2027 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. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 28 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value fire science schools.
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2027 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
For return on investment in fire science, no school beat St Petersburg College this year. Set in the city of St. Petersburg, St Petersburg College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,682, while out-of-state students pay about $9,286. Fire Science graduates carry a median of $9,557 in student loans. Fire Science graduates of St Petersburg College earn a median of $55,829 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Chipola College came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value fire science schools. Set in the town of Marianna, Chipola College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,120, compared with $8,950 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for fire science graduates is $9,097. Fire Science graduates of Chipola College earn a median of $43,599 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in fire science will find it at Indian River State College, which ranked #3. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $10,201. Fire Science graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, fire science degree recipients from Indian River State College generally make around $47,206. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Hillsborough Community College came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value fire science schools. Set in the city of Tampa, Hillsborough Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,491 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,088 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for fire science graduates is $14,735. Fire Science graduates of Hillsborough Community College earn a median of $50,331 early in their careers. Set against $14,735 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Florida State College At Jacksonville is a great value for students pursuing a degree in fire science, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Jacksonville, Florida State College At Jacksonville is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,657, with out-of-state students paying around $9,631. Students borrow a median of $19,139 to complete the fire science program here. Early-career fire science graduates make about $49,810. That is a strong return on a $19,139 median debt.
Northwest Florida State College came in at #6 for value in fire science this year. Located in the suburb of Niceville, Northwest Florida State College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,583, compared with $10,612 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,566 to complete the fire science program here. 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.
South Florida State College landed the #7 spot for fire science value this year. South Florida State College is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Avon Park. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,165, compared with $11,859 for out-of-state students. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Florida Online landed the #8 spot for fire science value this year. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida Online is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,876, with out-of-state students paying around $16,579. Typical student debt for fire science graduates is $12,296. Soon after graduation, fire science degree recipients from University Of Florida Online generally make around $86,740. Set against $12,296 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.
Gulf Coast State College landed the #9 spot for fire science value this year. Located in the city of Panama City, Gulf Coast State College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,370, with out-of-state students paying around $8,635. Typical student debt for fire science graduates is $8,286. Soon after graduation, fire science degree recipients from Gulf Coast State College generally make around $49,086. That is a strong return on a $8,286 median debt.
Manatee Technical College earned the #10 position for value in fire science this year. Manatee Technical College is a mid-sized 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Miami Dade College placed #11 among the best values for fire science. Located in the city of Miami, Miami Dade College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,838, with out-of-state students paying around $9,661. Typical student debt for fire science graduates is $11,967. Soon after graduation, fire science degree recipients from Miami Dade College generally make around $40,267. That is a strong return on a $11,967 median debt.
Pasco Hernando Community College placed #12 among the best values for fire science. Pasco Hernando Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of New Port Richey. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,155, compared with $12,032 for out-of-state students. 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. That is a strong return on a $14,908 median debt.
Florida Gateway College landed the #13 spot for fire science value this year. Set in the town of Lake City, Florida Gateway College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,100, compared with $11,747 for out-of-state students. Fire Science graduates carry a median of $8,669 in student loans. Early-career fire science graduates make about $41,947. Set against $8,669 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Florida ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value fire science schools. 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. Fire Science graduates carry a median of $12,296 in student loans. 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.
Eastern Florida State College placed #15 among the best values for fire science. Located in the city of Melbourne, Eastern Florida State College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,791, with out-of-state students paying around $10,976. Students borrow a median of $18,123 to complete the fire science program here. Fire Science graduates of Eastern Florida State College earn a median of $44,690 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Daytona State College landed the #16 spot for fire science value this year. Set in the city of Daytona Beach, Daytona State College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,106, compared with $11,994 for out-of-state students. Fire Science graduates carry a median of $6,945 in student loans. Soon after graduation, fire science degree recipients from Daytona State College generally make around $42,696. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Edison State College earned the #17 position for value in fire science 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, compared with $12,979 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for fire science graduates is $13,356. Soon after graduation, fire science degree recipients from Edison State College generally make around $52,597. That is a strong return on a $13,356 median debt.
Tallahassee Community College ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value fire science schools. Tallahassee Community College is a large public school located in the city of Tallahassee. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,026, while out-of-state students pay about $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.
Seminole State College Of Florida earned the #19 position for value in fire science this year. Located in the city of Sanford, Seminole State College Of Florida is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,122, compared with $11,447 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for fire science graduates is $18,419. Early-career fire science graduates make about $48,049. Set against $18,419 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Charlotte Technical College placed #20 among the best values for fire science. Set in the suburb of Port Charlotte, Charlotte Technical College is a small public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,110, with out-of-state students paying around $12,110. Typical student debt for fire science graduates is $9,875. Early-career fire science graduates make about $36,503. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Palm Beach State College landed the #21 spot for fire science value this year. Set in the suburb of Lake Worth, Palm Beach State College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,050 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,910. Fire Science graduates carry a median of $18,971 in student loans. Soon after graduation, fire science degree recipients from Palm Beach State College generally make around $46,698. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Marion Technical College Ocala placed #22 among the best values for fire science. Located in the city of Ocala, Marion Technical College Ocala is a small public university. Students borrow a median of $8,750 to complete the fire science program here. Early-career fire science graduates make about $37,678. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Valencia College landed the #23 spot for fire science value this year. Located in the city of Orlando, Valencia College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,664, with out-of-state students paying around $9,576. Fire Science graduates carry a median of $8,000 in student loans. Fire Science graduates of Valencia College earn a median of $45,657 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
First Coast Technical College earned the #24 position for value in fire science this year. Set in the suburb of Saint Augustine, First Coast Technical College is a small public institution. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $33,784.
William T Mcfatter Technical College came in at #25 for value in fire science this year. Set in the suburb of Davie, William T Mcfatter Technical College is a small public institution. Fire Science graduates carry a median of $9,500 in student loans. Fire Science graduates of William T Mcfatter Technical College earn a median of $28,512 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rest of the Top 28 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
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 28 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 28 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.
