Fire Protection degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.
For its 2027 ranking, College Factual looked at 242 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for fire protection students pursuing a degree.
The school you choose for fire protection can shape your career. That is why we developed our collection of Best Schools for Fire Protection rankings. For our Best Overall Fire Protection School ranking, we roll up the results of our degree-level rankings, weighted by the number of degrees awarded at that level.
In order to find the schools that are the best fit for you, you may want to filter to one of the degree levels below.
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we have developed a number of rankings, including this Best Fire Protection Schools list, to help you choose. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
Want to compare schools head to head? Try our College Combat tool to weigh the factors that matter most to you.
Best Schools for Fire Protection in the United States
If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the fire protection degrees they offer, see the list below.
No school ranked higher than University Of Florida this year for fire protection. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. The six-year graduation rate is 91%. About 70 fire protection degrees were awarded at University Of Florida in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, fire protection degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $86,740. Typical student debt for the program is $12,296.
See the full fire protection program report for University Of Florida
Harper College came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best fire protection schools. Harper College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Palatine. About 22 fire protection degrees were awarded at Harper College in the most recent year. Fire Protection graduates of Harper College earn a median of $44,523 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $10,963.
See the full fire protection program report for Harper College
California State University San Marcos is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in fire protection, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the suburb of San Marcos, California State University San Marcos is a large public institution. About 55% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 18 fire protection students who graduated with this degree at California State University San Marcos in the most recent data year. Graduates of the fire protection program make about $48,726 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $17,527.
See the full fire protection program report for California State University San Marcos
Southern Illinois University Carbondale came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best fire protection schools. This large public university is located in the town of Carbondale. About 60% of students finish within six years. About 57 fire protection degrees were awarded at Southern Illinois University Carbondale in the most recent year. Students who receive their fire protection degree from Southern Illinois University Carbondale earn around $104,017 in the first couple years of their career. Southern Illinois University Carbondale graduates carry a median of $17,725 in student loans.
More information about a degree in fire protection from Southern Illinois University Carbondale
Santa Rosa Junior College is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in fire protection, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Santa Rosa, Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public university. Santa Rosa Junior College awarded about 98 fire protection degrees in the most recent data year. Fire Protection graduates of Santa Rosa Junior College earn a median of $80,047 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $14,692.
Get the full fire protection details for Santa Rosa Junior College
Miami Dade College ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best fire protection schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Miami. There were roughly 250 fire protection students who graduated with this degree at Miami Dade College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their fire protection degree from Miami Dade College earn around $40,267 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $11,967 to complete this degree.
Get the full fire protection details for Miami Dade College
Oklahoma State University Main Campus landed the #7 spot for fire protection this year. Oklahoma State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the town of Stillwater. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. Oklahoma State University Main Campus awarded about 21 fire protection degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the fire protection program make about $75,503 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $26,500 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in fire protection from Oklahoma State University Main Campus
University Of Florida Online landed the #8 spot for fire protection this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the city of Gainesville. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 46 fire protection students who graduated with this degree at University Of Florida Online in the most recent data year. Students who receive their fire protection degree from University Of Florida Online earn around $86,740 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $12,296.
Read more about the fire protection program at University Of Florida Online
Madison Area Technical College ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best fire protection schools. Located in the city of Madison, Madison Area Technical College is a large public university. Madison Area Technical College awarded about 72 fire protection degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the fire protection program make about $44,279 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $16,812.
Get the full fire protection details for Madison Area Technical College
Lone Star College System ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best fire protection schools. Located in the city of The Woodlands, Lone Star College System is a very large public university. There were roughly 200 fire protection students who graduated with this degree at Lone Star College System in the most recent data year. Graduates of the fire protection program make about $39,954 in their early career. Lone Star College System graduates carry a median of $10,425 in student loans.
Get the full fire protection details for Lone Star College System
University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point placed #11 among the best fire protection schools. This moderately-sized public university is located in the town of Stevens Point. The six-year graduation rate is 56%. University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point awarded about 12 fire protection degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their fire protection degree from University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point earn around $41,256 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $24,161 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in fire protection from University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point
Western Technical College La Cross landed the #12 spot for fire protection this year. This large public university is located in the city of La Crosse. Western Technical College La Cross awarded about 16 fire protection degrees in the most recent data year. Fire Protection graduates of Western Technical College La Cross earn a median of $43,479 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $13,669.
See the full fire protection program report for Western Technical College La Cross
Cincinnati State Technical And Community College placed #13 among the best fire protection schools. Cincinnati State Technical And Community College is a large public school located in the city of Cincinnati. Cincinnati State Technical And Community College awarded about 13 fire protection degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their fire protection degree from Cincinnati State Technical And Community College earn around $91,944 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $6,125.
Get the full fire protection details for Cincinnati State Technical And Community College
Moraine Valley Community College earned the #14 position for fire protection this year. This large public university is located in the suburb of Palos Hills. About 20 fire protection degrees were awarded at Moraine Valley Community College in the most recent year. Students who receive their fire protection degree from Moraine Valley Community College earn around $43,844 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $11,149 to complete this degree.
Read more about the fire protection program at Moraine Valley Community College
Fox Valley Technical College came in at #15 for fire protection this year. Set in the suburb of Appleton, Fox Valley Technical College is a large public institution. About 33 fire protection degrees were awarded at Fox Valley Technical College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, fire protection degree recipients from Fox Valley Technical College generally make around $44,020. Fox Valley Technical College graduates carry a median of $10,000 in student loans.
More information about a degree in fire protection from Fox Valley Technical College
Liberty University placed #16 among the best fire protection schools. Liberty University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Lynchburg. About 67% of students finish within six years. About 25 fire protection degrees were awarded at Liberty University in the most recent year. Graduates of the fire protection program make about $45,877 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $27,414 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in fire protection from Liberty University
College Of San Mateo placed #17 among the best fire protection schools. Set in the city of San Mateo, College Of San Mateo is a large public institution. There were roughly 25 fire protection students who graduated with this degree at College Of San Mateo in the most recent data year. Students borrow a median of $12,831 to complete this degree.
Get the full fire protection details for College Of San Mateo
Tarrant County College District placed #18 among the best fire protection schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Fort Worth. There were roughly 185 fire protection students who graduated with this degree at Tarrant County College District in the most recent data year. Students who receive their fire protection degree from Tarrant County College District earn around $45,158 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $15,148 to complete this degree.
Get the full fire protection details for Tarrant County College District
California State University Los Angeles earned the #19 position for fire protection this year. California State University Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. About 53% of students finish within six years. California State University Los Angeles awarded about 36 fire protection degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, fire protection degree recipients from California State University Los Angeles generally make around $48,289. California State University Los Angeles graduates carry a median of $11,750 in student loans.
Get the full fire protection details for California State University Los Angeles
Des Moines Area Community College earned the #20 position for fire protection this year. Located in the suburb of Ankeny, Des Moines Area Community College is a very large public university. Des Moines Area Community College awarded about 11 fire protection degrees in the most recent data year. Fire Protection graduates of Des Moines Area Community College earn a median of $43,121 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $14,956 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in fire protection from Des Moines Area Community College
Columbia Southern University landed the #21 spot for fire protection this year. Set in the town of Orange Beach, Columbia Southern University is a very large private for-profit institution. About 26% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 2,027 fire protection students who graduated with this degree at Columbia Southern University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, fire protection degree recipients from Columbia Southern University generally make around $79,022. Columbia Southern University graduates carry a median of $15,874 in student loans.
Get the full fire protection details for Columbia Southern University
Columbia Basin College ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best fire protection schools. Located in the suburb of Pasco, Columbia Basin College is a large public university. There were roughly 10 fire protection students who graduated with this degree at Columbia Basin College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, fire protection degree recipients from Columbia Basin College generally make around $63,976. Students borrow a median of $17,170 to complete this degree.
Get the full fire protection details for Columbia Basin College
Salem State University placed #23 among the best fire protection schools. Salem State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Salem. The six-year graduation rate is 50%. Salem State University awarded about 21 fire protection degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, fire protection degree recipients from Salem State University generally make around $49,656. Typical student debt for the program is $27,176.
Read more about the fire protection program at Salem State University
Utah Valley University came in at #24 for fire protection this year. Located in the city of Orem, Utah Valley University is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 40%. About 34 fire protection degrees were awarded at Utah Valley University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, fire protection degree recipients from Utah Valley University generally make around $60,522. Utah Valley University graduates carry a median of $15,203 in student loans.
See the full fire protection program report for Utah Valley University
Northwest Florida State College landed the #25 spot for fire protection this year. Located in the suburb of Niceville, Northwest Florida State College is a moderately-sized public university. There were roughly 26 fire protection students who graduated with this degree at Northwest Florida State College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, fire protection degree recipients from Northwest Florida State College generally make around $52,856. Northwest Florida State College graduates carry a median of $11,566 in student loans.
More information about a degree in fire protection from Northwest Florida State College
Rest of the Top 50 Fire Protection Schools
Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong fire protection education:
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 242 schools evaluated.
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).
