2026 Best Value Wildl&/Forest Firefighting & Investigation Associate’s Degree Schools
[Wildl&/Forest Firefighting & Investigation](/majors/protective-security-safety-services/fire-protection/wildland-forest-firefighting-and-investigation/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 23 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for wildl&/forest firefighting & investigation students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Wildl&/Forest Firefighting & Investigation Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the wildl&/forest firefighting & investigation degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Wildl&/Forest Firefighting & Investigation Schools
Our analysis ranked Victor Valley College the best value for a degree in wildl&/forest firefighting & investigation in the United States. Victor Valley College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Victorville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,425, with out-of-state students paying around $10,125. Wildl&/forest Firefighting & Investigation graduates carry a median of $7,995 in student loans. Soon after graduation, wildl&/forest firefighting & investigation degree recipients from Victor Valley College generally make around $37,755. Set against $7,995 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Central New Mexico Community College earned it the #2 place for wildl&/forest firefighting & investigation. Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Albuquerque. In-state tuition and fees average $2,060, compared with $8,684 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for wildl&/forest firefighting & investigation graduates is $10,112. Early-career wildl&/forest firefighting & investigation graduates make about $34,751. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Allan Hancock College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value wildl&/forest firefighting & investigation schools. Set in the city of Santa Maria, Allan Hancock College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,156, compared with $9,892 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,786 ten years after entry.
A rank of #4 makes Bakersfield College one of the best values for wildl&/forest firefighting & investigation. Bakersfield College is a very large public school located in the city of Bakersfield. Students from in state pay about $1,430 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,300. Wildl&/forest Firefighting & Investigation graduates carry a median of $9,419 in student loans. Early-career wildl&/forest firefighting & investigation graduates make about $86,312. Set against $9,419 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in wildl&/forest firefighting & investigation will find it at Antelope Valley College, which ranked #5. Set in the suburb of Lancaster, Antelope Valley College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,124, while out-of-state students pay about $9,548. Students borrow a median of $10,729 to complete the wildl&/forest firefighting & investigation program here. Wildl&/forest Firefighting & Investigation graduates of Antelope Valley College earn a median of $50,744 early in their careers. Set against $10,729 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Aims Community College came in at #6 for value in wildl&/forest firefighting & investigation this year. Set in the city of Greeley, Aims Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,258, compared with $11,786 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,750 to complete the wildl&/forest firefighting & investigation program here. Soon after graduation, wildl&/forest firefighting & investigation degree recipients from Aims Community College generally make around $45,909. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Pikes Peak Community College landed the #7 spot for wildl&/forest firefighting & investigation value this year. Pikes Peak Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Colorado Springs. Students from in state pay about $4,510 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,110 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,066 to complete the wildl&/forest firefighting & investigation program here. Soon after graduation, wildl&/forest firefighting & investigation degree recipients from Pikes Peak Community College generally make around $41,037. That is a strong return on a $16,066 median debt.
Central Oregon Community College came in at #8 for value in wildl&/forest firefighting & investigation this year. Central Oregon Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Bend. In-state tuition and fees average $5,683, while out-of-state students pay about $15,246. Typical student debt for wildl&/forest firefighting & investigation graduates is $16,250. Early-career wildl&/forest firefighting & investigation graduates make about $52,183. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Fox Valley Technical College placed #9 among the best values for wildl&/forest firefighting & investigation. Located in the suburb of Appleton, Fox Valley Technical College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,040, while out-of-state students pay about $7,283. Students borrow a median of $10,000 to complete the wildl&/forest firefighting & investigation program here. Early-career wildl&/forest firefighting & investigation graduates make about $44,020. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rio Hondo College came in at #10 for value in wildl&/forest firefighting & investigation this year. Rio Hondo College is a very large public school located in the rural area of Whittier. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,388, with out-of-state students paying around $9,884. Students borrow a median of $15,510 to complete the wildl&/forest firefighting & investigation program here. Soon after graduation, wildl&/forest firefighting & investigation degree recipients from Rio Hondo College generally make around $95,666. Set against $15,510 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Coconino Community College earned the #11 position for value in wildl&/forest firefighting & investigation this year. Coconino Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Flagstaff. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,907, compared with $9,987 for out-of-state students. Wildl&/forest Firefighting & Investigation graduates carry a median of $16,011 in student loans. Soon after graduation, wildl&/forest firefighting & investigation degree recipients from Coconino Community College generally make around $39,850. Set against $16,011 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Other Wildl&/Forest Firefighting & Investigation Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Wildl&/Forest Firefighting & Investigation rankings across degree levels:
View All Wildl&/Forest Firefighting & Investigation Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 23 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 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.
