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. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 97 schools to find the best return on investment for fire protection students.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the fire protection degrees they offer, see the list below.
Our analysis ranked College Of San Mateo the best value for a degree in fire protection in the Far Western Region. Set in the city of San Mateo, College Of San Mateo is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,332, with out-of-state students paying around $11,428. Students borrow a median of $12,831 to complete the fire protection program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $54,172. That is a strong return on a $12,831 median debt.
Oxnard College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in fire protection, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Oxnard, Oxnard College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,426, with out-of-state students paying around $9,615. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $41,393.
Students looking for strong value in fire protection will find it at San Diego Miramar College, which ranked #3. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego Miramar College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,146, compared with $10,002 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,098 to complete the fire protection program here. 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.
College Of The Canyons came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value fire protection schools. College Of The Canyons is a very large public school located in the suburb of Santa Clarita. In-state tuition and fees average $1,166, while out-of-state students pay about $10,958. Fire Protection graduates carry a median of $9,776 in student loans. Fire Protection graduates of College Of The Canyons earn a median of $51,913 early in their careers. Set against $9,776 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Moreno Valley College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value fire protection schools. Moreno Valley College is a large public school located in the suburb of Moreno Valley. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,428, with out-of-state students paying around $12,498. Fire Protection graduates carry a median of $12,643 in student loans. Soon after graduation, fire protection degree recipients from Moreno Valley College generally make around $45,515. Set against $12,643 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of The Sequoias earned the #6 position for value in fire protection this year. Set in the city of Visalia, College Of The Sequoias is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,394, while out-of-state students pay about $9,038. Typical student debt for fire protection graduates is $10,288. Early-career fire protection graduates make about $37,749. That is a strong return on a $10,288 median debt.
Fresno City College landed the #7 spot for fire protection value this year. Set in the city of Fresno, Fresno City College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,378, compared with $8,638 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,234 to complete the fire protection program here. Fire Protection graduates of Fresno City College earn a median of $37,470 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $7,234 median debt.
Mt San Antonio College came in at #8 for value in fire protection this year. Located in the suburb of Walnut, Mt San Antonio College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,364 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,464. Students borrow a median of $9,384 to complete the fire protection program here. Fire Protection graduates of Mt San Antonio College earn a median of $44,391 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,384 median debt.
Shasta College landed the #9 spot for fire protection value this year. Shasta College is a large public school located in the suburb of Redding. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,197, while out-of-state students pay about $8,853. Typical student debt for fire protection graduates is $12,275. Soon after graduation, fire protection degree recipients from Shasta College generally make around $50,330. That is a strong return on a $12,275 median debt.
Imperial Valley College landed the #10 spot for fire protection value this year. Set in the rural area of Imperial, Imperial Valley College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,126, with out-of-state students paying around $8,830. Students borrow a median of $6,176 to complete the fire protection program here. Early-career fire protection graduates make about $42,617. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
California State University Los Angeles placed #11 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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,164, compared with $19,764 for out-of-state students. Fire Protection graduates carry a median of $11,750 in student loans. Fire Protection graduates of California State University Los Angeles earn a median of $48,289 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Victor Valley College earned the #12 position for value in fire protection this year. Set in the suburb of Victorville, Victor Valley College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,425 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,125. Typical student debt for fire protection graduates is $7,995. Fire Protection graduates of Victor Valley College earn a median of $37,755 early in their careers. Set against $7,995 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Las Positas College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value fire protection schools. Set in the city of Livermore, Las Positas College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,168 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,808. Graduates go on to earn a median of $51,088 ten years after entry.
Santa Ana College landed the #14 spot for fire protection value this year. Set in the city of Santa Ana, Santa Ana College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,180 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,756. Students borrow a median of $14,500 to complete the fire protection program here. Early-career fire protection graduates make about $50,254. That is a strong return on a $14,500 median debt.
Clover Park Technical College placed #15 among the best values for fire protection. Clover Park Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Lakewood. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,634. Fire Protection graduates carry a median of $15,154 in student loans. Soon after graduation, fire protection degree recipients from Clover Park Technical College generally make around $42,209. That is a strong return on a $15,154 median debt.
Solano Community College placed #16 among the best values for fire protection. Solano Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Fairfield. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,172, while out-of-state students pay about $9,772. Typical student debt for fire protection graduates is $10,500. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $44,170. Set against $10,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Bates Technical College earned the #17 position for value in fire protection this year. Set in the city of Tacoma, Bates Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,027, with out-of-state students paying around $12,165. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $50,051.
Butte College came in at #18 for value in fire protection this year. Butte College is a large public school located in the rural area of Oroville. Students from in state pay about $1,356 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,276. Typical student debt for fire protection graduates is $13,302. Fire Protection graduates of Butte College earn a median of $67,048 early in their careers. Set against $13,302 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Porterville College placed #19 among the best values for fire protection. Located in the suburb of Porterville, Porterville College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,438, with out-of-state students paying around $11,308. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $36,328.
Santa Rosa Junior College came in at #20 for value in fire protection this year. Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Rosa. In-state tuition and fees average $1,318, compared with $11,308 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,692 to complete the fire protection program here. Soon after graduation, fire protection degree recipients from Santa Rosa Junior College generally make around $80,047. That is a strong return on a $14,692 median debt.
Sierra College came in at #21 for value in fire protection this year. Located in the suburb of Rocklin, Sierra College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,446. Students borrow a median of $12,733 to complete the fire protection program here. Soon after graduation, fire protection degree recipients from Sierra College generally make around $29,214. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
American River College ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value fire protection schools. Set in the suburb of Sacramento, American River College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,288 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,616 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for fire protection graduates is $14,105. Fire Protection graduates of American River College earn a median of $76,077 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,105 median debt.
Allan Hancock College ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value fire protection schools. Located in the city of Santa Maria, Allan Hancock College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,156, with out-of-state students paying around $9,892. Median earnings reach $42,786 ten years out.
El Camino Community College District came in at #24 for value in fire protection this year. Located in the suburb of Torrance, El Camino Community College District is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,144, with out-of-state students paying around $7,630. Median earnings reach $41,589 ten years out.
Mission College placed #25 among the best values for fire protection. Located in the city of Santa Clara, Mission College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,438, while out-of-state students pay about $12,500. Fire Protection graduates carry a median of $17,223 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $50,936 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s fire protection value ranking:
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 97 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 19 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.