by our College Data Analytics Team
[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.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 32 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for fire protection students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in fire protection, balancing cost against outcomes.
Leading the list is Stark State College, our #1 best value for fire protection in Ohio. Stark State College is a large public school located in the suburb of North Canton. In-state tuition and fees average $4,790, with out-of-state students paying around $7,886. Typical student debt for fire protection graduates is $17,349. Early-career fire protection graduates make about $42,724. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Sinclair Community College earned it the #2 place 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, compared with $8,556 for out-of-state students. Fire Protection graduates carry a median of $10,950 in student loans. Early-career fire protection graduates make about $35,348. That is a strong return on a $10,950 median debt.
Columbus State Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in fire protection, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Columbus, Columbus State Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,488 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,224. Fire Protection graduates carry a median of $9,041 in student loans. 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.
Auburn Career Center came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value fire protection schools. Set in the suburb of Concord Twp, Auburn Career Center is a small public institution. Fire Protection graduates carry a median of $10,807 in student loans. Median earnings reach $37,032 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in fire protection will find it at Clark State Community College, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Springfield, Clark State Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,393, with out-of-state students paying around $8,049. Students borrow a median of $20,740 to complete the fire protection program here. Early-career fire protection graduates make about $39,734. That is a strong return on a $20,740 median debt.
Owens Community College came in at #6 for value in fire protection this year. Set in the suburb of Perrysburg, Owens Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,870, compared with $10,502 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,383 to complete the fire protection program here. Fire Protection graduates of Owens Community College earn a median of $45,785 early in their careers. Set against $19,383 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Eastern Gateway Community College came in at #7 for value in fire protection this year. Set in the city of Steubenville, Eastern Gateway Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,225 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,071 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,642 to complete the fire protection program here. Fire Protection graduates of Eastern Gateway Community College earn a median of $37,052 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,642 median debt.
Great Oaks Career Campuses earned the #8 position for value in fire protection this year. Located in the suburb of Cincinnati, Great Oaks Career Campuses is a small public university. Fire Protection graduates carry a median of $8,000 in student loans. Fire Protection graduates of Great Oaks Career Campuses earn a median of $41,349 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Bowling Green State University Main Campus ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value fire protection schools. Located in the town of Bowling Green, Bowling Green State University Main Campus is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,912, compared with $21,900 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for fire protection graduates is $25,449. Soon after graduation, fire protection degree recipients from Bowling Green State University Main Campus generally make around $45,196. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
Warren County Career Center landed the #10 spot for fire protection value this year. Set in the rural area of Lebanon, Warren County Career Center is a small public institution. Students borrow a median of $8,679 to complete the fire protection program here. Fire Protection graduates of Warren County Career Center earn a median of $55,897 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,679 median debt.
University Of Cincinnati Main Campus came in at #11 for value in fire protection this year. Set in the city of Cincinnati, University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,363, compared with $28,697 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for fire protection graduates is $23,530. Early-career fire protection graduates make about $58,659. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus admits about 85% of applicants.
Mahoning County Career And Technical Center landed the #12 spot for fire protection value this year. Located in the suburb of Canfield, Mahoning County Career And Technical Center is a small public university. Typical student debt for fire protection graduates is $10,431. Early-career fire protection graduates make about $23,015. Set against $10,431 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
This ranking is produced 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 · 32 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 3 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.