2027 Best Fire Science Associate’s Degree Schools
Fire Science degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.
For its 2027 ranking, College Factual looked at 62 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for fire science students pursuing a degree.
What’s on this page:
Best Schools for Fire Science in the United States
See the highest-ranked fire science schools offering a associate’s degree below.
Top Schools in Fire Science
Our analysis ranked Harper College the best school in the country for a degree in fire science. Set in the suburb of Palatine, Harper College is a very large public institution. There were roughly 22 fire science students who graduated with this degree at Harper College in the most recent data year. Fire Science graduates of Harper College earn a median of $44,523 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $10,963.
Read more about the fire science program at Harper College
Santa Rosa Junior College is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in fire science, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Santa Rosa, Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public university. There were roughly 77 fire science students who graduated with this degree at Santa Rosa Junior College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the fire science program make about $80,047 in their early career. Santa Rosa Junior College graduates carry a median of $14,692 in student loans.
More information about a degree in fire science from Santa Rosa Junior College
Students looking for a strong fire science program will find one at Madison Area Technical College, which ranked #3. This large public university is located in the city of Madison. Madison Area Technical College awarded about 10 fire science degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, fire science degree recipients from Madison Area Technical College generally make around $44,279. Madison Area Technical College graduates carry a median of $16,812 in student loans.
Read more about the fire science program at Madison Area Technical College
Western Technical College La Cross is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in fire science, ranking #4. This large public university is located in the city of La Crosse. Western Technical College La Cross awarded about 16 fire science degrees in the most recent data year. Fire Science graduates of Western Technical College La Cross earn a median of $43,479 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $13,669 to complete this degree.
Get the full fire science details for Western Technical College La Cross
Students looking for a strong fire science program will find one at Cincinnati State Technical And Community College, which ranked #5. This large public university is located in the city of Cincinnati. Cincinnati State Technical And Community College awarded about 10 fire science degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their fire science degree from Cincinnati State Technical And Community College earn around $91,944 in the first couple years of their career. Cincinnati State Technical And Community College graduates carry a median of $6,125 in student loans.
Read more about the fire science program at Cincinnati State Technical And Community College
Rio Hondo College placed #6 among the best fire science schools. Set in the rural area of Whittier, Rio Hondo College is a very large public institution. Rio Hondo College awarded about 86 fire science degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the fire science program make about $95,666 in their early career. Rio Hondo College graduates carry a median of $15,510 in student loans.
See the full fire science program report for Rio Hondo College
Fox Valley Technical College landed the #7 spot for fire science this year. Fox Valley Technical College is a large public school located in the suburb of Appleton. About 26 fire science degrees were awarded at Fox Valley Technical College in the most recent year. Graduates of the fire science program make about $44,020 in their early career. Fox Valley Technical College graduates carry a median of $10,000 in student loans.
Read more about the fire science program at Fox Valley Technical College
Lone Star College System earned the #8 position for fire science this year. Lone Star College System is a very large public school located in the city of The Woodlands. About 34 fire science degrees were awarded at Lone Star College System in the most recent year. Fire Science graduates of Lone Star College System earn a median of $39,954 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $10,425 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in fire science from Lone Star College System
Columbia Southern University placed #9 among the best fire science schools. This very large private for-profit university is located in the town of Orange Beach. Columbia Southern University graduates 26% of students within six years. There were roughly 687 fire science students who graduated with this degree at Columbia Southern University in the most recent data year. Fire Science graduates of Columbia Southern University earn a median of $75,326 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $10,500 to complete this degree.
Get the full fire science details for Columbia Southern University
Des Moines Area Community College came in at #10 for fire science this year. Set in the suburb of Ankeny, Des Moines Area Community College is a very large public institution. Des Moines Area Community College awarded about 10 fire science degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the fire science program make about $43,121 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $14,956 to complete this degree.
Get the full fire science details for Des Moines Area Community College
Johnson County Community College placed #11 among the best fire science schools. Located in the city of Overland Park, Johnson County Community College is a very large public university. There were roughly 14 fire science students who graduated with this degree at Johnson County Community College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their fire science degree from Johnson County Community College earn around $46,473 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $13,532.
See the full fire science program report for Johnson County Community College
Moreno Valley College placed #12 among the best fire science schools. Located in the suburb of Moreno Valley, Moreno Valley College is a very large public university. About 27 fire science degrees were awarded at Moreno Valley College in the most recent year. Students who receive their fire science degree from Moreno Valley College earn around $45,515 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $12,643.
Read more about the fire science program at Moreno Valley College
El Camino Community College District came in at #13 for fire science this year. El Camino Community College District is a very large public school located in the suburb of Torrance. About 40 fire science degrees were awarded at El Camino Community College District in the most recent year.
Read more about the fire science program at El Camino Community College District
College Of Lake County earned the #14 position for fire science this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Grayslake. There were roughly 13 fire science students who graduated with this degree at College Of Lake County in the most recent data year. Fire Science graduates of College Of Lake County earn a median of $50,314 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $9,785.
More information about a degree in fire science from College Of Lake County
Massasoit Community College placed #15 among the best fire science schools. Located in the suburb of Brockton, Massasoit Community College is a moderately-sized public university. About 21 fire science degrees were awarded at Massasoit Community College in the most recent year. Graduates of the fire science program make about $42,938 in their early career. Massasoit Community College graduates carry a median of $10,894 in student loans.
See the full fire science program report for Massasoit Community College
Volunteer State Community College ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best fire science schools. Located in the suburb of Gallatin, Volunteer State Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Volunteer State Community College awarded about 47 fire science degrees in the most recent data year. Fire Science graduates of Volunteer State Community College earn a median of $40,137 early in their careers. Volunteer State Community College graduates carry a median of $12,462 in student loans.
See the full fire science program report for Volunteer State Community College
Modesto Junior College ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best fire science schools. Set in the city of Modesto, Modesto Junior College is a very large public institution. Modesto Junior College awarded about 40 fire science degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their fire science degree from Modesto Junior College earn around $50,364 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $8,575 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in fire science from Modesto Junior College
Waubonsee Community College landed the #18 spot for fire science this year. Waubonsee Community College is a large public school located in the rural area of Sugar Grove. About 18 fire science degrees were awarded at Waubonsee Community College in the most recent year. Graduates of the fire science program make about $39,659 in their early career. Waubonsee Community College graduates carry a median of $9,939 in student loans.
Read more about the fire science program at Waubonsee Community College
College Of Southern Nevada came in at #19 for fire science this year. Located in the city of Las Vegas, College Of Southern Nevada is a very large public university. College Of Southern Nevada awarded about 34 fire science degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, fire science degree recipients from College Of Southern Nevada generally make around $35,850. College Of Southern Nevada graduates carry a median of $9,980 in student loans.
Get the full fire science details for College Of Southern Nevada
Joliet Junior College placed #20 among the best fire science schools. Located in the suburb of Joliet, Joliet Junior College is a very large public university. There were roughly 15 fire science students who graduated with this degree at Joliet Junior College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the fire science program make about $40,118 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $11,995.
Read more about the fire science program at Joliet Junior College
Palomar College earned the #21 position for fire science this year. Set in the suburb of San Marcos, Palomar College is a very large public institution. Palomar College awarded about 72 fire science degrees in the most recent data year.
See the full fire science program report for Palomar College
Bristol Community College came in at #22 for fire science this year. Located in the suburb of Fall River, Bristol Community College is a large public university. Bristol Community College awarded about 18 fire science degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, fire science degree recipients from Bristol Community College generally make around $37,897. Typical student debt for the program is $9,482.
See the full fire science program report for Bristol Community College
Valencia College ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best fire science schools. Located in the city of Orlando, Valencia College is a very large public university. About 148 fire science degrees were awarded at Valencia College in the most recent year. Fire Science graduates of Valencia College earn a median of $45,657 early in their careers. Valencia College graduates carry a median of $8,000 in student loans.
See the full fire science program report for Valencia College
Oxnard College earned the #24 position for fire science this year. Located in the city of Oxnard, Oxnard College is a large public university. Oxnard College awarded about 14 fire science degrees in the most recent data year.
See the full fire science program report for Oxnard College
Century College ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best fire science schools. Set in the suburb of White Bear Lake, Century College is a large public institution. About 15 fire science degrees were awarded at Century College in the most recent year. Fire Science graduates of Century College earn a median of $47,502 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $21,332.
Read more about the fire science program at Century College
Rest of the Top 50 Fire Science Schools
These schools also placed among the best for fire science this year:
Other Fire Science Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare Fire Science rankings across degree levels:
View All Fire Science Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 62 schools evaluated.
- 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.
