2027 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. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 8 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value wildl&/forest firefighting & investigation schools.
What’s on this page:
2027 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
Antelope Valley College earned the #1 spot for value among wildl&/forest firefighting & investigation schools in the United States. Located in the suburb of Lancaster, Antelope Valley College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,124 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,548. Wildl&/forest Firefighting & Investigation graduates carry a median of $10,729 in student loans. Early-career wildl&/forest firefighting & investigation graduates make about $50,744. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Allan Hancock College came in at #2 on our 2027 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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,156, compared with $9,892 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,786.
Mt San Antonio College came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value wildl&/forest firefighting & investigation schools. Located in the suburb of Walnut, Mt San Antonio College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,364, compared with $10,464 for out-of-state students. Wildl&/forest Firefighting & Investigation graduates carry a median of $9,384 in student loans. Early-career wildl&/forest firefighting & investigation graduates make about $44,391. That is a strong return on a $9,384 median debt.
A rank of #4 makes Pikes Peak Community College one of the best values for wildl&/forest firefighting & investigation. Set in the suburb of Colorado Springs, Pikes Peak Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,510, 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. Early-career wildl&/forest firefighting & investigation graduates make about $41,037. That is a strong return on a $16,066 median debt.
A rank of #5 makes Fox Valley Technical College one of the best values for wildl&/forest firefighting & investigation. Set in the suburb of Appleton, Fox Valley Technical College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. Wildl&/forest Firefighting & Investigation graduates of Fox Valley Technical College earn a median of $44,020 early in their careers. Set against $10,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Central Oregon Community College placed #6 among the best values for wildl&/forest firefighting & investigation. Central Oregon Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Bend. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,683, while out-of-state students pay about $15,246. Wildl&/forest Firefighting & Investigation graduates carry a median of $16,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, wildl&/forest firefighting & investigation degree recipients from Central Oregon Community College generally make around $52,183. That is a strong return on a $16,250 median debt.
Rio Hondo College earned the #7 position for value in wildl&/forest firefighting & investigation this year. Located in the rural area of Whittier, Rio Hondo College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,388, compared with $9,884 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,510 to complete the wildl&/forest firefighting & investigation program here. Wildl&/forest Firefighting & Investigation graduates of Rio Hondo College earn a median of $95,666 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,510 median debt.
Bakersfield College came in at #8 for value in wildl&/forest firefighting & investigation this year. Bakersfield College is a very large public school located in the city of Bakersfield. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,430, compared with $11,300 for out-of-state students. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Other Wildl&/Forest Firefighting & Investigation Degree Levels
Explore the best-value wildl&/forest firefighting & investigation schools at other degree levels:
View All Wildl&/Forest Firefighting & Investigation Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 8 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 8 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.
