2027 Best Value Fire Science Schools in the Southeast Region
[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.
College Factual analyzed 42 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 Southeast Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in fire science, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Fire Science Schools
St Petersburg College earned the #1 spot for value among fire science schools in the Southeast Region. St Petersburg College is a very large public school located in the city of St. Petersburg. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,682, compared with $9,286 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,557 to complete the fire science program here. Soon after graduation, fire science degree recipients from St Petersburg College generally make around $55,829. That is a strong return on a $9,557 median debt.
Indian River State College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in fire science, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Fort Pierce, Indian River State College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,764 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,201. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the fire science program here. Fire Science graduates of Indian River State College earn a median of $47,206 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.
A rank of #3 makes Chipola College one of the best values for fire science. Set in the town of Marianna, Chipola College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,120, compared with $8,950 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,097 to complete the fire science program here. Soon after graduation, fire science degree recipients from Chipola College generally make around $43,599. That is a strong return on a $9,097 median debt.
Hillsborough Community College came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value fire science schools. Hillsborough Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Tampa. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,491, compared with $9,088 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,735 to complete the fire science program here. Soon after graduation, fire science degree recipients from Hillsborough Community College generally make around $50,331. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #5 makes Florida State College At Jacksonville one of the best values for fire science. Located in the city of Jacksonville, Florida State College At Jacksonville is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,657 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,631 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,139 to complete the fire science program here. Early-career fire science graduates make about $49,810. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northwest Florida State College ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value fire science schools. Located in the suburb of Niceville, Northwest Florida State College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $2,583 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,612. Fire Science graduates carry a median of $11,566 in student loans. Fire Science graduates of Northwest Florida State College earn a median of $52,856 early in their careers. Set against $11,566 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Florida Online came in at #7 for value in fire science this year. University Of Florida Online is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Gainesville. In-state tuition and fees average $3,876, with out-of-state students paying around $16,579. Students borrow a median of $12,296 to complete the fire science program here. Soon after graduation, fire science degree recipients from University Of Florida Online generally make around $86,740. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 61%.
South Florida State College came in at #8 for value in fire science this year. Located in the suburb of Avon Park, South Florida State College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,165, while out-of-state students pay about $11,859. Fire Science graduates carry a median of $8,204 in student loans. Fire Science graduates of South Florida State College earn a median of $42,415 early in their careers. Set against $8,204 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Gulf Coast State College ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value fire science schools. Set in the city of Panama City, Gulf Coast State College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,370, while out-of-state students pay about $8,635. Fire Science graduates carry a median of $8,286 in student loans. Early-career fire science graduates make about $49,086. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Black River Technical College came in at #10 for value in fire science this year. Located in the town of Pocahontas, Black River Technical College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,776, with out-of-state students paying around $7,488. Fire Science graduates carry a median of $12,420 in student loans. Fire Science graduates of Black River Technical College earn a median of $41,888 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Pasco Hernando Community College landed the #11 spot for fire science value this year. Located in the suburb of New Port Richey, Pasco Hernando Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,155, with out-of-state students paying around $12,032. Students borrow a median of $14,908 to complete the fire science program here. Fire Science graduates of Pasco Hernando Community College earn a median of $53,856 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Miami Dade College earned the #12 position for value in fire science this year. Miami Dade College is a very large public school located in the city of Miami. In-state tuition and fees average $2,838, with out-of-state students paying around $9,661. Fire Science graduates carry a median of $11,967 in student loans. Early-career fire science graduates make about $40,267. That is a strong return on a $11,967 median debt.
Manatee Technical College came in at #13 for value in fire science this year. Manatee Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Bradenton. Fire Science graduates carry a median of $9,726 in student loans. Fire Science graduates of Manatee Technical College earn a median of $38,735 early in their careers. Set against $9,726 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Florida Gateway College earned the #14 position for value in fire science this year. Located in the town of Lake City, Florida Gateway College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,100, while out-of-state students pay about $11,747. Typical student debt for fire science graduates is $8,669. Fire Science graduates of Florida Gateway College earn a median of $41,947 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
J Sargeant Reynolds Community College ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value fire science schools. Located in the suburb of Richmond, J Sargeant Reynolds Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,280 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,718. Students borrow a median of $16,131 to complete the fire science program here. Soon after graduation, fire science degree recipients from J Sargeant Reynolds Community College generally make around $36,965. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Albany Technical College earned the #16 position for value in fire science this year. Set in the city of Albany, Albany Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,364, while out-of-state students pay about $5,932. Fire Science graduates carry a median of $16,321 in student loans. Fire Science graduates of Albany Technical College earn a median of $35,895 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,321 median debt.
Madisonville Community College placed #17 among the best values for fire science. Set in the town of Madisonville, Madisonville Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,728, with out-of-state students paying around $6,432. Fire Science graduates carry a median of $10,985 in student loans. Early-career fire science graduates make about $41,084. Set against $10,985 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Florida landed the #18 spot for fire science value this year. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,381, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. Students borrow a median of $12,296 to complete the fire science program here. Soon after graduation, fire science degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $86,740. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Florida admits about 24% of applicants.
Gateway Community And Technical College ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value fire science schools. Located in the suburb of Florence, Gateway Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,728, compared with $6,432 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,611 to complete the fire science program here. Early-career fire science graduates make about $46,993. Set against $11,611 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Bluegrass Community And Technical College earned the #20 position for value in fire science this year. Located in the city of Lexington, Bluegrass Community And Technical College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,808, while out-of-state students pay about $6,512. Fire Science graduates carry a median of $13,366 in student loans. Fire Science graduates of Bluegrass Community And Technical College earn a median of $44,431 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Eastern Florida State College landed the #21 spot for fire science value this year. Set in the city of Melbourne, Eastern Florida State College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,791, compared with $10,976 for out-of-state students. Fire Science graduates carry a median of $18,123 in student loans. Early-career fire science graduates make about $44,690. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Meridian Community College ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value fire science schools. Located in the town of Meridian, Meridian Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,078, with out-of-state students paying around $6,478. Typical student debt for fire science graduates is $10,368. Fire Science graduates of Meridian Community College earn a median of $34,846 early in their careers. Set against $10,368 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Edison State College came in at #23 for value in fire science this year. Set in the suburb of Fort Myers, Edison State College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,401, with out-of-state students paying around $12,979. Students borrow a median of $13,356 to complete the fire science program here. Early-career fire science graduates make about $52,597. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Daytona State College came in at #24 for value in fire science this year. Set in the city of Daytona Beach, Daytona State College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,106 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,994 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $6,945 to complete the fire science program here. Early-career fire science graduates make about $42,696. Set against $6,945 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Tallahassee Community College placed #25 among the best values for fire science. Located in the city of Tallahassee, Tallahassee Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,026 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,062. Typical student debt for fire science graduates is $16,340. Soon after graduation, fire science degree recipients from Tallahassee Community College generally make around $40,594. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rest of the Top 42 Best Value Fire Science Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for fire science this year:
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 42 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 42 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.
