by our College Data Analytics Team
[Fire Protection](/majors/protective-security-safety-services/fire-protection/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong fire protection education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 230 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for fire protection students.
What’s on this page:
Where you study fire protection affects both what you pay and what you earn. That is why we built our Best Value Fire Protection Schools ranking. It weighs the cost of a degree against the outcomes graduates go on to achieve, so you can find the strongest return on your investment.
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value Fire Protection Schools list, to help you choose. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
Want to compare schools head to head? Try our College Combat tool to weigh the factors that matter most to you.
Learn more about our methodology
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the fire protection degrees they offer, see the list below.
For return on investment in fire protection, no school beat College Of San Mateo this year. Located in the city of San Mateo, College Of San Mateo is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,332 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,428 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for fire protection graduates is $12,831. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $54,172. That is a strong return on a $12,831 median debt.
St Petersburg College came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value fire protection schools. Set in the city of St. Petersburg, St Petersburg College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,682 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,286. Students borrow a median of $9,557 to complete the fire protection program here. Fire Protection graduates of St Petersburg College earn a median of $55,829 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,557 median debt.
College Of The Mainland came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value fire protection schools. Located in the city of Texas City, College Of The Mainland is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,310, with out-of-state students paying around $4,140. Students borrow a median of $10,928 to complete the fire protection program here. Fire Protection graduates of College Of The Mainland earn a median of $40,788 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,928 median debt.
Oxnard College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in fire protection, landing the #4 spot this year. Oxnard College is a large public school located in the city of Oxnard. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,426, while out-of-state students pay about $9,615. Graduates go on to earn a median of $41,393 ten years after entry.
A rank of #5 makes Moraine Valley Community College one of the best values for fire protection. Set in the suburb of Palos Hills, Moraine Valley Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,822, while out-of-state students pay about $9,846. Students borrow a median of $11,149 to complete the fire protection program here. Early-career fire protection graduates make about $43,844. That is a strong return on a $11,149 median debt.
Joliet Junior College ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value fire protection schools. Located in the suburb of Joliet, Joliet Junior College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,530, with out-of-state students paying around $13,800. Typical student debt for fire protection graduates is $11,995. Soon after graduation, fire protection degree recipients from Joliet Junior College generally make around $40,118. That is a strong return on a $11,995 median debt.
Yuba College placed #7 among the best values for fire protection. Set in the suburb of Marysville, Yuba College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,128, while out-of-state students pay about $8,208. Students borrow a median of $8,729 to complete the fire protection program here. Early-career fire protection graduates make about $89,816. That is a strong return on a $8,729 median debt.
Shasta College placed #8 among the best values for fire protection. Located in the suburb of Redding, Shasta College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,197, compared with $8,853 for out-of-state students. Fire Protection graduates carry a median of $12,275 in student loans. Fire Protection graduates of Shasta College earn a median of $50,330 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice came in at #9 for value in fire protection this year. Set in the city of New York, Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,470 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,420 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,500 to complete the fire protection program here. Soon after graduation, fire protection degree recipients from Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice generally make around $48,121. That is a strong return on a $16,500 median debt. Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice admits about 57% of applicants.
College Of The Sequoias landed the #10 spot for fire protection value this year. Located in the city of Visalia, College Of The Sequoias is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,394 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,038 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for fire protection graduates is $10,288. Fire Protection graduates of College Of The Sequoias earn a median of $37,749 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,288 median debt.
San Diego Miramar College earned the #11 position for value in fire protection this year. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego Miramar College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,146, while out-of-state students pay about $10,002. Fire Protection graduates carry a median of $8,098 in student loans. Soon after graduation, fire protection degree recipients from San Diego Miramar College generally make around $41,038. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
California State University Los Angeles placed #12 among the best values for fire protection. California State University Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. In-state tuition and fees average $7,164, compared with $19,764 for out-of-state students. Fire Protection graduates carry a median of $11,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, fire protection degree recipients from California State University Los Angeles generally make around $48,289. Set against $11,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Indian River State College landed the #13 spot for fire protection value this year. Set in the suburb of Fort Pierce, Indian River State College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,764, compared with $10,201 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the fire protection program here. Soon after graduation, fire protection degree recipients from Indian River State College generally make around $47,206. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.
College Of The Canyons earned the #14 position for value in fire protection this year. Located in the suburb of Santa Clarita, College Of The Canyons is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,166, compared with $10,958 for out-of-state students. Fire Protection graduates carry a median of $9,776 in student loans. Soon after graduation, fire protection degree recipients from College Of The Canyons generally make around $51,913. Set against $9,776 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lewis And Clark Community College landed the #15 spot for fire protection value this year. Set in the suburb of Godfrey, Lewis And Clark Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,340, compared with $7,840 for out-of-state students. Fire Protection graduates carry a median of $9,602 in student loans. Early-career fire protection graduates make about $41,313. That is a strong return on a $9,602 median debt.
Modesto Junior College earned the #16 position for value in fire protection this year. Located in the city of Modesto, Modesto Junior College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,282, while out-of-state students pay about $9,264. Students borrow a median of $8,575 to complete the fire protection program here. Fire Protection graduates of Modesto Junior College earn a median of $50,364 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,575 median debt.
Tarrant County College District came in at #17 for value in fire protection this year. Set in the city of Fort Worth, Tarrant County College District is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,863, with out-of-state students paying around $8,370. Typical student debt for fire protection graduates is $15,148. Early-career fire protection graduates make about $45,158. That is a strong return on a $15,148 median debt.
Florida State College At Jacksonville ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value fire protection schools. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $9,631. Typical student debt for fire protection graduates is $19,139. Soon after graduation, fire protection degree recipients from Florida State College At Jacksonville generally make around $49,810. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Chipola College earned the #19 position for value in fire protection this year. Set in the town of Marianna, Chipola College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,120 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,950 for out-of-state students. Fire Protection graduates carry a median of $9,097 in student loans. Soon after graduation, fire protection degree recipients from Chipola College generally make around $43,599. Set against $9,097 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Del Mar College came in at #20 for value in fire protection this year. Set in the city of Corpus Christi, Del Mar College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,500, while out-of-state students pay about $6,050. Fire Protection graduates carry a median of $7,476 in student loans. Soon after graduation, fire protection degree recipients from Del Mar College generally make around $40,661. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Florida Online placed #21 among the best values for fire protection. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida Online is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,876, compared with $16,579 for out-of-state students. Fire Protection graduates carry a median of $12,296 in student loans. Early-career fire protection graduates make about $86,740. That is a strong return on a $12,296 median debt. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.
Hillsborough Community College earned the #22 position for value in fire protection this year. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $9,088. Fire Protection graduates carry a median of $14,735 in student loans. Fire Protection 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.
Santa Ana College placed #23 among the best values for fire protection. Located in the city of Santa Ana, Santa Ana College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,180, compared with $10,756 for out-of-state students. Fire Protection graduates carry a median of $14,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, fire protection degree recipients from Santa Ana College generally make around $50,254. Set against $14,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northwest Florida State College placed #24 among the best values for fire protection. Northwest Florida State College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Niceville. 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 protection program here. Early-career fire protection graduates make about $52,856. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
El Paso Community College placed #25 among the best values for fire protection. Located in the city of El Paso, El Paso Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,274, compared with $5,314 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for fire protection graduates is $8,542. Early-career fire protection graduates make about $29,086. That is a strong return on a $8,542 median debt.
These schools also delivered strong value for fire protection this year:
Explore other best-value rankings in majors related to Fire Protection. See all related rankings.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Fire Science/Fire-fighting | 9,286 |
| Fire Prevention and Safety Technology/Technician | 3,360 |
| Fire Services Administration | 1,931 |
| Wildland/Forest Firefighting and Investigation | 156 |
| Fire Systems Technology | 49 |
| Fire Protection, Other | 35 |
| Fire/Arson Investigation and Prevention | 30 |
View All Fire Protection Concentrations >
This ranking is produced 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 · 230 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 230 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.