2027 Best Value Fire Protection Schools in Ohio

[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 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 9 schools to find the best return on investment for fire protection students.
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2027 Best Value Fire Protection Schools in Ohio
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the fire protection degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Fire Protection Schools
Cincinnati State Technical And Community College tops our 2027 list of the best value fire protection schools in Ohio. Set in the city of Cincinnati, Cincinnati State Technical And Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,517, compared with $10,044 for out-of-state students. Fire Protection graduates carry a median of $6,125 in student loans. Soon after graduation, fire protection degree recipients from Cincinnati State Technical And Community College generally make around $91,944. That is a strong return on a $6,125 median debt.
A rank of #2 makes Stark State College one of the best values for fire protection. Stark State College is a large public school located in the suburb of North Canton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,790, compared with $7,886 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for fire protection graduates is $17,349. Soon after graduation, fire protection degree recipients from Stark State College generally make around $42,724. That is a strong return on a $17,349 median debt.
Sinclair Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in fire protection, landing the #3 spot this year. Sinclair Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Dayton. In-state tuition and fees average $3,675, compared with $8,556 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for fire protection graduates is $10,950. Fire Protection graduates of Sinclair Community College earn a median of $35,348 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #4 makes Columbus State Community College one of the best values for fire protection. Located in the city of Columbus, Columbus State Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,488, compared with $11,224 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,041 to complete the fire protection program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $39,435. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Clark State Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in fire protection, landing the #5 spot this year. Clark State Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Springfield. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,393, while out-of-state students pay about $8,049. Typical student debt for fire protection graduates is $20,740. Soon after graduation, fire protection degree recipients from Clark State Community College generally make around $39,734. That is a strong return on a $20,740 median debt.
Auburn Career Center placed #6 among the best values for fire protection. Located in the suburb of Concord Twp, Auburn Career Center is a small public university. Fire Protection graduates carry a median of $10,807 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $37,032. That is a strong return on a $10,807 median debt.
Great Oaks Career Campuses landed the #7 spot for fire protection value this year. Great Oaks Career Campuses is a small public school located in the suburb of Cincinnati. Fire Protection graduates carry a median of $8,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, fire protection degree recipients from Great Oaks Career Campuses generally make around $41,349. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Akron Main Campus placed #8 among the best values for fire protection. Set in the city of Akron, University Of Akron Main Campus is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,135, while out-of-state students pay about $20,815. Fire Protection graduates carry a median of $25,750 in student loans. Early-career fire protection graduates make about $49,582. Set against $25,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Akron Main Campus admits about 60% of applicants.
Warren County Career Center landed the #9 spot for fire protection value this year. Warren County Career Center is a small public school located in the rural area of Lebanon. Fire Protection graduates carry a median of $8,679 in student loans. Fire Protection graduates of Warren County Career Center earn a median of $55,897 early in their careers. Set against $8,679 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
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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 · 9 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 9 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.