2027 Best Value Fire Protection Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[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.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 36 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for fire protection students.
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2027 Best Value Fire Protection Schools in the Great Lakes Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in fire protection, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Fire Protection Schools
Moraine Valley Community College earned the #1 spot for value among fire protection schools in the Great Lakes Region. Moraine Valley Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Palos Hills. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,822, while out-of-state students pay about $9,846. Fire Protection graduates carry a median of $11,149 in student loans. Fire Protection graduates of Moraine Valley Community College earn a median of $43,844 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Joliet Junior College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in fire protection, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Joliet, Joliet Junior College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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.
A rank of #3 makes Lewis And Clark Community College one of the best values for fire protection. Set in the suburb of Godfrey, Lewis And Clark Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,340, compared with $7,840 for out-of-state students. Fire Protection graduates carry a median of $9,602 in student loans. Soon after graduation, fire protection degree recipients from Lewis And Clark Community College generally make around $41,313. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cincinnati State Technical And Community College earned it the #4 place for fire protection. Located in the city of Cincinnati, Cincinnati State Technical And Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,517, compared with $10,044 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for fire protection graduates is $6,125. Fire Protection graduates of Cincinnati State Technical And Community College earn a median of $91,944 early in their careers. Set against $6,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in fire protection will find it at Lincoln Land Community College, which ranked #5. Located in the rural area of Springfield, Lincoln Land Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,744 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,464 for out-of-state students. Fire Protection graduates carry a median of $11,272 in student loans. Early-career fire protection graduates make about $43,834. Set against $11,272 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Prairie State College came in at #6 for value in fire protection this year. Prairie State College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Chicago Heights. Students from in state pay about $4,176 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,064. Typical student debt for fire protection graduates is $15,663. Soon after graduation, fire protection degree recipients from Prairie State College generally make around $37,500. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lansing Community College placed #7 among the best values for fire protection. Set in the city of Lansing, Lansing Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,100, while out-of-state students pay about $11,300. Typical student debt for fire protection graduates is $16,700. Fire Protection graduates of Lansing Community College earn a median of $46,103 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Delta College landed the #8 spot for fire protection value this year. Set in the rural area of University Center, Delta College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,820, while out-of-state students pay about $7,880. Fire Protection graduates carry a median of $14,075 in student loans. Fire Protection graduates of Delta College earn a median of $37,342 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,075 median debt.
Stark State College placed #9 among the best values for fire protection. Set in the suburb of North Canton, Stark State College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,790 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,886. Fire Protection graduates carry a median of $17,349 in student loans. Soon after graduation, fire protection degree recipients from Stark State College generally make around $42,724. Set against $17,349 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Elgin Community College ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value fire protection schools. Set in the city of Elgin, Elgin Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,252 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,516. Students borrow a median of $7,727 to complete the fire protection program here. Soon after graduation, fire protection degree recipients from Elgin Community College generally make around $43,975. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Oakland Community College came in at #11 for value in fire protection this year. Set in the suburb of Auburn Hills, Oakland Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,120, compared with $5,560 for out-of-state students. Fire Protection graduates carry a median of $15,865 in student loans. Early-career fire protection graduates make about $44,178. Set against $15,865 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Sinclair Community College placed #12 among the best values for fire protection. Set in the city of Dayton, Sinclair Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,675 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,556. Fire Protection graduates carry a median of $10,950 in student loans. Fire Protection graduates of Sinclair Community College earn a median of $35,348 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,950 median debt.
Mchenry County College earned the #13 position for value in fire protection this year. Located in the rural area of Crystal Lake, Mchenry County College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,162, with out-of-state students paying around $14,399. Typical student debt for fire protection graduates is $7,440. Early-career fire protection graduates make about $24,177. That is a strong return on a $7,440 median debt.
College Of Dupage landed the #14 spot for fire protection value this year. Located in the suburb of Glen Ellyn, College Of Dupage is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,560, with out-of-state students paying around $12,750. Students borrow a median of $12,492 to complete the fire protection program here. Fire Protection graduates of College Of Dupage earn a median of $58,160 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,492 median debt.
College Of Lake County earned the #15 position for value in fire protection this year. Set in the suburb of Grayslake, College Of Lake County is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,788, while out-of-state students pay about $14,400. Typical student debt for fire protection graduates is $9,785. Soon after graduation, fire protection degree recipients from College Of Lake County generally make around $50,314. That is a strong return on a $9,785 median debt.
John Wood Community College came in at #16 for value in fire protection this year. John Wood Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Quincy. Students from in state pay about $5,100 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,700. Typical student debt for fire protection graduates is $13,844. Fire Protection graduates of John Wood Community College earn a median of $45,748 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,844 median debt.
Ivy Tech Community College came in at #17 for value in fire protection this year. Located in the city of Indianapolis, Ivy Tech Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,154 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,935. Fire Protection graduates carry a median of $11,889 in student loans. Fire Protection graduates of Ivy Tech Community College earn a median of $40,734 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,889 median debt.
Purdue University Global ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value fire protection schools. Set in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Global is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,101, with out-of-state students paying around $14,412. Typical student debt for fire protection graduates is $25,440. Fire Protection graduates of Purdue University Global earn a median of $72,687 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,440 median debt.
Columbus State Community College placed #19 among the best values for fire protection. Set in the city of Columbus, Columbus State Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,488, while out-of-state students pay about $11,224. Typical student debt for fire protection graduates is $9,041. Graduates go on to earn a median of $39,435 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $9,041 median debt.
Southwestern Illinois College landed the #20 spot for fire protection value this year. Located in the suburb of Belleville, Southwestern Illinois College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,230, while out-of-state students pay about $6,720. Students borrow a median of $12,750 to complete the fire protection program here. Early-career fire protection graduates make about $77,935. Set against $12,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Western Technical College La Cross landed the #21 spot for fire protection value this year. Western Technical College La Cross is a large public school located in the city of La Crosse. Students from in state pay about $4,820 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,078. Students borrow a median of $13,669 to complete the fire protection program here. Early-career fire protection graduates make about $43,479. Set against $13,669 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Fox Valley Technical College placed #22 among the best values for fire protection. Set in the suburb of Appleton, Fox Valley Technical College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,040 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,283. Fire Protection graduates carry a median of $10,000 in student loans. Early-career fire protection graduates make about $44,020. Set against $10,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Harper College earned the #23 position for value in fire protection this year. Set in the suburb of Palatine, Harper College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,894, with out-of-state students paying around $11,874. Typical student debt for fire protection graduates is $10,963. Soon after graduation, fire protection degree recipients from Harper College generally make around $44,523. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Waubonsee Community College landed the #24 spot for fire protection value this year. Set in the rural area of Sugar Grove, Waubonsee Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,504, while out-of-state students pay about $10,464. Students borrow a median of $9,939 to complete the fire protection program here. Early-career fire protection graduates make about $39,659. Set against $9,939 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Clark State Community College earned the #25 position for value in fire protection this year. Set in the city of Springfield, Clark State Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,393, compared with $8,049 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,740 to complete the fire protection program here. Fire Protection graduates of Clark State Community College earn a median of $39,734 early in their careers. Set against $20,740 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rest of the Top 36 Best Value Fire Protection Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for fire protection this year:
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Notes and References
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 · 36 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 36 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.
