2027 Best Value Fire Protection Bachelor’s Degree Schools
[Fire Protection](/majors/protective-security-safety-services/fire-protection/) 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 21 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value fire protection schools.
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2027 Best Value Fire Protection Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in fire protection, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Fire Protection Schools
For return on investment in fire protection, no school beat Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice this year. Set in the city of New York, Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,470, with out-of-state students paying around $15,420. 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. Set against $16,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice admits about 57% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University Los Angeles earned it the #2 place for fire protection. Located in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,164, compared with $19,764 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,750 to complete the fire protection program here. 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. California State University Los Angeles admits about 91% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in fire protection will find it at University Of Florida Online, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida Online is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. The acceptance rate is 61%.
Fayetteville State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in fire protection, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Fayetteville, Fayetteville State University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,353 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,353. Typical student debt for fire protection graduates is $15,777. Soon after graduation, fire protection degree recipients from Fayetteville State University generally make around $67,586. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Purdue University Global came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value fire protection schools. Located in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Global is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,101, while out-of-state students pay about $14,412. Typical student debt for fire protection graduates is $29,636. Soon after graduation, fire protection degree recipients from Purdue University Global generally make around $89,622. That is a strong return on a $29,636 median debt.
California State University San Marcos placed #6 among the best values for fire protection. Located in the suburb of San Marcos, California State University San Marcos is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,082 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,682 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for fire protection graduates is $17,527. Soon after graduation, fire protection degree recipients from California State University San Marcos generally make around $48,726. Set against $17,527 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University San Marcos admits about 95% of applicants.
American Public University System placed #7 among the best values for fire protection. American Public University System is a very large private for-profit school located in the town of Charles Town. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,400. Typical student debt for fire protection graduates is $19,434. Fire Protection graduates of American Public University System earn a median of $73,302 early in their careers. Set against $19,434 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Eastern Kentucky University ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value fire protection schools. Eastern Kentucky University is a large public school located in the town of Richmond. In-state tuition and fees average $10,320, with out-of-state students paying around $21,230. Fire Protection graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career fire protection graduates make about $66,617. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Southern Illinois University Carbondale ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value fire protection schools. Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a large public school located in the town of Carbondale. In-state tuition and fees average $13,334. Students borrow a median of $17,725 to complete the fire protection program here. Early-career fire protection graduates make about $104,017. That is a strong return on a $17,725 median debt. The acceptance rate is 87%.
Western Illinois University earned the #10 position for value in fire protection this year. Located in the town of Macomb, Western Illinois University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,572. Students borrow a median of $22,723 to complete the fire protection program here. Soon after graduation, fire protection degree recipients from Western Illinois University generally make around $41,432. Set against $22,723 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh landed the #11 spot for fire protection value this year. Located in the city of Oshkosh, University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,532 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $16,446. Fire Protection graduates carry a median of $24,619 in student loans. Early-career fire protection graduates make about $50,590. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Akron Main Campus came in at #12 for value in fire protection this year. Set in the city of Akron, University Of Akron Main Campus is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,135, while out-of-state students pay about $20,815. Typical student debt for fire protection graduates is $25,750. Soon after graduation, fire protection degree recipients from University Of Akron Main Campus generally make around $49,582. Set against $25,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Akron Main Campus admits about 60% of applicants.
Columbia Southern University earned the #13 position for value in fire protection this year. Set in the town of Orange Beach, Columbia Southern University is a very large private for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,224. Fire Protection graduates carry a median of $21,248 in student loans. Soon after graduation, fire protection degree recipients from Columbia Southern University generally make around $82,718. Set against $21,248 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Metropolitan State College Of Denver earned the #14 position for value in fire protection this year. Set in the city of Denver, Metropolitan State College Of Denver is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,124, with out-of-state students paying around $30,684. Students borrow a median of $27,484 to complete the fire protection program here. Soon after graduation, fire protection degree recipients from Metropolitan State College Of Denver generally make around $44,861. Set against $27,484 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
Salem State University placed #15 among the best values for fire protection. Salem State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Salem. Students from in state pay about $12,338 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,531. Students borrow a median of $27,176 to complete the fire protection program here. Early-career fire protection graduates make about $49,656. That is a strong return on a $27,176 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.
New Jersey City University landed the #16 spot for fire protection value this year. New Jersey City University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Jersey City. In-state tuition and fees average $14,460. Fire Protection graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Early-career fire protection graduates make about $54,600. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. New Jersey City University admits about 98% of applicants.
Eastern Oregon University landed the #17 spot for fire protection value this year. Set in the town of La Grande, Eastern Oregon University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,184, while out-of-state students pay about $24,729. Fire Protection graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Fire Protection graduates of Eastern Oregon University earn a median of $58,911 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Eastern Oregon University admits about 98% of applicants.
Waldorf College ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value fire protection schools. Located in the rural area of Forest City, Waldorf College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $25,978. Typical student debt for fire protection graduates is $21,783. Fire Protection graduates of Waldorf College earn a median of $97,731 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,783 median debt. The acceptance rate is 77%.
Anna Maria College earned the #19 position for value in fire protection this year. Located in the rural area of Paxton, Anna Maria College is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $44,571 in tuition and fees. Fire Protection graduates carry a median of $22,875 in student loans. Fire Protection graduates of Anna Maria College earn a median of $81,637 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 50% of applicants are accepted.
Liberty University came in at #20 for value in fire protection this year. Liberty University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Lynchburg. In-state tuition and fees average $16,173. Typical student debt for fire protection graduates is $27,414. Soon after graduation, fire protection degree recipients from Liberty University generally make around $45,877. Set against $27,414 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Liberty University admits about 99% of applicants.
University Of New Haven earned the #21 position for value in fire protection this year. Located in the suburb of West Haven, University Of New Haven is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $47,332. Fire Protection graduates carry a median of $26,375 in student loans. Soon after graduation, fire protection degree recipients from University Of New Haven generally make around $57,392. Set against $26,375 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of New Haven admits about 60% of applicants.
Other Fire Protection Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Fire Protection rankings across degree levels:
View All Fire Protection Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 21 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 21 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.
