Firefighting majors or the full list of college majors.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Fire Prevention and Safety Technology/Technician | 3,559 |
| Fire Services Administration | 2,009 |
| Wildland/Forest Firefighting and Investigation | 174 |
| Fire Systems Technology | 59 |
| Fire Protection, Other | 54 |
| Fire/Arson Investigation and Prevention | 51 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
