2026 Best Value Wildl&/Forest Firefighting & Investigation Schools in California
[Wildl&/Forest Firefighting & Investigation](/majors/protective-security-safety-services/fire-protection/wildland-forest-firefighting-and-investigation/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 8 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value wildl&/forest firefighting & investigation schools.
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2026 Best Value Wildl&/Forest Firefighting & Investigation Schools in California
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
Victor Valley College earned the #1 spot for value among wildl&/forest firefighting & investigation schools in California. Located in the suburb of Victorville, Victor Valley College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,425, while out-of-state students pay about $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. That is a strong return on a $7,995 median debt.
Shasta College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in wildl&/forest firefighting & investigation, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Redding, Shasta College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,197, while out-of-state students pay about $8,853. Typical student debt for wildl&/forest firefighting & investigation graduates is $12,275. Early-career wildl&/forest firefighting & investigation graduates make about $50,330. Set against $12,275 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in wildl&/forest firefighting & investigation will find it at Porterville College, which ranked #3. Set in the suburb of Porterville, Porterville College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,438, compared with $11,308 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $36,328 ten years out.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Allan Hancock College earned it the #4 place for wildl&/forest firefighting & investigation. Allan Hancock College is a large public school located in the city of Santa Maria. In-state tuition and fees average $1,156, with out-of-state students paying around $9,892. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,786 ten years after entry.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Bakersfield College earned it the #5 place for wildl&/forest firefighting & investigation. Set in the city of Bakersfield, Bakersfield College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,430, with out-of-state students paying around $11,300. Typical student debt for wildl&/forest firefighting & investigation graduates is $9,419. Early-career wildl&/forest firefighting & investigation graduates make about $86,312. That is a strong return on a $9,419 median debt.
Antelope Valley College placed #6 among the best values for wildl&/forest firefighting & investigation. Set in the suburb of Lancaster, Antelope Valley College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,124, compared with $9,548 for out-of-state students. Wildl&/forest Firefighting & Investigation graduates carry a median of $10,729 in student loans. Wildl&/forest Firefighting & Investigation graduates of Antelope Valley College earn a median of $50,744 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,729 median debt.
Rio Hondo College landed the #7 spot for wildl&/forest firefighting & investigation value this year. Located in the rural area of Whittier, Rio Hondo College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,388, while out-of-state students pay about $9,884. Wildl&/forest Firefighting & Investigation graduates carry a median of $15,510 in student loans. Early-career wildl&/forest firefighting & investigation graduates make about $95,666. That is a strong return on a $15,510 median debt.
Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 8 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 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.
