by our College Data Analytics TeamFire Science degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. The schools below stand out for the quality of their fire science programs.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 36 schools to find the best for fire science students.
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Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall fire science education in California.
Santa Rosa Junior College tops our 2026 ranking of the best fire science schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Santa Rosa. There were roughly 78 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. Typical student debt for the program is $14,692. More information about a degree in fire science from Santa Rosa Junior College
Shasta College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best fire science schools. Set in the suburb of Redding, Shasta College is a large public institution. Shasta College awarded about 284 fire science degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their fire science degree from Shasta College earn around $50,330 in the first couple years of their career. Shasta College graduates carry a median of $12,275 in student loans. More information about a degree in fire science from Shasta College
Students looking for a strong fire science program will find one at Butte College, which ranked #3. This large public university is located in the rural area of Oroville. About 71 fire science degrees were awarded at Butte College in the most recent year. Graduates of the fire science program make about $67,048 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $13,302. See the full fire science program report for Butte College
Modesto Junior College is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in fire science, ranking #4. Modesto Junior College is a very large public school located in the city of Modesto. About 45 fire science degrees were awarded at Modesto Junior College in the most recent year. Graduates of the fire science program make about $50,364 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $8,575 to complete this degree. Get the full fire science details for Modesto Junior College
Rio Hondo College is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in fire science, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the rural area of Whittier, Rio Hondo College is a very large public university. Rio Hondo College awarded about 74 fire science degrees in the most recent data year. Fire Science graduates of Rio Hondo College earn a median of $95,666 early in their careers. Rio Hondo College graduates carry a median of $15,510 in student loans. See the full fire science program report for Rio Hondo College
Oxnard College landed the #6 spot for fire science this year. Set in the city of Oxnard, Oxnard College is a large public institution. There were roughly 42 fire science students who graduated with this degree at Oxnard College in the most recent data year. See the full fire science program report for Oxnard College
Moreno Valley College landed the #7 spot for fire science this year. Moreno Valley College is a large public school located in the suburb of Moreno Valley. There were roughly 82 fire science students who graduated with this degree at Moreno Valley College in the most recent data 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. More information about a degree in fire science from Moreno Valley College
Palomar College came in at #8 for fire science this year. Palomar College is a very large public school located in the suburb of San Marcos. There were roughly 78 fire science students who graduated with this degree at Palomar College in the most recent data year. Read more about the fire science program at Palomar College
El Camino Community College District earned the #9 position for fire science this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Torrance. There were roughly 14 fire science students who graduated with this degree at El Camino Community College District in the most recent data year. See the full fire science program report for El Camino Community College District
Las Positas College landed the #10 spot for fire science this year. Las Positas College is a large public school located in the city of Livermore. About 28 fire science degrees were awarded at Las Positas College in the most recent year. Get the full fire science details for Las Positas College
Mission College earned the #11 position for fire science this year. Set in the city of Santa Clara, Mission College is a large public institution. Mission College awarded about 18 fire science degrees in the most recent data year. Mission College graduates carry a median of $17,223 in student loans. More information about a degree in fire science from Mission College
City College Of San Francisco came in at #12 for fire science this year. This very large public university is located in the city of San Francisco. There were roughly 12 fire science students who graduated with this degree at City College Of San Francisco in the most recent data year. Fire Science graduates of City College Of San Francisco earn a median of $100,031 early in their careers. City College Of San Francisco graduates carry a median of $10,332 in student loans. More information about a degree in fire science from City College Of San Francisco
Fresno City College came in at #13 for fire science this year. Set in the city of Fresno, Fresno City College is a very large public institution. Fresno City College awarded about 38 fire science degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their fire science degree from Fresno City College earn around $37,470 in the first couple years of their career. Fresno City College graduates carry a median of $7,234 in student loans. See the full fire science program report for Fresno City College
East Los Angeles College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best fire science schools. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Monterey Park. About 160 fire science degrees were awarded at East Los Angeles College in the most recent year. Fire Science graduates of East Los Angeles College earn a median of $33,595 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $8,180. Get the full fire science details for East Los Angeles College
Crafton Hills College earned the #15 position for fire science this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the suburb of Yucaipa. About 31 fire science degrees were awarded at Crafton Hills College in the most recent year. Fire Science graduates of Crafton Hills College earn a median of $97,976 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $23,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in fire science from Crafton Hills College
College Of The Desert placed #16 among the best fire science schools. Located in the city of Palm Desert, College Of The Desert is a large public university. There were roughly 25 fire science students who graduated with this degree at College Of The Desert in the most recent data year. Students who receive their fire science degree from College Of The Desert earn around $41,295 in the first couple years of their career. College Of The Desert graduates carry a median of $7,826 in student loans. More information about a degree in fire science from College Of The Desert
Allan Hancock College earned the #17 position for fire science this year. Set in the city of Santa Maria, Allan Hancock College is a large public institution. Allan Hancock College awarded about 60 fire science degrees in the most recent data year. Get the full fire science details for Allan Hancock College
College Of The Sequoias landed the #18 spot for fire science this year. Set in the city of Visalia, College Of The Sequoias is a large public institution. College Of The Sequoias awarded about 51 fire science degrees in the most recent data year. Fire Science graduates of College Of The Sequoias earn a median of $37,749 early in their careers. College Of The Sequoias graduates carry a median of $10,288 in student loans. More information about a degree in fire science from College Of The Sequoias
American River College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best fire science schools. Located in the suburb of Sacramento, American River College is a very large public university. American River College awarded about 40 fire science degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the fire science program make about $76,077 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $14,105. See the full fire science program report for American River College
Sierra College placed #20 among the best fire science schools. Located in the suburb of Rocklin, Sierra College is a very large public university. There were roughly 26 fire science students who graduated with this degree at Sierra College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, fire science degree recipients from Sierra College generally make around $29,214. Typical student debt for the program is $12,733. Read more about the fire science program at Sierra College
Southwestern College Chula Vista placed #21 among the best fire science schools. Located in the city of Chula Vista, Southwestern College Chula Vista is a very large public university. Southwestern College Chula Vista awarded about 30 fire science degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, fire science degree recipients from Southwestern College Chula Vista generally make around $49,358. Students borrow a median of $11,205 to complete this degree. Read more about the fire science program at Southwestern College Chula Vista
Imperial Valley College ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best fire science schools. Located in the rural area of Imperial, Imperial Valley College is a large public university. About 16 fire science degrees were awarded at Imperial Valley College in the most recent year. Students who receive their fire science degree from Imperial Valley College earn around $42,617 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $6,176 to complete this degree. Get the full fire science details for Imperial Valley College
Monterey Peninsula College placed #23 among the best fire science schools. Monterey Peninsula College is a large public school located in the suburb of Monterey. There were roughly 14 fire science students who graduated with this degree at Monterey Peninsula College in the most recent data year. Read more about the fire science program at Monterey Peninsula College
College Of The Siskiyous landed the #24 spot for fire science this year. This mid-sized public university is located in the rural area of Weed. College Of The Siskiyous awarded about 31 fire science degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their fire science degree from College Of The Siskiyous earn around $92,905 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $15,625 to complete this degree. See the full fire science program report for College Of The Siskiyous
Lake Tahoe Community College landed the #25 spot for fire science this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the rural area of South Lake Tahoe. Lake Tahoe Community College awarded about 14 fire science degrees in the most recent data year. Get the full fire science details for Lake Tahoe Community College
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 36 schools evaluated.
More about our data sources and methodologies.