by our College Data Analytics Team
[Fire Science](/majors/protective-security-safety-services/fire-protection/fire-science/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 13 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes 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.
For return on investment in fire science, no school beat Joliet Junior College this year. Set in the suburb of Joliet, Joliet Junior College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,530, compared with $13,800 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for fire science graduates is $11,995. Soon after graduation, fire science degree recipients from Joliet Junior College generally make around $40,118. That is a strong return on a $11,995 median debt.
A rank of #2 makes Lewis And Clark Community College one of the best values for fire science. Located in the suburb of Godfrey, Lewis And Clark Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,340, with out-of-state students paying around $7,840. Typical student debt for fire science graduates is $9,602. Soon after graduation, fire science degree recipients from Lewis And Clark Community College generally make around $41,313. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Lincoln Land Community College earned it the #3 place for fire science. Set in the rural area of Springfield, Lincoln Land Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,744, compared with $10,464 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for fire science graduates is $11,272. Fire Science graduates of Lincoln Land Community College earn a median of $43,834 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,272 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Prairie State College earned it the #4 place for fire science. Set in the suburb of Chicago Heights, Prairie State College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,176, with out-of-state students paying around $11,064. Typical student debt for fire science graduates is $15,663. Early-career fire science graduates make about $37,500. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Elgin Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in fire science, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Elgin, Elgin Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,252, compared with $9,516 for out-of-state students. Fire Science graduates carry a median of $7,727 in student loans. Early-career fire science graduates make about $43,975. Set against $7,727 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mchenry County College placed #6 among the best values for fire science. Mchenry County College is a large public school located in the rural area of Crystal Lake. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,162, compared with $14,399 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for fire science graduates is $7,440. Soon after graduation, fire science degree recipients from Mchenry County College generally make around $24,177. That is a strong return on a $7,440 median debt.
John Wood Community College came in at #7 for value in fire science this year. John Wood Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Quincy. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,100, compared with $8,700 for out-of-state students. 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. Set against $13,844 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of Dupage came in at #8 for value in fire science this year. Located in the suburb of Glen Ellyn, College Of Dupage is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,560, compared with $12,750 for out-of-state students. Fire Science graduates carry a median of $12,492 in student loans. Soon after graduation, fire science degree recipients from College Of Dupage generally make around $43,025. Set against $12,492 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of Lake County landed the #9 spot for fire science value this year. College Of Lake County is a very large public school located in the suburb of Grayslake. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,788, compared with $14,400 for out-of-state students. Fire Science graduates carry a median of $9,785 in student loans. Soon after graduation, fire science degree recipients from College Of Lake County generally make around $50,314. Set against $9,785 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Southwestern Illinois College earned the #10 position for value in fire science this year. Located in the suburb of Belleville, Southwestern Illinois College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,230, with out-of-state students paying around $6,720. Typical student debt for fire science graduates is $12,750. Fire Science graduates of Southwestern Illinois College earn a median of $77,935 early in their careers. Set against $12,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Waubonsee Community College ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value fire science schools. Waubonsee Community College is a large public school located in the rural area of Sugar Grove. In-state tuition and fees average $3,504, while out-of-state students pay about $10,464. Fire Science graduates carry a median of $9,939 in student loans. Fire Science graduates of Waubonsee Community College earn a median of $39,659 early in their careers. Set against $9,939 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Harper College came in at #12 for value in fire science this year. Harper College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Palatine. In-state tuition and fees average $3,894, while out-of-state students pay about $11,874. Fire Science graduates carry a median of $10,963 in student loans. Soon after graduation, fire science degree recipients from Harper College generally make around $44,523. That is a strong return on a $10,963 median debt.
Illinois Central College came in at #13 for value in fire science this year. Located in the suburb of East Peoria, Illinois Central College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,800, compared with $12,150 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for fire science graduates is $12,222. Fire Science graduates of Illinois Central College earn a median of $53,190 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,222 median debt.
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 13 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 13 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.