2026 Best Value Fire Science Schools in Illinois
[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 22 schools to find the best return on investment for fire science students.
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2026 Best Value Fire Science Schools in Illinois
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in fire science, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Fire Science Schools
Leading the list is Lewis And Clark Community College, our #1 best value for fire science in Illinois. Set in the suburb of Godfrey, Lewis And Clark Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,340 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,840 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,602 to complete the fire science program here. 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 Prairie State College earned it the #2 place for fire science. Located in the suburb of Chicago Heights, Prairie State College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,176, with out-of-state students paying around $11,064. Fire Science graduates carry a median of $15,663 in student loans. Soon after graduation, fire science degree recipients from Prairie State College generally make around $37,500. That is a strong return on a $15,663 median debt.
A rank of #3 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 moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,744 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,464. Typical student debt for fire science graduates is $11,272. 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.
A rank of #4 makes Joliet Junior College one of the best values for fire science. Set in the suburb of Joliet, Joliet Junior College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,530 in tuition and fees, compared with $13,800 for out-of-state students. Fire Science graduates carry a median of $11,995 in student loans. Soon after graduation, fire science degree recipients from Joliet Junior College generally make around $40,118. Set against $11,995 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Elgin Community College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value fire science schools. 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. Students borrow a median of $7,727 to complete the fire science program here. Soon after graduation, fire science degree recipients from Elgin Community College generally make around $43,975. That is a strong return on a $7,727 median debt.
Waubonsee Community College placed #6 among the best values for fire science. Set in the rural area of Sugar Grove, Waubonsee Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,504, with out-of-state students paying around $10,464. Typical student debt for fire science graduates is $9,939. Soon after graduation, fire science degree recipients from Waubonsee Community College generally make around $39,659. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Harper College earned the #7 position for value in fire science this year. Harper College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Palatine. Students from in state pay about $3,894 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,874. Typical student debt for fire science graduates is $10,963. 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.
College Of Dupage landed the #8 spot for fire science value this year. Set in the suburb of Glen Ellyn, College Of Dupage is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,560, while out-of-state students pay about $12,750. 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. That is a strong return on a $12,492 median debt.
College Of Lake County placed #9 among the best values for fire science. Set in the suburb of Grayslake, College Of Lake County is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,788 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $14,400. Typical student debt for fire science graduates is $9,785. Fire Science graduates of College Of Lake County earn a median of $50,314 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
John Wood Community College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value fire science schools. Located in the town of Quincy, John Wood Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,100, compared with $8,700 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,844 to complete the fire science program here. 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.
Southwestern Illinois College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value fire science schools. Set in the suburb of Belleville, Southwestern Illinois College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,230, while out-of-state students pay about $6,720. Fire Science graduates carry a median of $12,750 in student loans. 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.
Mchenry County College landed the #12 spot for fire science value this year. Mchenry County College is a large public school located in the rural area of Crystal Lake. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,162, with out-of-state students paying around $14,399. Students borrow a median of $7,440 to complete the fire science program here. Early-career fire science graduates make about $24,177. That is a strong return on a $7,440 median debt.
Illinois Central College landed the #13 spot for fire science value this year. Illinois Central College is a large public school located in the suburb of East Peoria. Students from in state pay about $4,800 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,150. Students borrow a median of $12,222 to complete the fire science program here. Early-career fire science graduates make about $53,190. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 22 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 2 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.
