College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2027 Best Fire Protection Associate’s Degree Schools

105 Colleges in the United States
5,702 Fire Protection Degrees Awarded
$49,009 Avg Early-Career Salary

Fire Protection is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. The schools below stand out for the quality of their fire protection programs.

To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 105 schools to find the best for fire protection students.

What’s on this page:

Best Schools for Fire Protection in the United States

These are the top schools for a associate’s degree in fire protection, based on student outcomes and program quality.

Top Schools in Fire Protection

1
Harper College crest
Harper College
Palatine, IL

Harper College is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in fire protection. Located in the suburb of Palatine, Harper College is a very large public university. Harper College awarded about 22 fire protection degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their fire protection degree from Harper College earn around $44,523 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $10,963 to complete this degree. Get the full fire protection details for Harper College

2

Santa Rosa Junior College is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in fire protection, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Santa Rosa, Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public university. There were roughly 89 fire protection students who graduated with this degree at Santa Rosa Junior College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the fire protection program make about $80,047 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $14,692 to complete this degree. See the full fire protection program report for Santa Rosa Junior College

3

Madison Area Technical College is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in fire protection, landing the #3 spot this year. This large public university is located in the city of Madison. There were roughly 10 fire protection students who graduated with this degree at Madison Area Technical College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the fire protection program make about $44,279 in their early career. Madison Area Technical College graduates carry a median of $16,812 in student loans. Read more about the fire protection program at Madison Area Technical College

4

Western Technical College La Cross came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best fire protection schools. Located in the city of La Crosse, Western Technical College La Cross is a large public university. About 16 fire protection degrees were awarded at Western Technical College La Cross in the most recent 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. Read more about the fire protection program at Western Technical College La Cross

5
Chaffey College crest
Chaffey College
Rancho Cucamonga, CA

A rank of #5 makes Chaffey College one of the top schools for fire protection. Set in the suburb of Rancho Cucamonga, Chaffey College is a very large public institution. Chaffey College awarded about 29 fire protection degrees in the most recent data year. Fire Protection graduates of Chaffey College earn a median of $23,532 early in their careers. Chaffey College graduates carry a median of $6,952 in student loans. Read more about the fire protection program at Chaffey College

6

Cincinnati State Technical And Community College earned the #6 position for fire protection this year. Located in the city of Cincinnati, Cincinnati State Technical And Community College is a large public university. Cincinnati State Technical And Community College awarded about 10 fire protection degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the fire protection program make about $91,944 in their early career. Cincinnati State Technical And Community College graduates carry a median of $6,125 in student loans. See the full fire protection program report for Cincinnati State Technical And Community College

7
Rio Hondo College crest
Rio Hondo College
Whittier, CA

Rio Hondo College earned the #7 position for fire protection this year. This very large public university is located in the rural area of Whittier. There were roughly 165 fire protection students who graduated with this degree at Rio Hondo College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the fire protection program make about $95,666 in their early career. Rio Hondo College graduates carry a median of $15,510 in student loans. More information about a degree in fire protection from Rio Hondo College

8

Moraine Valley Community College landed the #8 spot for fire protection this year. Located in the suburb of Palos Hills, Moraine Valley Community College is a large public university. Moraine Valley Community College awarded about 20 fire protection degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the fire protection program make about $43,844 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $11,149. See the full fire protection program report for Moraine Valley Community College

9
Los Medanos College crest
Los Medanos College
Pittsburg, CA

Los Medanos College ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best fire protection schools. Los Medanos College is a large public school located in the suburb of Pittsburg. About 20 fire protection degrees were awarded at Los Medanos College in the most recent year. Graduates of the fire protection program make about $32,581 in their early career. Los Medanos College graduates carry a median of $9,500 in student loans. See the full fire protection program report for Los Medanos College

10

Fox Valley Technical College earned the #10 position for fire protection this year. Set in the suburb of Appleton, Fox Valley Technical College is a large public institution. There were roughly 28 fire protection students who graduated with this degree at Fox Valley Technical College in the most recent data year. Fire Protection graduates of Fox Valley Technical College earn a median of $44,020 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $10,000 to complete this degree. Read more about the fire protection program at Fox Valley Technical College

11
College Of San Mateo crest
College Of San Mateo
San Mateo, CA

College Of San Mateo placed #11 among the best fire protection schools. Located in the city of San Mateo, College Of San Mateo is a large public university. There were roughly 19 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. More information about a degree in fire protection from College Of San Mateo

12
College Of The Canyons crest
College Of The Canyons
Santa Clarita, CA

College Of The Canyons earned the #12 position for fire protection this year. Located in the suburb of Santa Clarita, College Of The Canyons is a very large public university. College Of The Canyons awarded about 30 fire protection degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the fire protection program make about $51,913 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $9,776. More information about a degree in fire protection from College Of The Canyons

13
Lone Star College System crest
Lone Star College System
The Woodlands, TX

Lone Star College System placed #13 among the best fire protection schools. Located in the city of The Woodlands, Lone Star College System is a very large public university. About 34 fire protection degrees were awarded at Lone Star College System in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, fire protection degree recipients from Lone Star College System generally make around $39,954. Lone Star College System graduates carry a median of $10,425 in student loans. Read more about the fire protection program at Lone Star College System

14

City College Of San Francisco ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best fire protection schools. Located in the city of San Francisco, City College Of San Francisco is a very large public university. About 22 fire protection degrees were awarded at City College Of San Francisco in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, fire protection degree recipients from City College Of San Francisco generally make around $100,031. Students borrow a median of $10,332 to complete this degree. Read more about the fire protection program at City College Of San Francisco

15

Columbia Southern University landed the #15 spot for fire protection this year. Set in the town of Orange Beach, Columbia Southern University is a very large private for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 26%. There were roughly 2,000 fire protection students who graduated with this degree at Columbia Southern University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their fire protection degree from Columbia Southern University earn around $75,326 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $10,500 to complete this degree. See the full fire protection program report for Columbia Southern University

16

Des Moines Area Community College earned the #16 position for fire protection this year. Set in the suburb of Ankeny, Des Moines Area Community College is a very large public institution. About 10 fire protection degrees were awarded at Des Moines Area Community College in the most recent year. Graduates of the fire protection program make about $43,121 in their early career. 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

17

Columbia Basin College placed #17 among the best fire protection schools. This large public university is located in the suburb of Pasco. 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. Typical student debt for the program is $17,170. Read more about the fire protection program at Columbia Basin College

18

Johnson County Community College ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best fire protection schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Overland Park. About 14 fire protection degrees were awarded at Johnson County Community College in the most recent year. Students who receive their fire protection degree from Johnson County Community College earn around $46,473 in the first couple years of their career. Johnson County Community College graduates carry a median of $13,532 in student loans. See the full fire protection program report for Johnson County Community College

19
Moreno Valley College crest
Moreno Valley College
Moreno Valley, CA

Moreno Valley College came in at #19 for fire protection this year. Moreno Valley College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Moreno Valley. About 50 fire protection degrees were awarded at Moreno Valley College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, fire protection degree recipients from Moreno Valley College generally make around $45,515. Typical student debt for the program is $12,643. Read more about the fire protection program at Moreno Valley College

20

El Camino Community College District placed #20 among the best fire protection schools. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Torrance. There were roughly 86 fire protection students who graduated with this degree at El Camino Community College District in the most recent data year. Get the full fire protection details for El Camino Community College District

21

College Of Lake County earned the #21 position for fire protection this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Grayslake. About 13 fire protection degrees were awarded at College Of Lake County in the most recent year. Fire Protection graduates of College Of Lake County earn a median of $50,314 early in their careers. College Of Lake County graduates carry a median of $9,785 in student loans. Get the full fire protection details for College Of Lake County

22

Massasoit Community College ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best fire protection schools. Located in the suburb of Brockton, Massasoit Community College is a moderately-sized public university. About 21 fire protection degrees were awarded at Massasoit Community College in the most recent year. Students who receive their fire protection degree from Massasoit Community College earn around $42,938 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $10,894. Get the full fire protection details for Massasoit Community College

23

Volunteer State Community College earned the #23 position for fire protection this year. Located in the suburb of Gallatin, Volunteer State Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Volunteer State Community College awarded about 47 fire protection degrees in the most recent data year. Fire Protection graduates of Volunteer State Community College earn a median of $40,137 early in their careers. Volunteer State Community College graduates carry a median of $12,462 in student loans. Get the full fire protection details for Volunteer State Community College

24

Modesto Junior College ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best fire protection schools. Located in the city of Modesto, Modesto Junior College is a very large public university. There were roughly 61 fire protection students who graduated with this degree at Modesto Junior College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, fire protection degree recipients from Modesto Junior College generally make around $50,364. Modesto Junior College graduates carry a median of $8,575 in student loans. Read more about the fire protection program at Modesto Junior College

25

North Shore Community College ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best fire protection schools. This moderately-sized public university is located in the suburb of Danvers. About 38 fire protection degrees were awarded at North Shore Community College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, fire protection degree recipients from North Shore Community College generally make around $90,948. Students borrow a median of $10,192 to complete this degree. See the full fire protection program report for North Shore Community College

Rest of the Top 50 Fire Protection Schools

Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong fire protection education:

26
27
28
29
Palomar College crest
Palomar College
San Marcos, CA
30
31
32
Valencia College crest
Valencia College
Orlando, FL
33
34
Oxnard College crest
Oxnard College
Oxnard, CA
35
Century College crest
Century College
White Bear Lake, MN
36
37
Allan Hancock College crest
Allan Hancock College
Santa Maria, CA
38
Hennepin Technical College crest
Hennepin Technical College
Brooklyn Park, MN
39
Las Positas College crest
Las Positas College
Livermore, CA
40
Mchenry County College crest
Mchenry County College
Crystal Lake, IL
41
Illinois Central College crest
Illinois Central College
East Peoria, IL
42
College Of Dupage crest
College Of Dupage
Glen Ellyn, IL
43
44
45
East Los Angeles College crest
East Los Angeles College
Monterey Park, CA
46
47
Mission College crest
Mission College
Santa Clara, CA
48
49
50
Blinn College crest
Blinn College
Brenham, TX

Other Fire Protection Degree Levels

Explore the best fire protection schools at other degree levels:

All Degree Levels in Fire Protection
Bachelor's Degrees in Fire Protection
Master's Degrees in Fire Protection

View All Fire Protection Rankings >

Notes and References

This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 105 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

Popular Reports

College Rankings
Best by Location
Degree Guides by Major
Graduate Programs

Compare Your School Options