2026 Best Fire Protection Schools in the Great Lakes Region
Fire Protection degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. The schools below stand out for the quality of their fire protection programs.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 86 schools to find the best for fire protection students.
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
Leading the list is Harper College, our #1 school for fire protection. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Palatine. Harper College awarded about 21 fire protection degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, fire protection degree recipients from Harper College generally make around $44,523. Students borrow a median of $10,963 to complete this degree.
Read more about the fire protection program at Harper College
Students looking for a strong fire protection program will find one at Southern Illinois University Carbondale, which ranked #2. Located in the town of Carbondale, Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a large public university. About 60% of students finish within six years. Southern Illinois University Carbondale awarded about 52 fire protection degrees in the most recent data year. Fire Protection graduates of Southern Illinois University Carbondale earn a median of $104,017 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $17,725 to complete this degree.
Read more about the fire protection program at Southern Illinois University Carbondale
A rank of #3 makes Madison Area Technical College one of the top schools for fire protection. Located in the city of Madison, Madison Area Technical College is a large public university. About 101 fire protection degrees were awarded at Madison Area Technical College in the most recent 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. Students borrow a median of $16,812 to complete this degree.
See the full fire protection program report for Madison Area Technical College
Macomb Community College is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in fire protection, ranking #4. Located in the city of Warren, Macomb Community College is a very large public university. About 21 fire protection degrees were awarded at Macomb Community College in the most recent year. Fire Protection graduates of Macomb Community College earn a median of $38,758 early in their careers. Macomb Community College graduates carry a median of $9,862 in student loans.
Get the full fire protection details for Macomb Community College
Students looking for a strong fire protection program will find one at University Of Cincinnati Main Campus, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Cincinnati, University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 74%. About 16 fire protection degrees were awarded at University Of Cincinnati Main Campus in the most recent year. Students who receive their fire protection degree from University Of Cincinnati Main Campus earn around $58,659 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus graduates carry a median of $23,530 in student loans.
See the full fire protection program report for University Of Cincinnati Main Campus
Fox Valley Technical College came in at #6 for fire protection this year. This large public university is located in the suburb of Appleton. Fox Valley Technical College awarded about 44 fire protection degrees 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.
See the full fire protection program report for Fox Valley Technical College
Moraine Valley Community College landed the #7 spot for fire protection this year. This large public university is located in the suburb of Palos Hills. About 24 fire protection degrees were awarded at Moraine Valley Community College in the most recent year. Fire Protection graduates of Moraine Valley Community College earn a median of $43,844 early in their careers. Moraine Valley Community College graduates carry a median of $11,149 in student loans.
See the full fire protection program report for Moraine Valley Community College
Bowling Green State University Main Campus placed #8 among the best fire protection schools. This large public university is located in the town of Bowling Green. The six-year graduation rate is 61%. About 11 fire protection degrees were awarded at Bowling Green State University Main Campus in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, fire protection degree recipients from Bowling Green State University Main Campus generally make around $45,196. Bowling Green State University Main Campus graduates carry a median of $25,449 in student loans.
See the full fire protection program report for Bowling Green State University Main Campus
University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best fire protection schools. Set in the city of Oshkosh, University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh is a large public institution. University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh graduates 54% of students within six years. There were roughly 13 fire protection students who graduated with this degree at University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh in the most recent data year. Fire Protection graduates of University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh earn a median of $50,590 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $24,619 to complete this degree.
Get the full fire protection details for University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh
Illinois Central College came in at #10 for fire protection this year. Located in the suburb of East Peoria, Illinois Central College is a large public university. About 14 fire protection degrees were awarded at Illinois Central College in the most recent year. Graduates of the fire protection program make about $53,190 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $12,222 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in fire protection from Illinois Central College
Stark State College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best fire protection schools. Set in the suburb of North Canton, Stark State College is a large public institution. Stark State College awarded about 24 fire protection degrees in the most recent data year. Fire Protection graduates of Stark State College earn a median of $42,724 early in their careers. Stark State College graduates carry a median of $17,349 in student loans.
Read more about the fire protection program at Stark State College
Owens Community College landed the #12 spot for fire protection this year. This large public university is located in the suburb of Perrysburg. About 45 fire protection degrees were awarded at Owens Community College in the most recent year. Fire Protection graduates of Owens Community College earn a median of $45,785 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $19,383.
Read more about the fire protection program at Owens Community College
Waubonsee Community College placed #13 among the best fire protection schools. Located in the rural area of Sugar Grove, Waubonsee Community College is a large public university. There were roughly 75 fire protection students who graduated with this degree at Waubonsee Community College in the most recent data year. Fire Protection graduates of Waubonsee Community College earn a median of $39,659 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $9,939 to complete this degree.
Read more about the fire protection program at Waubonsee Community College
Southwestern Illinois College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best fire protection schools. Set in the suburb of Belleville, Southwestern Illinois College is a large public institution. Southwestern Illinois College awarded about 67 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. Southwestern Illinois College graduates carry a median of $12,750 in student loans.
Get the full fire protection details for Southwestern Illinois College
Western Technical College La Cross earned the #15 position for fire protection this year. Western Technical College La Cross is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of La Crosse. About 11 fire protection degrees were awarded at Western Technical College La Cross in the most recent year. Students who receive their fire protection degree from Western Technical College La Cross earn around $43,479 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $13,669.
Read more about the fire protection program at Western Technical College La Cross
College Of Lake County earned the #16 position for fire protection this year. Set in the suburb of Grayslake, College Of Lake County is a very large public institution. College Of Lake County awarded about 19 fire protection degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the fire protection program make about $50,314 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $9,785.
See the full fire protection program report for College Of Lake County
Elgin Community College came in at #17 for fire protection this year. Elgin Community College is a large public school located in the city of Elgin. There were roughly 88 fire protection students who graduated with this degree at Elgin Community College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, fire protection degree recipients from Elgin Community College generally make around $43,975. Students borrow a median of $7,727 to complete this degree.
Read more about the fire protection program at Elgin Community College
Lewis And Clark Community College placed #18 among the best fire protection schools. Located in the suburb of Godfrey, Lewis And Clark Community College is a moderately-sized public university. About 32 fire protection degrees were awarded at Lewis And Clark Community College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, fire protection degree recipients from Lewis And Clark Community College generally make around $41,313. Typical student debt for the program is $9,602.
See the full fire protection program report for Lewis And Clark Community College
Milwaukee Area Technical College placed #19 among the best fire protection schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Milwaukee. There were roughly 11 fire protection students who graduated with this degree at Milwaukee Area Technical College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, fire protection degree recipients from Milwaukee Area Technical College generally make around $38,325. Students borrow a median of $18,296 to complete this degree.
Read more about the fire protection program at Milwaukee Area Technical College
Joliet Junior College landed the #20 spot for fire protection this year. Set in the suburb of Joliet, Joliet Junior College is a very large public institution. Joliet Junior College awarded about 13 fire protection degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their fire protection degree from Joliet Junior College earn around $40,118 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $11,995 to complete this degree.
Read more about the fire protection program at Joliet Junior College
Lansing Community College placed #21 among the best fire protection schools. This large public university is located in the city of Lansing. About 31 fire protection degrees were awarded at Lansing Community College in the most recent year. Fire Protection graduates of Lansing Community College earn a median of $46,103 early in their careers. Lansing Community College graduates carry a median of $16,700 in student loans.
Read more about the fire protection program at Lansing Community College
Western Illinois University landed the #22 spot for fire protection this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the town of Macomb. The six-year graduation rate is 45%. There were roughly 14 fire protection students who graduated with this degree at Western Illinois University in the most recent data year. Fire Protection graduates of Western Illinois University earn a median of $41,432 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $22,723 to complete this degree.
Get the full fire protection details for Western Illinois University
Northeast Wisconsin Technical College placed #23 among the best fire protection schools. Set in the city of Green Bay, Northeast Wisconsin Technical College is a large public institution. There were roughly 20 fire protection students who graduated with this degree at Northeast Wisconsin Technical College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their fire protection degree from Northeast Wisconsin Technical College earn around $42,016 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $14,997.
Read more about the fire protection program at Northeast Wisconsin Technical College
Columbus State Community College placed #24 among the best fire protection schools. Set in the city of Columbus, Columbus State Community College is a very large public institution. Columbus State Community College awarded about 108 fire protection degrees in the most recent data year. Columbus State Community College graduates carry a median of $9,041 in student loans.
More information about a degree in fire protection from Columbus State Community College
Lake Superior State University came in at #25 for fire protection this year. Located in the town of Sault Ste Marie, Lake Superior State University is a small public university. About 50% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 21 fire protection students who graduated with this degree at Lake Superior State University in the most recent data year. Fire Protection graduates of Lake Superior State University earn a median of $47,910 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $22,429.
See the full fire protection program report for Lake Superior State University
Rest of the Top 49 Fire Protection Schools
Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong fire protection education:
Narrow Fire Protection Schools by State
More Fire Protection Rankings
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 86 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.
