by our College Data Analytics Team
[Fire Protection](/majors/protective-security-safety-services/fire-protection/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. 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 28 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.
Our analysis ranked St Petersburg College the best value for a degree in fire protection in Florida. Set in the city of St. Petersburg, St Petersburg College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,682, compared with $9,286 for out-of-state students. Fire Protection graduates carry a median of $9,557 in student loans. Early-career fire protection graduates make about $55,829. Set against $9,557 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in fire protection will find it at Indian River State College, which ranked #2. Located in the suburb of Fort Pierce, Indian River State College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,764, compared with $10,201 for out-of-state students. Fire Protection graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Fire Protection graduates of Indian River State College earn a median of $47,206 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Chipola College earned it the #3 place for fire protection. Located in the town of Marianna, Chipola College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. Set against $9,097 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Hillsborough Community College earned it the #4 place for fire protection. Located in the city of Tampa, Hillsborough Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,491 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,088 for out-of-state students. Fire Protection graduates carry a median of $14,735 in student loans. Early-career fire protection graduates make about $50,331. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #5 makes Florida State College At Jacksonville one of the best values for fire protection. Located in the city of Jacksonville, Florida State College At Jacksonville is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,657, while out-of-state students pay about $9,631. Fire Protection graduates carry a median of $19,139 in student loans. Early-career fire protection graduates make about $49,810. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northwest Florida State College landed the #6 spot for fire protection value this year. Set in the suburb of Niceville, Northwest Florida State College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,583, while out-of-state students pay about $10,612. Typical student debt for fire protection graduates is $11,566. Fire Protection graduates of Northwest Florida State College earn a median of $52,856 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,566 median debt.
South Florida State College earned the #7 position for value in fire protection this year. Located in the suburb of Avon Park, South Florida State College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,165, compared with $11,859 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,204 to complete the fire protection program here. Fire Protection graduates of South Florida State College earn a median of $42,415 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,204 median debt.
University Of Florida Online placed #8 among the best values for fire protection. University Of Florida Online is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Gainesville. Students from in state pay about $3,876 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $16,579. Students borrow a median of $12,296 to complete the fire protection program here. Fire Protection graduates of University Of Florida Online earn a median of $86,740 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Florida Online admits about 61% of applicants.
Gulf Coast State College earned the #9 position for value in fire protection this year. Set in the city of Panama City, Gulf Coast State College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,370, compared with $8,635 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,286 to complete the fire protection program here. Soon after graduation, fire protection degree recipients from Gulf Coast State College generally make around $49,086. That is a strong return on a $8,286 median debt.
Miami Dade College earned the #10 position for value in fire protection this year. Set in the city of Miami, Miami Dade College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,838, with out-of-state students paying around $9,661. Students borrow a median of $11,967 to complete the fire protection program here. Soon after graduation, fire protection degree recipients from Miami Dade College generally make around $40,267. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Pasco Hernando Community College landed the #11 spot for fire protection value this year. Set in the suburb of New Port Richey, Pasco Hernando Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,155 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,032 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for fire protection graduates is $14,908. Soon after graduation, fire protection degree recipients from Pasco Hernando Community College generally make around $53,856. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Florida ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value fire protection schools. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,381, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. Typical student debt for fire protection graduates is $12,296. Soon after graduation, fire protection degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $86,740. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Florida admits about 24% of applicants.
Manatee Technical College placed #13 among the best values for fire protection. Located in the suburb of Bradenton, Manatee Technical College is a mid-sized public university. Students borrow a median of $9,726 to complete the fire protection program here. Early-career fire protection graduates make about $38,735. That is a strong return on a $9,726 median debt.
Florida Gateway College landed the #14 spot for fire protection value this year. Located in the town of Lake City, Florida Gateway College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,100, with out-of-state students paying around $11,747. Fire Protection graduates carry a median of $8,669 in student loans. Fire Protection graduates of Florida Gateway College earn a median of $41,947 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,669 median debt.
Eastern Florida State College landed the #15 spot for fire protection value this year. Set in the city of Melbourne, Eastern Florida State College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,791, with out-of-state students paying around $10,976. Typical student debt for fire protection graduates is $18,123. Soon after graduation, fire protection degree recipients from Eastern Florida State College generally make around $44,690. Set against $18,123 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Daytona State College landed the #16 spot for fire protection value this year. Set in the city of Daytona Beach, Daytona State College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,106, compared with $11,994 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for fire protection graduates is $6,945. Fire Protection graduates of Daytona State College earn a median of $42,696 early in their careers. Set against $6,945 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Edison State College earned the #17 position for value in fire protection this year. Located in the suburb of Fort Myers, Edison State College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,401, with out-of-state students paying around $12,979. Fire Protection graduates carry a median of $13,356 in student loans. Soon after graduation, fire protection degree recipients from Edison State College generally make around $52,597. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Tallahassee Community College landed the #18 spot for fire protection value this year. Located in the city of Tallahassee, Tallahassee Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,026 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,062. Typical student debt for fire protection graduates is $16,340. Fire Protection graduates of Tallahassee Community College earn a median of $40,594 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Seminole State College Of Florida landed the #19 spot for fire protection value this year. Seminole State College Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Sanford. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,122, compared with $11,447 for out-of-state students. Fire Protection graduates carry a median of $18,419 in student loans. Fire Protection graduates of Seminole State College Of Florida earn a median of $48,049 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Palm Beach State College landed the #20 spot for fire protection value this year. Located in the suburb of Lake Worth, Palm Beach State College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,050 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,910 for out-of-state students. Fire Protection graduates carry a median of $18,971 in student loans. Soon after graduation, fire protection degree recipients from Palm Beach State College generally make around $46,698. That is a strong return on a $18,971 median debt.
Charlotte Technical College placed #21 among the best values for fire protection. Located in the suburb of Port Charlotte, Charlotte Technical College is a small public university. Students from in state pay about $3,110 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,110. Students borrow a median of $9,875 to complete the fire protection program here. Soon after graduation, fire protection degree recipients from Charlotte Technical College generally make around $36,503. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Marion Technical College Ocala placed #22 among the best values for fire protection. Marion Technical College Ocala is a small public school located in the city of Ocala. Typical student debt for fire protection graduates is $8,750. Soon after graduation, fire protection degree recipients from Marion Technical College Ocala generally make around $37,678. Set against $8,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Valencia College earned the #23 position for value in fire protection this year. Valencia College is a very large public school located in the city of Orlando. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,664, with out-of-state students paying around $9,576. Fire Protection graduates carry a median of $8,000 in student loans. Fire Protection graduates of Valencia College earn a median of $45,657 early in their careers. Set against $8,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
First Coast Technical College came in at #24 for value in fire protection this year. Located in the suburb of Saint Augustine, First Coast Technical College is a small public university. Median earnings reach $33,784 ten years out.
William T Mcfatter Technical College ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value fire protection schools. Set in the suburb of Davie, William T Mcfatter Technical College is a small public institution. Typical student debt for fire protection graduates is $9,500. Fire Protection graduates of William T Mcfatter Technical College earn a median of $28,512 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,500 median debt.
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in fire protection:
The ranking above is published 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 · 28 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 28 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.