by our College Data Analytics Team
[Fire Science](/majors/protective-security-safety-services/fire-protection/fire-science/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 57 schools to find the best return on investment for fire science students.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the fire science degrees they offer, see the list below.
Oxnard College tops our 2026 list of the best value fire science schools in the Far Western Region. Set in the city of Oxnard, Oxnard College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,426, with out-of-state students paying around $9,615. Graduates go on to earn a median of $41,393 ten years after entry.
A rank of #2 makes Moreno Valley College one of the best values for fire science. Set in the suburb of Moreno Valley, Moreno Valley College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,428, compared with $12,498 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,643 to complete the fire science program here. Early-career fire science graduates make about $45,515. Set against $12,643 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in fire science will find it at College Of The Sequoias, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Visalia, College Of The Sequoias is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,394 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,038. Students borrow a median of $10,288 to complete the fire science program here. Fire Science graduates of College Of The Sequoias earn a median of $37,749 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #4 makes Mt San Antonio College one of the best values for fire science. Set in the suburb of Walnut, Mt San Antonio College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,364 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,464. Students borrow a median of $9,384 to complete the fire science program here. Early-career fire science graduates make about $44,391. Set against $9,384 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in fire science will find it at Fresno City College, which ranked #5. Fresno City College is a very large public school located in the city of Fresno. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,378, with out-of-state students paying around $8,638. Typical student debt for fire science graduates is $7,234. Fire Science graduates of Fresno City College earn a median of $37,470 early in their careers. Set against $7,234 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Shasta College came in at #6 for value in fire science this year. Set in the suburb of Redding, Shasta College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,197, compared with $8,853 for out-of-state students. Fire Science graduates carry a median of $12,275 in student loans. Fire Science graduates of Shasta College earn a median of $50,330 early in their careers. Set against $12,275 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Imperial Valley College earned the #7 position for value in fire science this year. Set in the rural area of Imperial, Imperial Valley College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,126, with out-of-state students paying around $8,830. Fire Science graduates carry a median of $6,176 in student loans. Soon after graduation, fire science degree recipients from Imperial Valley College generally make around $42,617. Set against $6,176 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Victor Valley College placed #8 among the best values for fire science. Located in the suburb of Victorville, Victor Valley College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,425, with out-of-state students paying around $10,125. Students borrow a median of $7,995 to complete the fire science program here. Soon after graduation, fire science degree recipients from Victor Valley College generally make around $37,755. Set against $7,995 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Las Positas College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value fire science schools. Las Positas College is a large public school located in the city of Livermore. 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 landed the #10 spot for fire science value this year. Located in the suburb of Fairfield, Solano Community College is a large public university. 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 science program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $44,170. That is a strong return on a $10,500 median debt.
Bates Technical College came in at #11 for value in fire science this year. Located in the city of Tacoma, Bates Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,027, while out-of-state students pay about $12,165. Graduates go on to earn a median of $50,051 ten years after entry.
Butte College landed the #12 spot for fire science 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, while out-of-state students pay about $9,276. Fire Science graduates carry a median of $13,302 in student loans. Early-career fire science graduates make about $67,048. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Sierra College landed the #13 spot for fire science value this year. Sierra College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Rocklin. Students from in state pay about $1,446 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $12,733 to complete the fire science program here. Fire Science graduates of Sierra College earn a median of $29,214 early in their careers. Set against $12,733 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Santa Rosa Junior College earned the #14 position for value in fire science this year. Located in the city of Santa Rosa, Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,318 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,308. Fire Science graduates carry a median of $14,692 in student loans. Fire Science graduates of Santa Rosa Junior College earn a median of $80,047 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,692 median debt.
American River College earned the #15 position for value in fire science 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, while out-of-state students pay about $12,616. Typical student debt for fire science graduates is $14,105. Soon after graduation, fire science degree recipients from American River College generally make around $76,077. That is a strong return on a $14,105 median debt.
Allan Hancock College placed #16 among the best values for fire science. Located in the city of Santa Maria, Allan Hancock College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,156, with out-of-state students paying around $9,892. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,786 ten years after entry.
El Camino Community College District landed the #17 spot for fire science value this year. El Camino Community College District is a very large public school located in the suburb of Torrance. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,144, while out-of-state students pay about $7,630. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $41,589.
Mission College came in at #18 for value in fire science this year. Mission College is a large public school located in the city of Santa Clara. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,438, with out-of-state students paying around $12,500. Fire Science graduates carry a median of $17,223 in student loans. Median earnings reach $50,936 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $17,223 median debt.
Palomar College placed #19 among the best values for fire science. Palomar College is a very large public school located in the suburb of San Marcos. In-state tuition and fees average $1,354, while out-of-state students pay about $10,650. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,300.
Bakersfield College earned the #20 position for value in fire science this year. Located in the city of Bakersfield, Bakersfield College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,430 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,300. Fire Science graduates carry a median of $9,419 in student loans. Soon after graduation, fire science degree recipients from Bakersfield College generally make around $86,312. That is a strong return on a $9,419 median debt.
Spokane Community College came in at #21 for value in fire science this year. Set in the city of Spokane, Spokane Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,461, compared with $6,612 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for fire science graduates is $16,486. Early-career fire science graduates make about $39,679. That is a strong return on a $16,486 median debt.
Los Medanos College landed the #22 spot for fire science value this year. Located in the suburb of Pittsburg, Los Medanos College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,312, while out-of-state students pay about $10,320. Fire Science graduates carry a median of $9,500 in student loans. Early-career fire science graduates make about $32,581. Set against $9,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of Southern Nevada landed the #23 spot for fire science value this year. Located in the city of Las Vegas, College Of Southern Nevada is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,358 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $13,024. Students borrow a median of $9,980 to complete the fire science program here. Early-career fire science graduates make about $35,850. That is a strong return on a $9,980 median debt.
Skagit Valley College came in at #24 for value in fire science this year. Set in the city of Mount Vernon, Skagit Valley College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,400 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,410. Typical student debt for fire science graduates is $14,056. Fire Science graduates of Skagit Valley College earn a median of $44,860 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
City College Of San Francisco ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value fire science schools. City College Of San Francisco is a very large public school located in the city of San Francisco. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,696, while out-of-state students pay about $14,656. Typical student debt for fire science graduates is $10,332. Early-career fire science graduates make about $100,031. Set against $10,332 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in fire science:
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 · 57 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 7 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.