2026 Best Value Fire Science Schools in Florida
[Fire Science](/majors/protective-security-safety-services/fire-protection/fire-science/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 33 schools to find the best return on investment for fire science students.
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2026 Best Value Fire Science Schools in Florida
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in fire science, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Fire Science Schools
St Petersburg College tops our 2026 list of the best value fire science schools in Florida. St Petersburg College is a very large public school located in the city of St. Petersburg. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,682, with out-of-state students paying around $9,286. Fire Science graduates carry a median of $9,557 in student loans. 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.
A rank of #2 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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,657, while out-of-state students pay about $9,631. Typical student debt for fire science graduates is $19,139. Early-career fire science graduates make about $49,810. Set against $19,139 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Gulf Coast State College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in fire science, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Panama City, Gulf Coast State College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,370, while out-of-state students pay about $8,635. Typical student debt for fire science graduates is $8,286. Early-career fire science graduates make about $49,086. Set against $8,286 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #4 makes Florida Gateway College one of the best values for fire science. Florida Gateway College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Lake City. In-state tuition and fees average $3,100, with out-of-state students paying around $11,747. Students borrow a median of $8,669 to complete the fire science program here. Early-career fire science graduates make about $41,947. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #5 makes Seminole State College Of Florida one of the best values for fire science. Set in the city of Sanford, Seminole State College Of Florida is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,122, while out-of-state students pay about $11,447. Fire Science graduates carry a median of $18,419 in student loans. Soon after graduation, fire science degree recipients from Seminole State College Of Florida generally make around $48,049. Set against $18,419 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Florida Online came in at #6 for value in fire science this year. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida Online is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,876 in tuition and fees, compared with $16,579 for out-of-state students. Fire Science graduates carry a median of $12,296 in student loans. Fire Science graduates of University Of Florida Online earn a median of $86,740 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Florida Online admits about 61% of applicants.
Hillsborough Community College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value fire science schools. Located in the city of Tampa, Hillsborough Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,491, with out-of-state students paying around $9,088. Typical student debt for fire science graduates is $14,735. Early-career fire science graduates make about $50,331. That is a strong return on a $14,735 median debt.
Indian River State College earned the #8 position for value in fire science this year. Indian River State College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fort Pierce. In-state tuition and fees average $2,764, 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.
Pasco Hernando Community College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value fire science schools. Set in the suburb of New Port Richey, Pasco Hernando Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,155, while out-of-state students pay about $12,032. Typical student debt for fire science graduates is $14,908. Soon after graduation, fire science degree recipients from Pasco Hernando Community College generally make around $53,856. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northwest Florida State College placed #10 among the best values for fire science. Northwest Florida State College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Niceville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,583, compared with $10,612 for out-of-state students. Fire Science graduates carry a median of $11,566 in student loans. Soon after graduation, fire science degree recipients from Northwest Florida State College generally make around $52,856. That is a strong return on a $11,566 median debt.
University Of Florida came in at #11 for value in fire science this year. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,381, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. Typical student debt for fire science graduates is $12,296. Fire Science graduates of University Of Florida earn a median of $86,740 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,296 median debt. University Of Florida admits about 24% of applicants.
Miami Dade College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value fire science schools. Miami Dade College is a very large public school located in the city of Miami. Students from in state pay about $2,838 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,661. Students borrow a median of $11,967 to complete the fire science program here. Fire Science graduates of Miami Dade College earn a median of $40,267 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,967 median debt.
Eastern Florida State College landed the #13 spot for fire science value this year. Set in the city of Melbourne, Eastern Florida State College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,791 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,976 for out-of-state students. Fire Science graduates carry a median of $18,123 in student loans. Fire Science graduates of Eastern Florida State College earn a median of $44,690 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,123 median debt.
Daytona State College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value fire science schools. Daytona State College is a large public school located in the city of Daytona Beach. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,106, while out-of-state students pay about $11,994. Typical student debt for fire science graduates is $6,945. Fire Science graduates of Daytona State College earn a median of $42,696 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $6,945 median debt.
Edison State College landed the #15 spot for fire science value this year. Edison State College is a large public school located in the suburb of Fort Myers. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,401, while out-of-state students pay about $12,979. Fire Science graduates carry a median of $13,356 in student loans. Early-career fire science graduates make about $52,597. Set against $13,356 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Marion Technical College Ocala earned the #16 position for value in fire science this year. Set in the city of Ocala, Marion Technical College Ocala is a small public institution. Fire Science graduates carry a median of $8,750 in student loans. Fire Science graduates of Marion Technical College Ocala earn a median of $37,678 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Tallahassee Community College came in at #17 for value in fire science this year. Set in the city of Tallahassee, Tallahassee Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,026, compared with $8,062 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,340 to complete the fire science program here. Fire Science graduates of Tallahassee Community College earn a median of $40,594 early in their careers. Set against $16,340 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Manatee Technical College earned the #18 position for value in fire science this year. Manatee Technical College is a small public school located in the suburb of Bradenton. Typical student debt for fire science graduates is $9,726. Early-career fire science graduates make about $38,735. That is a strong return on a $9,726 median debt.
Palm Beach State College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value fire science schools. Palm Beach State College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Lake Worth. Students from in state pay about $3,050 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,910. Students borrow a median of $18,971 to complete the fire science program here. Fire Science graduates of Palm Beach State College earn a median of $46,698 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
William T Mcfatter Technical College came in at #20 for value in fire science this year. Located in the suburb of Davie, William T Mcfatter Technical College is a small public university. Typical student debt for fire science graduates is $9,500. Soon after graduation, fire science degree recipients from William T Mcfatter Technical College generally make around $28,512. That is a strong return on a $9,500 median debt.
Valencia College came in at #21 for value in fire science this year. Located in the city of Orlando, Valencia College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,664, while out-of-state students pay about $9,576. Fire Science graduates carry a median of $8,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, fire science degree recipients from Valencia College generally make around $45,657. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
First Coast Technical College placed #22 among the best values for fire science. First Coast Technical College is a small public school located in the suburb of Saint Augustine. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $33,784.
George Stone Technical Center ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value fire science schools. Located in the suburb of Pensacola, George Stone Technical Center is a small public university. Soon after graduation, fire science degree recipients from George Stone Technical Center generally make around $39,560.
Charlotte Technical College came in at #24 for value in fire science this year. Set in the suburb of Port Charlotte, Charlotte Technical College is a small public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,110, compared with $12,110 for out-of-state students. Fire Science graduates carry a median of $9,875 in student loans. Soon after graduation, fire science degree recipients from Charlotte Technical College generally make around $36,503. That is a strong return on a $9,875 median debt.
Fort Myers Technical College came in at #25 for value in fire science this year. Located in the city of Fort Myers, Fort Myers Technical College is a small public university. Soon after graduation, fire science degree recipients from Fort Myers Technical College generally make around $47,397.
Rest of the Top 29 Best Value Fire Science Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for fire science this year:
More Fire Science Rankings
View All Fire Science Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 33 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.
