by our College Data Analytics Team
[Fire Protection](/majors/protective-security-safety-services/fire-protection/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong fire protection education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 12 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 Utah Valley University, our #1 best value for fire protection in the Rocky Mountains Region. Utah Valley University is a very large public school located in the city of Orem. In-state tuition and fees average $6,507, with out-of-state students paying around $18,489. Fire Protection graduates carry a median of $15,203 in student loans. Early-career fire protection graduates make about $60,522. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Pikes Peak Community College earned it the #2 place for fire protection. Set in the suburb of Colorado Springs, Pikes Peak Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,510, compared with $17,110 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for fire protection graduates is $16,066. Fire Protection graduates of Pikes Peak Community College earn a median of $41,037 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,066 median debt.
A rank of #3 makes Colorado Mountain College one of the best values for fire protection. Set in the town of Glenwood Springs, Colorado Mountain College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,616 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,840 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,953 to complete the fire protection program here. Early-career fire protection graduates make about $48,694. That is a strong return on a $12,953 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in fire protection will find it at College Of Western Idaho, which ranked #4. College Of Western Idaho is a very large public school located in the rural area of Nampa. In-state tuition and fees average $3,446, compared with $7,454 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for fire protection graduates is $12,497. Fire Protection graduates of College Of Western Idaho earn a median of $40,963 early in their careers.
Red Rocks Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in fire protection, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Lakewood, Red Rocks Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,859, with out-of-state students paying around $17,459. Fire Protection graduates carry a median of $14,471 in student loans. Soon after graduation, fire protection degree recipients from Red Rocks Community College generally make around $76,340. That is a strong return on a $14,471 median debt.
Casper College landed the #6 spot for fire protection value this year. Set in the city of Casper, Casper College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,410, while out-of-state students pay about $10,710. Typical student debt for fire protection graduates is $12,598. Fire Protection graduates of Casper College earn a median of $49,729 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,598 median debt.
Bridgerland Technical College placed #7 among the best values for fire protection. Set in the city of Logan, Bridgerland Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. Fire Protection graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. Early-career fire protection graduates make about $28,884. That is a strong return on a $12,000 median debt.
Aims Community College landed the #8 spot for fire protection value this year. Set in the city of Greeley, Aims Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,258, while out-of-state students pay about $11,786. Typical student debt for fire protection graduates is $9,750. Fire Protection graduates of Aims Community College earn a median of $44,470 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,750 median debt.
Pueblo Community College landed the #9 spot for fire protection value this year. Set in the city of Pueblo, Pueblo Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,049, while out-of-state students pay about $17,649. Fire Protection graduates carry a median of $14,106 in student loans. Early-career fire protection graduates make about $42,377. Set against $14,106 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Davis Technical College ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value fire protection schools. Located in the suburb of Kaysville, Davis Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Students borrow a median of $6,262 to complete the fire protection program here. Soon after graduation, fire protection degree recipients from Davis Technical College generally make around $34,093. Set against $6,262 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mesa State College placed #11 among the best values for fire protection. Set in the city of Grand Junction, Mesa State College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,927 in tuition and fees, compared with $25,124 for out-of-state students. Fire Protection graduates carry a median of $22,310 in student loans. Early-career fire protection graduates make about $43,617. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Metropolitan State College Of Denver earned the #12 position for value in fire protection this year. Located in the city of Denver, Metropolitan State College Of Denver is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,124 in tuition and fees, compared with $30,684 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for fire protection graduates is $27,484. Soon after graduation, fire protection degree recipients from Metropolitan State College Of Denver generally make around $44,861. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 99%.
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 · 12 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 12 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.