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 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 7 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for fire protection students.
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If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the fire protection degrees they offer, see the list below.
Leading the list is Pikes Peak Community College, our #1 best value for fire protection in Colorado. Set in the suburb of Colorado Springs, Pikes Peak Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,510, with out-of-state students paying around $17,110. Typical student debt for fire protection graduates is $16,066. Early-career fire protection graduates make about $41,037. Set against $16,066 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Colorado Mountain College earned it the #2 place for fire protection. Located in the town of Glenwood Springs, Colorado Mountain College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,616, while out-of-state students pay about $12,840. Typical student debt for fire protection graduates is $12,953. Fire Protection graduates of Colorado Mountain College earn a median of $48,694 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,953 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in fire protection will find it at Red Rocks Community College, which ranked #3. 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. Students borrow a median of $14,471 to complete the fire protection program here. Soon after graduation, fire protection degree recipients from Red Rocks Community College generally make around $76,340. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in fire protection will find it at Aims Community College, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Greeley, Aims Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,258 in tuition and fees, 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. Set against $9,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #5 makes Pueblo Community College one of the best values for fire protection. Located in the city of Pueblo, Pueblo Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,049, while out-of-state students pay about $17,649. Fire Protection graduates carry a median of $14,106 in student loans. Soon after graduation, fire protection degree recipients from Pueblo Community College generally make around $42,377. Set against $14,106 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mesa State College placed #6 among the best values for fire protection. Set in the city of Grand Junction, Mesa State College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,927, with out-of-state students paying around $25,124. Students borrow a median of $22,310 to complete the fire protection program here. Early-career fire protection graduates make about $43,617. That is a strong return on a $22,310 median debt. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Metropolitan State College Of Denver ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value fire protection schools. Set in the city of Denver, Metropolitan State College Of Denver is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,124, with out-of-state students paying around $30,684. Students borrow a median of $27,484 to complete the fire protection program here. Soon after graduation, fire protection degree recipients from Metropolitan State College Of Denver generally make around $44,861. That is a strong return on a $27,484 median debt. Metropolitan State College Of Denver admits about 99% of applicants.
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 · 7 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 7 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.