2027 Best Value Fire Protection Schools in the Southeast 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.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 54 schools to find the best return on investment for fire protection students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Fire Protection Schools in the Southeast Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in fire protection, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Fire Protection Schools
St Petersburg College earned the #1 spot for value among fire protection schools in the Southeast Region. Located in the city of St. Petersburg, St Petersburg College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,682, while out-of-state students pay about $9,286. Typical student debt for fire protection graduates is $9,557. Fire Protection graduates of St Petersburg College earn a median of $55,829 early in their careers. Set against $9,557 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Indian River State College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in fire protection, landing the #2 spot this year. Indian River State College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fort Pierce. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,764, compared with $10,201 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for fire protection graduates is $5,500. Soon after graduation, fire protection degree recipients from Indian River State College generally make around $47,206. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Chipola College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in fire protection, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the town of Marianna, Chipola College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,120, with out-of-state students paying around $8,950. Fire Protection graduates carry a median of $9,097 in student loans. Early-career fire protection graduates make about $43,599. That is a strong return on a $9,097 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in fire protection will find it at Hillsborough Community College, which ranked #4. Hillsborough Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Tampa. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,491, while out-of-state students pay about $9,088. Typical student debt for fire protection graduates is $14,735. Fire Protection graduates of Hillsborough Community College earn a median of $50,331 early in their careers. Set against $14,735 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Florida State College At Jacksonville came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value fire protection schools. Set in the city of Jacksonville, Florida State College At Jacksonville is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,657, with out-of-state students paying around $9,631. Fire Protection graduates carry a median of $19,139 in student loans. Soon after graduation, fire protection degree recipients from Florida State College At Jacksonville generally make around $49,810. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cleveland Community College landed the #6 spot for fire protection value this year. Set in the town of Shelby, Cleveland Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,602, while out-of-state students pay about $8,746. Typical student debt for fire protection graduates is $7,131. Early-career fire protection graduates make about $39,891. That is a strong return on a $7,131 median debt.
University Of Florida Online landed the #7 spot for fire protection value this year. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida Online is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,876 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $16,579. Fire Protection graduates carry a median of $12,296 in student loans. Fire Protection graduates of University Of Florida Online earn a median of $86,740 early in their careers. Set against $12,296 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.
Northwest Florida State College came in at #8 for value in fire protection this year. Located in the suburb of Niceville, Northwest Florida State College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $2,583 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,612. Students borrow a median of $11,566 to complete the fire protection program here. Soon after graduation, fire protection degree recipients from Northwest Florida State College generally make around $52,856. That is a strong return on a $11,566 median debt.
South Florida State College landed the #9 spot for fire protection value this year. Set in the suburb of Avon Park, South Florida State College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,165, with out-of-state students paying around $11,859. Typical student debt for fire protection graduates is $8,204. Fire Protection graduates of South Florida State College earn a median of $42,415 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Gulf Coast State College came in at #10 for value in fire protection this year. Set in the city of Panama City, Gulf Coast State College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,370 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,635. Fire Protection graduates carry a median of $8,286 in student loans. Early-career fire protection graduates make about $49,086. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Fayetteville Technical Community College ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value fire protection schools. Located in the city of Fayetteville, Fayetteville Technical Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,628 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,772. Fire Protection graduates carry a median of $16,909 in student loans. Soon after graduation, fire protection degree recipients from Fayetteville Technical Community College generally make around $40,584. That is a strong return on a $16,909 median debt.
Sandhills Community College came in at #12 for value in fire protection this year. Sandhills Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Pinehurst. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,040, compared with $6,648 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,238 to complete the fire protection program here. Fire Protection graduates of Sandhills Community College earn a median of $46,492 early in their careers. Set against $9,238 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Miami Dade College landed the #13 spot for fire protection value this year. Set in the city of Miami, Miami Dade College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,838 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,661. Typical student debt for fire protection graduates is $11,967. Early-career fire protection graduates make about $40,267. That is a strong return on a $11,967 median debt.
Black River Technical College landed the #14 spot for fire protection value this year. Located in the town of Pocahontas, Black River Technical College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,776, compared with $7,488 for out-of-state students. Fire Protection graduates carry a median of $12,420 in student loans. Soon after graduation, fire protection degree recipients from Black River Technical College generally make around $41,888. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Pasco Hernando Community College landed the #15 spot for fire protection value this year. Pasco Hernando Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of New Port Richey. Students from in state pay about $3,155 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,032 for out-of-state students. Fire Protection graduates carry a median of $14,908 in student loans. Early-career fire protection graduates make about $53,856. That is a strong return on a $14,908 median debt.
Florida Gateway College came in at #16 for value in fire protection this year. Set in the town of Lake City, Florida Gateway College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,100, with out-of-state students paying around $11,747. Students borrow a median of $8,669 to complete the fire protection program here. Fire Protection graduates of Florida Gateway College earn a median of $41,947 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Manatee Technical College came in at #17 for value in fire protection this year. Located in the suburb of Bradenton, Manatee Technical College is a mid-sized public university. Typical student debt for fire protection graduates is $9,726. Soon after graduation, fire protection degree recipients from Manatee Technical College generally make around $38,735. Set against $9,726 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
J Sargeant Reynolds Community College came in at #18 for value in fire protection this year. J Sargeant Reynolds Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Richmond. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,280, while out-of-state students pay about $11,718. Fire Protection graduates carry a median of $16,131 in student loans. Fire Protection graduates of J Sargeant Reynolds Community College earn a median of $36,965 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Florida earned the #19 position for value in fire protection this year. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. In-state tuition and fees average $6,381, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. Typical student debt for fire protection graduates is $12,296. Fire Protection graduates of University Of Florida earn a median of $86,740 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
Madisonville Community College placed #20 among the best values for fire protection. Madisonville Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Madisonville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,728, while out-of-state students pay about $6,432. Fire Protection graduates carry a median of $10,985 in student loans. Early-career fire protection graduates make about $41,084. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Albany Technical College came in at #21 for value in fire protection this year. Albany Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Albany. Students from in state pay about $3,364 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $5,932. Fire Protection graduates carry a median of $16,321 in student loans. Soon after graduation, fire protection degree recipients from Albany Technical College generally make around $35,895. Set against $16,321 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Gateway Community And Technical College ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value fire protection schools. Located in the suburb of Florence, Gateway Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,728, compared with $6,432 for out-of-state students. Fire Protection graduates carry a median of $11,611 in student loans. Early-career fire protection graduates make about $46,993. That is a strong return on a $11,611 median debt.
Bluegrass Community And Technical College earned the #23 position for value in fire protection this year. Set in the city of Lexington, Bluegrass Community And Technical College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,808 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,512. Typical student debt for fire protection graduates is $13,366. Fire Protection graduates of Bluegrass Community And Technical College earn a median of $44,431 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Eastern Florida State College landed the #24 spot for fire protection value this year. Eastern Florida State College is a large public school located in the city of Melbourne. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,791, compared with $10,976 for out-of-state students. Fire Protection graduates carry a median of $18,123 in student loans. Early-career fire protection graduates make about $44,690. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Alamance Community College came in at #25 for value in fire protection this year. Set in the suburb of Graham, Alamance Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,592, with out-of-state students paying around $8,736. Typical student debt for fire protection graduates is $6,625. Fire Protection graduates of Alamance Community College earn a median of $37,585 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $6,625 median debt.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Fire Protection Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s fire protection value ranking:
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 54 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 54 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.
