2027 Best Fire Protection Schools in the Great Lakes Region
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 44 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for fire protection students pursuing a degree.
What’s on this page:
Best Schools for Fire Protection in the Great Lakes Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall fire protection education in the Great Lakes Region.
Top Schools in Fire Protection
Harper College tops our 2027 ranking of the best fire protection schools. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Palatine. About 22 fire protection degrees were awarded at Harper College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, fire protection degree recipients from Harper College generally make around $44,523. Harper College graduates carry a median of $10,963 in student loans.
Get the full fire protection details for Harper College
Southern Illinois University Carbondale is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in fire protection, ranking #2. Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a large public school located in the town of Carbondale. Southern Illinois University Carbondale graduates 60% of students within six years. About 57 fire protection degrees were awarded at Southern Illinois University Carbondale in the most recent year. Fire Protection graduates of Southern Illinois University Carbondale earn a median of $104,017 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $17,725.
Read more about the fire protection program at Southern Illinois University Carbondale
Madison Area Technical College is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in fire protection, ranking #3. 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. Students who receive their fire protection degree from Madison Area Technical College earn around $44,279 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $16,812.
Get the full fire protection details for Madison Area Technical College
Students looking for a strong fire protection program will find one at University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point, which ranked #4. Set in the town of Stevens Point, University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point is a moderately-sized public institution. University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point graduates 56% of students within six years. There were roughly 12 fire protection students who graduated with this degree at University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point 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. University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point graduates carry a median of $24,161 in student loans.
See the full fire protection program report for University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point
Western Technical College La Cross is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in fire protection, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of La Crosse, Western Technical College La Cross is a large public institution. 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.
Read more about the fire protection program at Western Technical College La Cross
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 13 fire protection degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, fire protection degree recipients from Cincinnati State Technical And Community College generally make around $91,944. Typical student debt for the program is $6,125.
Read more about the fire protection program at Cincinnati State Technical And Community College
Moraine Valley Community College ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best fire protection schools. Located in the suburb of Palos Hills, Moraine Valley Community College is a large public university. There were roughly 20 fire protection students who graduated with this degree at Moraine Valley Community College in the most recent data year. Fire Protection graduates of Moraine Valley Community College earn a median of $43,844 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $11,149.
Get the full fire protection details for Moraine Valley Community College
Fox Valley Technical College came in at #8 for fire protection this year. This large public university is located in the suburb of Appleton. 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. Typical student debt for the program is $10,000.
See the full fire protection program report for Fox Valley Technical College
University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh landed the #9 spot for fire protection this year. This large public university is located in the city of Oshkosh. University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh graduates 54% of students within six years. About 14 fire protection degrees were awarded at University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, fire protection degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh generally make around $50,590. University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh graduates carry a median of $24,619 in student loans.
Read more about the fire protection program at University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh
Waubonsee Community College earned the #10 position for fire protection this year. Waubonsee Community College is a large public school located in the rural area of Sugar Grove. Waubonsee Community College awarded about 70 fire protection degrees in the most recent data year. Fire Protection graduates of Waubonsee Community College earn a median of $39,659 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $9,939.
Read more about the fire protection program at Waubonsee Community College
College Of Lake County came in at #11 for fire protection this year. Located in the suburb of Grayslake, College Of Lake County is a very large public university. There were roughly 24 fire protection students who graduated with this degree at College Of Lake County in the most recent data year. Students who receive their fire protection degree from College Of Lake County earn around $50,314 in the first couple years of their career. College Of Lake County graduates carry a median of $9,785 in student loans.
More information about a degree in fire protection from College Of Lake County
Southwestern Illinois College placed #12 among the best fire protection schools. This large public university is located in the suburb of Belleville. Southwestern Illinois College awarded about 94 fire protection degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their fire protection degree from Southwestern Illinois College earn around $77,935 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $12,750 to complete this degree.
Get the full fire protection details for Southwestern Illinois College
Joliet Junior College placed #13 among the best fire protection schools. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Joliet. There were roughly 18 fire protection students who graduated with this degree at Joliet Junior College in the most recent data year. Fire Protection graduates of Joliet Junior College earn a median of $40,118 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $11,995 to complete this degree.
Read more about the fire protection program at Joliet Junior College
Gateway Technical College earned the #14 position for fire protection this year. Set in the city of Kenosha, Gateway Technical College is a large public institution. Gateway Technical College awarded about 10 fire protection degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the fire protection program make about $42,410 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $14,829 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in fire protection from Gateway Technical College
Columbus State Community College came in at #15 for fire protection this year. Columbus State Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Columbus. About 101 fire protection degrees were awarded at Columbus State Community College in the most recent year. Students borrow a median of $9,041 to complete this degree.
Read more about the fire protection program at Columbus State Community College
Lewis And Clark Community College ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best fire protection schools. Located in the suburb of Godfrey, Lewis And Clark Community College is a moderately-sized public university. About 48 fire protection degrees were awarded at Lewis And Clark Community College in the most recent year. Graduates of the fire protection program make about $41,313 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $9,602 to complete this degree.
Get the full fire protection details for Lewis And Clark Community College
Illinois Central College ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best fire protection schools. Located in the suburb of East Peoria, Illinois Central College is a large public university. About 12 fire protection degrees were awarded at Illinois Central College in the most recent year. Students who receive their fire protection degree from Illinois Central College earn around $53,190 in the first couple years of their career. Illinois Central College graduates carry a median of $12,222 in student loans.
More information about a degree in fire protection from Illinois Central College
College Of Dupage came in at #18 for fire protection this year. Set in the suburb of Glen Ellyn, College Of Dupage is a very large public institution. There were roughly 18 fire protection students who graduated with this degree at College Of Dupage in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, fire protection degree recipients from College Of Dupage generally make around $58,160. College Of Dupage graduates carry a median of $12,492 in student loans.
Get the full fire protection details for College Of Dupage
Elgin Community College earned the #19 position for fire protection this year. This large public university is located in the city of Elgin. Elgin Community College awarded about 86 fire protection degrees in the most recent data year. Fire Protection graduates of Elgin Community College earn a median of $43,975 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $7,727 to complete this degree.
Get the full fire protection details for Elgin Community College
Lansing Community College came in at #20 for fire protection this year. Set in the city of Lansing, Lansing Community College is a large public institution. About 39 fire protection degrees were awarded at Lansing Community College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, fire protection degree recipients from Lansing Community College generally make around $46,103. Lansing Community College graduates carry a median of $16,700 in student loans.
Get the full fire protection details for Lansing Community College
Mchenry County College earned the #21 position for fire protection this year. Set in the rural area of Crystal Lake, Mchenry County College is a large public institution. About 66 fire protection degrees were awarded at Mchenry County College in the most recent year. Students who receive their fire protection degree from Mchenry County College earn around $24,177 in the first couple years of their career. Mchenry County College graduates carry a median of $7,440 in student loans.
Get the full fire protection details for Mchenry County College
Stark State College landed the #22 spot for fire protection this year. Located in the suburb of North Canton, Stark State College is a large public university. About 15 fire protection degrees were awarded at Stark State College in the most recent year. Graduates of the fire protection program make about $42,724 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $17,349 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in fire protection from Stark State College
Western Illinois University placed #23 among the best fire protection schools. Western Illinois University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Macomb. About 45% of students finish within six years. About 15 fire protection degrees were awarded at Western Illinois University in the most recent year. Fire Protection graduates of Western Illinois University earn a median of $41,432 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $22,723.
More information about a degree in fire protection from Western Illinois University
Purdue University Global earned the #24 position for fire protection this year. Set in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Global is a very large public institution. Roughly 33% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 112 fire protection degrees were awarded at Purdue University Global in the most recent year. Fire Protection graduates of Purdue University Global earn a median of $72,687 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $25,440 to complete this degree.
See the full fire protection program report for Purdue University Global
Sinclair Community College placed #25 among the best fire protection schools. Located in the city of Dayton, Sinclair Community College is a very large public university. Sinclair Community College awarded about 133 fire protection degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, fire protection degree recipients from Sinclair Community College generally make around $35,348. Typical student debt for the program is $10,950.
See the full fire protection program report for Sinclair Community College
Rest of the Top 44 Fire Protection Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s fire protection ranking:
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Notes and References
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 · 44 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
