by our College Data Analytics Team
[Fire Science](/majors/protective-security-safety-services/fire-protection/fire-science/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong fire science education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 76 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value fire science schools.
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If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the fire science degrees they offer, see the list below.
For return on investment in fire science, no school beat Oxnard College this year. Oxnard College is a large public school located in the city of Oxnard. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,426, compared with $9,615 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $41,393 ten years out.
Joliet Junior College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in fire science, landing the #2 spot this year. Joliet Junior College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Joliet. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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 Modesto Junior College, which ranked #3. Modesto Junior College is a very large public school located in the city of Modesto. In-state tuition and fees average $1,282, compared with $9,264 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,575 to complete the fire science program here. Early-career fire science graduates make about $50,364. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #4 makes College Of The Sequoias one of the best values for fire science. College Of The Sequoias is a large public school located in the city of Visalia. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,394, while out-of-state students pay about $9,038. Typical student debt for fire science graduates is $10,288. Early-career fire science graduates make about $37,749. That is a strong return on a $10,288 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at El Paso Community College earned it the #5 place for fire science. El Paso Community College is a very large public school located in the city of El Paso. Students from in state pay about $3,274 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $5,314. Students borrow a median of $8,542 to complete the fire science program here. Fire Science graduates of El Paso Community College earn a median of $29,086 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Indian River State College placed #6 among the best values for fire science. Set in the suburb of Fort Pierce, Indian River State College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,764 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,201. Typical student debt for fire science graduates is $5,500. Soon after graduation, fire science degree recipients from Indian River State College generally make around $47,206. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
South Texas College landed the #7 spot for fire science value this year. South Texas College is a very large public school located in the city of McAllen. In-state tuition and fees average $4,920, while out-of-state students pay about $7,620. Typical student debt for fire science graduates is $6,868. Fire Science graduates of South Texas College earn a median of $30,227 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cincinnati State Technical And Community College placed #8 among the best values for fire science. Cincinnati State Technical And Community College is a large public school located in the city of Cincinnati. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,517, while out-of-state students pay about $10,044. Typical student debt for fire science graduates is $6,125. Early-career fire science graduates make about $91,944. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Antelope Valley College came in at #9 for value in fire science this year. Located in the suburb of Lancaster, Antelope Valley College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,124, while out-of-state students pay about $9,548. Students borrow a median of $10,729 to complete the fire science program here. Early-career fire science graduates make about $50,744. Set against $10,729 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Solano Community College placed #10 among the best values for fire science. Solano Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Fairfield. Students from in state pay about $1,172 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,772. Typical student debt for fire science 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.
Mission College placed #11 among the best values for fire science. Mission College is a large public school located in the city of Santa Clara. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,438, while out-of-state students pay about $12,500. Fire Science graduates carry a median of $17,223 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $50,936 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $17,223 median debt.
Metropolitan Community College Area landed the #12 spot for fire science value this year. Set in the city of Omaha, Metropolitan Community College Area is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,375, with out-of-state students paying around $4,950. Typical student debt for fire science graduates is $12,799. Soon after graduation, fire science degree recipients from Metropolitan Community College Area generally make around $45,583. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Las Positas College came in at #13 for value in fire science this year. Set in the city of Livermore, Las Positas College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,168, compared with $9,808 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $51,088.
Allan Hancock College placed #14 among the best values for fire science. Set in the city of Santa Maria, Allan Hancock College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,156, compared with $9,892 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $42,786 ten years out.
Spokane Community College earned the #15 position for value in fire science this year. Spokane Community College is a large public school located in the city of Spokane. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,461, with out-of-state students paying around $6,612. Students borrow a median of $16,486 to complete the fire science program here. Soon after graduation, fire science degree recipients from Spokane Community College generally make around $39,679. That is a strong return on a $16,486 median debt.
Bristol Community College came in at #16 for value in fire science this year. Bristol Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Fall River. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,832, while out-of-state students pay about $10,776. Fire Science graduates carry a median of $9,482 in student loans. Soon after graduation, fire science degree recipients from Bristol Community College generally make around $37,897. That is a strong return on a $9,482 median debt.
Santa Rosa Junior College earned the #17 position for value in fire science this year. Set in the city of Santa Rosa, Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,318, with out-of-state students paying around $11,308. Students borrow a median of $14,692 to complete the fire science program here. Fire Science graduates of Santa Rosa Junior College earn a median of $80,047 early in their careers. Set against $14,692 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Palomar College ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value fire science schools. Located in the suburb of San Marcos, Palomar College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,354, while out-of-state students pay about $10,650. Median earnings reach $42,300 ten years out.
El Camino Community College District came in at #19 for value in fire science this year. Located in the suburb of Torrance, El Camino Community College District is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,144, compared with $7,630 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $41,589 ten years out.
Springfield Technical Community College landed the #20 spot for fire science value this year. Set in the city of Springfield, Springfield Technical Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,904, while out-of-state students pay about $11,112. Students borrow a median of $9,707 to complete the fire science program here. Soon after graduation, fire science degree recipients from Springfield Technical Community College generally make around $42,457. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Butte College earned the #21 position for value in fire science this year. Butte College is a large public school located in the rural area of Oroville. In-state tuition and fees average $1,356, with out-of-state students paying around $9,276. Typical student debt for fire science graduates is $13,302. Soon after graduation, fire science degree recipients from Butte College generally make around $67,048. That is a strong return on a $13,302 median debt.
Kilgore College placed #22 among the best values for fire science. Located in the town of Kilgore, Kilgore College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,160, while out-of-state students pay about $5,256. Typical student debt for fire science graduates is $16,734. Early-career fire science graduates make about $44,322. That is a strong return on a $16,734 median debt.
Moreno Valley College earned the #23 position for value in fire science this year. Located in the suburb of Moreno Valley, Moreno Valley College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,428, while out-of-state students pay about $12,498. Fire Science graduates carry a median of $12,643 in student loans. Soon after graduation, fire science degree recipients from Moreno Valley College generally make around $45,515. That is a strong return on a $12,643 median debt.
Bates Technical College landed the #24 spot for fire science value this year. Set in the city of Tacoma, Bates Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,027 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,165. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $50,051.
Austin Community College District landed the #25 spot for fire science value this year. Austin Community College District is a very large public school located in the city of Austin. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,550, while out-of-state students pay about $10,590. Typical student debt for fire science graduates is $11,375. Fire Science graduates of Austin Community College District earn a median of $47,024 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
These schools also delivered strong value for fire science this year:
Explore the best-value fire science schools at other degree levels:
The ranking above is published 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 · 76 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 76 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.