2026 Best Value Fire/Arson Investigation & Prevention Schools in the Southeast Region

[Fire/Arson Investigation & Prevention](/majors/protective-security-safety-services/fire-protection/fire-arson-investigation-and-prevention/) 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.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 3 schools to find the best return on investment for fire/arson investigation & prevention students.
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2026 Best Value Fire/Arson Investigation & Prevention Schools in the Southeast Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in fire/arson investigation & prevention, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Fire/Arson Investigation & Prevention Schools
Leading the list is Southern Arkansas University Tech, our #1 best value for fire/arson investigation & prevention in the Southeast Region. Located in the rural area of Camden, Southern Arkansas University Tech is a small public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,040, with out-of-state students paying around $6,480. Typical student debt for fire/arson investigation & prevention graduates is $8,488. Fire/arson Investigation & Prevention graduates of Southern Arkansas University Tech earn a median of $34,302 early in their careers. Set against $8,488 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #2 makes Eastern Kentucky University one of the best values for fire/arson investigation & prevention. Set in the town of Richmond, Eastern Kentucky University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,320, with out-of-state students paying around $21,230. Typical student debt for fire/arson investigation & prevention graduates is $27,000. Early-career fire/arson investigation & prevention graduates make about $66,617. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #3 makes Methodist University one of the best values for fire/arson investigation & prevention. Located in the city of Fayetteville, Methodist University is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $41,250 in tuition and fees. Fire/arson Investigation & Prevention graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, fire/arson investigation & prevention degree recipients from Methodist University generally make around $30,637. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Methodist University admits about 75% of applicants.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 3 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 2 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.