2027 Best Value Fire Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[Fire Science](/majors/protective-security-safety-services/fire-protection/fire-science/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong fire science education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 28 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value fire science schools.
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2027 Best Value Fire Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the fire science degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Fire Science Schools
Joliet Junior College earned the #1 spot for value among fire science schools in the Great Lakes Region. Located in the suburb of Joliet, Joliet Junior College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,530, with out-of-state students paying around $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Lewis And Clark Community College earned it the #2 place for fire science. Lewis And Clark Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Godfrey. Students from in state pay about $4,340 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,840. Fire Science graduates carry a median of $9,602 in student loans. Fire Science graduates of Lewis And Clark Community College earn a median of $41,313 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,602 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in fire science will find it at Cincinnati State Technical And Community College, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Cincinnati, Cincinnati State Technical And Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,517 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,044 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $6,125 to complete the fire science program here. Fire Science graduates of Cincinnati State Technical And Community College earn a median of $91,944 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $6,125 median debt.
A rank of #4 makes Lincoln Land Community College one of the best values for fire science. Set in the rural area of Springfield, Lincoln Land Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,744 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,464. Fire Science graduates carry a median of $11,272 in student loans. Soon after graduation, fire science degree recipients from Lincoln Land Community College generally make around $43,834. That is a strong return on a $11,272 median debt.
Prairie State College came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value fire science schools. Set in the suburb of Chicago Heights, Prairie State College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,176, compared with $11,064 for out-of-state students. Fire Science graduates carry a median of $15,663 in student loans. Early-career fire science graduates make about $37,500. Set against $15,663 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lansing Community College landed the #6 spot for fire science value this year. Lansing Community College is a large public school located in the city of Lansing. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,100, compared with $11,300 for out-of-state students. Fire Science graduates carry a median of $16,700 in student loans. Fire Science graduates of Lansing Community College earn a median of $46,103 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Elgin Community College earned the #7 position for value in fire science this year. Set in the city of Elgin, Elgin Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,252, while out-of-state students pay about $9,516. Fire Science graduates carry a median of $7,727 in student loans. Fire Science graduates of Elgin Community College earn a median of $43,975 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Oakland Community College ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value fire science schools. Oakland Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Auburn Hills. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,120, while out-of-state students pay about $5,560. Typical student debt for fire science graduates is $15,865. Soon after graduation, fire science degree recipients from Oakland Community College generally make around $44,178. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Sinclair Community College came in at #9 for value in fire science this year. Set in the city of Dayton, Sinclair Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,675, compared with $8,556 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,950 to complete the fire science program here. Early-career fire science graduates make about $35,348. Set against $10,950 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mchenry County College earned the #10 position for value in fire science this year. Set in the rural area of Crystal Lake, Mchenry County College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,162, while out-of-state students pay about $14,399. Typical student debt for fire science graduates is $7,440. Early-career fire science graduates make about $24,177. That is a strong return on a $7,440 median debt.
College Of Dupage landed the #11 spot for fire science value this year. Set in the suburb of Glen Ellyn, College Of Dupage is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,560 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,750 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,492 to complete the fire science program here. Fire Science graduates of College Of Dupage earn a median of $43,025 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
John Wood Community College ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value fire science schools. Located in the town of Quincy, John Wood Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,100 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,700. Fire Science graduates carry a median of $13,844 in student loans. Soon after graduation, fire science degree recipients from John Wood Community College generally make around $45,748. That is a strong return on a $13,844 median debt.
College Of Lake County earned the #13 position for value in fire science this year. Set in the suburb of Grayslake, College Of Lake County is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,788, while out-of-state students pay about $14,400. Students borrow a median of $9,785 to complete the fire science program here. Fire Science graduates of College Of Lake County earn a median of $50,314 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,785 median debt.
Ivy Tech Community College earned the #14 position for value in fire science this year. Set in the city of Indianapolis, Ivy Tech Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,154, compared with $9,935 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for fire science graduates is $11,889. Fire Science graduates of Ivy Tech Community College earn a median of $40,734 early in their careers. Set against $11,889 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Purdue University Global landed the #15 spot for fire science value this year. Located in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Global is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,101 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $14,412. Typical student debt for fire science graduates is $25,440. Fire Science graduates of Purdue University Global earn a median of $72,687 early in their careers. Set against $25,440 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Columbus State Community College earned the #16 position for value in fire science this year. Columbus State Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Columbus. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,488, while out-of-state students pay about $11,224. Typical student debt for fire science graduates is $9,041. Median earnings reach $39,435 ten years out. Set against $9,041 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Southwestern Illinois College earned the #17 position for value in fire science this year. Set in the suburb of Belleville, Southwestern Illinois College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,230, while out-of-state students pay about $6,720. Typical student debt for fire science graduates is $12,750. Soon after graduation, fire science degree recipients from Southwestern Illinois College generally make around $77,935. Set against $12,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Western Technical College La Cross placed #18 among the best values for fire science. Set in the city of La Crosse, Western Technical College La Cross is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,820 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,078. Typical student debt for fire science graduates is $13,669. Soon after graduation, fire science degree recipients from Western Technical College La Cross generally make around $43,479. Set against $13,669 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Fox Valley Technical College earned the #19 position for value in fire science this year. Set in the suburb of Appleton, Fox Valley Technical College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,040, while out-of-state students pay about $7,283. Students borrow a median of $10,000 to complete the fire science program here. Early-career fire science graduates make about $44,020. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Harper College ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value fire science schools. Set in the suburb of Palatine, Harper College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,894, compared with $11,874 for out-of-state students. Fire Science graduates carry a median of $10,963 in student loans. Fire Science graduates of Harper College earn a median of $44,523 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Waubonsee Community College ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value fire science schools. Located in the rural area of Sugar Grove, Waubonsee Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,504, while out-of-state students pay about $10,464. Students borrow a median of $9,939 to complete the fire science program here. Fire Science graduates of Waubonsee Community College earn a median of $39,659 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,939 median debt.
Clark State Community College earned the #22 position for value in fire science this year. Located in the city of Springfield, Clark State Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,393 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,049. Students borrow a median of $20,740 to complete the fire science program here. Soon after graduation, fire science degree recipients from Clark State Community College generally make around $39,734. Set against $20,740 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Gateway Technical College landed the #23 spot for fire science value this year. Set in the city of Kenosha, Gateway Technical College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,956 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,199. Typical student debt for fire science graduates is $14,829. Early-career fire science graduates make about $42,410. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Auburn Career Center ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value fire science schools. Located in the suburb of Concord Twp, Auburn Career Center is a small public university. Students borrow a median of $10,807 to complete the fire science program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $37,032 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $10,807 median debt.
Illinois Central College ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value fire science schools. Located in the suburb of East Peoria, Illinois Central College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,800, while out-of-state students pay about $12,150. Fire Science graduates carry a median of $12,222 in student loans. Soon after graduation, fire science degree recipients from Illinois Central College generally make around $53,190. Set against $12,222 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rest of the Top 28 Best Value Fire Science Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in fire science:
Narrow Fire Science Schools by State
More Fire Science Rankings
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 28 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 28 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.
