2027 Best Value Fire Protection Schools in North Carolina
[Fire Protection](/majors/protective-security-safety-services/fire-protection/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 10 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value fire protection schools.
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2027 Best Value Fire Protection Schools in North Carolina
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
Cleveland Community College earned the #1 spot for value among fire protection schools in North Carolina. Located in the town of Shelby, Cleveland Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,602, with out-of-state students paying around $8,746. Fire Protection graduates carry a median of $7,131 in student loans. Soon after graduation, fire protection degree recipients from Cleveland Community College generally make around $39,891. Set against $7,131 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in fire protection will find it at Fayetteville Technical Community College, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Fayetteville, Fayetteville Technical Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,628, with out-of-state students paying around $8,772. Typical student debt for fire protection graduates is $16,909. Fire Protection graduates of Fayetteville Technical Community College earn a median of $40,584 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #3 makes Sandhills Community College one of the best values for fire protection. Located in the rural area of Pinehurst, Sandhills Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $2,040 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,648. Students borrow a median of $9,238 to complete the fire protection program here. Early-career fire protection graduates make about $46,492. That is a strong return on a $9,238 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Alamance Community College earned it the #4 place for fire protection. Located in the suburb of Graham, Alamance Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,592, with out-of-state students paying around $8,736. Students borrow a median of $6,625 to complete the fire protection program here. 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.
Fayetteville State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in fire protection, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Fayetteville, Fayetteville State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,353, while out-of-state students pay about $8,353. Fire Protection graduates carry a median of $15,777 in student loans. Early-career fire protection graduates make about $67,586. Set against $15,777 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Randolph Community College ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value fire protection schools. Randolph Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Asheboro. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,416, with out-of-state students paying around $8,176. Fire Protection graduates of Randolph Community College earn a median of $32,198 early in their careers.
Rowan Cabarrus Community College earned the #7 position for value in fire protection this year. Set in the suburb of Salisbury, Rowan Cabarrus Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,064 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,672. Typical student debt for fire protection graduates is $10,867. Fire Protection graduates of Rowan Cabarrus Community College earn a median of $34,351 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,867 median debt.
Coastal Carolina Community College earned the #8 position for value in fire protection this year. Coastal Carolina Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Jacksonville. Students from in state pay about $2,512 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,656. Typical student debt for fire protection graduates is $7,125. Soon after graduation, fire protection degree recipients from Coastal Carolina Community College generally make around $37,831. Set against $7,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Catawba Valley Community College landed the #9 spot for fire protection value this year. Located in the city of Hickory, Catawba Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,427, with out-of-state students paying around $7,803. Students borrow a median of $9,842 to complete the fire protection program here. Soon after graduation, fire protection degree recipients from Catawba Valley Community College generally make around $38,219. That is a strong return on a $9,842 median debt.
Guilford Technical Community College came in at #10 for value in fire protection this year. Guilford Technical Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Jamestown. Students from in state pay about $2,320 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,696. Students borrow a median of $20,501 to complete the fire protection program here. Fire Protection graduates of Guilford Technical Community College earn a median of $36,124 early in their careers. Set against $20,501 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
More Fire Protection Rankings
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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 · 10 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 10 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.
