2026 Best Value Fire Science Schools in the Rocky Mountains 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 20 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value fire science schools.
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2026 Best Value Fire Science Schools in the Rocky Mountains 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
Colorado Mountain College tops our 2026 list of the best value fire science schools in the Rocky Mountains Region. Located in the town of Glenwood Springs, Colorado Mountain College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,616, compared with $12,840 for out-of-state students. Fire Science graduates carry a median of $12,953 in student loans. Early-career fire science graduates make about $48,694. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Community College Of Aurora is a great value for students pursuing a degree in fire science, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Aurora, Community College Of Aurora is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,470, while out-of-state students pay about $17,070. Students borrow a median of $15,365 to complete the fire science program here. Early-career fire science graduates make about $38,587. Set against $15,365 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #3 makes Utah Valley University one of the best values for fire science. Located in the city of Orem, Utah Valley University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,507, with out-of-state students paying around $18,489. Typical student debt for fire science graduates is $15,203. Soon after graduation, fire science degree recipients from Utah Valley University generally make around $60,522. That is a strong return on a $15,203 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at College Of Western Idaho earned it the #4 place for fire science. Set in the rural area of Nampa, College Of Western Idaho is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,446, while out-of-state students pay about $7,454. Students borrow a median of $12,497 to complete the fire science program here. Soon after graduation, fire science degree recipients from College Of Western Idaho generally make around $40,963.
A rank of #5 makes Casper College one of the best values for fire science. Located in the city of Casper, Casper College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,410 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,710. Students borrow a median of $12,598 to complete the fire science program here. Fire Science graduates of Casper College earn a median of $49,729 early in their careers. Set against $12,598 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Bridgerland Technical College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value fire science schools. Set in the city of Logan, Bridgerland Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete the fire science program here. Fire Science graduates of Bridgerland Technical College earn a median of $28,884 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,000 median debt.
Red Rocks Community College came in at #7 for value in fire science this year. Located in the suburb of Lakewood, Red Rocks Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,859, with out-of-state students paying around $17,459. Students borrow a median of $14,471 to complete the fire science program here. Soon after graduation, fire science degree recipients from Red Rocks Community College generally make around $76,340. Set against $14,471 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Aims Community College earned the #8 position for value in fire science this year. Located in the city of Greeley, Aims Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,258, with out-of-state students paying around $11,786. Typical student debt for fire science graduates is $9,750. Early-career fire science graduates make about $44,470. Set against $9,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Pikes Peak Community College earned the #9 position for value in fire science this year. Located in the suburb of Colorado Springs, Pikes Peak Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,510, while out-of-state students pay about $17,110. Typical student debt for fire science graduates is $16,066. Soon after graduation, fire science degree recipients from Pikes Peak Community College generally make around $41,037. Set against $16,066 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Pueblo Community College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value fire science schools. Set in the city of Pueblo, Pueblo Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,049, with out-of-state students paying around $17,649. Typical student debt for fire science graduates is $14,106. Fire Science graduates of Pueblo Community College earn a median of $42,377 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,106 median debt.
Davis Technical College landed the #11 spot for fire science value this year. Located in the suburb of Kaysville, Davis Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Typical student debt for fire science graduates is $6,262. Soon after graduation, fire science degree recipients from Davis Technical College generally make around $34,093. 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. 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 · 20 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 3 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.