by our College Data Analytics Team
[Fire Science](/majors/protective-security-safety-services/fire-protection/fire-science/) 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 340 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value fire science schools.
What’s on this page:
Where you study fire science affects both what you pay and what you earn. To help, we created our Best Value Fire Science Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
Read more about our methodology
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value Fire Science Schools list, to help you choose. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
Want to compare schools head to head? Try our College Combat tool to weigh the factors that matter most to you.
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the fire science degrees they offer, see the list below.
Our analysis ranked St Petersburg College the best value for a degree in fire science in the United States. St Petersburg College is a very large public school located in the city of St. Petersburg. In-state tuition and fees average $2,682, with out-of-state students paying around $9,286. Students borrow a median of $9,557 to complete the fire science program here. Early-career fire science graduates make about $55,829. Set against $9,557 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Oxnard College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in fire science, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Oxnard, Oxnard College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,426, while out-of-state students pay about $9,615. Median earnings reach $41,393 ten years out.
Moreno Valley College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in fire science, landing the #3 spot this year. Moreno Valley College is a large public school located in the suburb of Moreno Valley. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,428, compared with $12,498 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for fire science graduates is $12,643. Fire Science graduates of Moreno Valley College earn a median of $45,515 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,643 median debt.
College Of The Mainland is a great value for students pursuing a degree in fire science, landing the #4 spot this year. College Of The Mainland is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Texas City. Students from in state pay about $2,310 in tuition and fees, compared with $4,140 for out-of-state students. Fire Science graduates carry a median of $10,928 in student loans. Soon after graduation, fire science degree recipients from College Of The Mainland generally make around $40,788. That is a strong return on a $10,928 median debt.
A rank of #5 makes Florida State College At Jacksonville one of the best values for fire science. Located in the city of Jacksonville, Florida State College At Jacksonville is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,657 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,631. Typical student debt for fire science graduates is $19,139. Fire Science graduates of Florida State College At Jacksonville earn a median of $49,810 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
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Shasta College came in at #6 for value in fire science this year. Shasta College is a large public school located in the suburb of Redding. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,197, with out-of-state students paying around $8,853. Typical student debt for fire science graduates is $12,275. Early-career fire science graduates make about $50,330. Set against $12,275 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mt San Antonio College earned the #7 position for value in fire science this year. Mt San Antonio College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Walnut. Students from in state pay about $1,364 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,464 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,384 to complete the fire science program here. Fire Science graduates of Mt San Antonio College earn a median of $44,391 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,384 median debt.
Fresno City College came in at #8 for value in fire science this year. Fresno City College is a very large public school located in the city of Fresno. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,378, with out-of-state students paying around $8,638. Fire Science graduates carry a median of $7,234 in student loans. Fire Science graduates of Fresno City College earn a median of $37,470 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $7,234 median debt.
Seminole State College Of Florida landed the #9 spot for fire science value this year. Seminole State College Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Sanford. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,122, while out-of-state students pay about $11,447. Students borrow a median of $18,419 to complete the fire science program here. Early-career fire science graduates make about $48,049. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of The Sequoias came in at #10 for value in fire science this year. Set in the city of Visalia, College Of The Sequoias is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,394, compared with $9,038 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for fire science graduates is $10,288. Early-career fire science graduates make about $37,749. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice placed #11 among the best values for fire science. Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice is a large public school located in the city of New York. In-state tuition and fees average $7,470, compared with $15,420 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for fire science graduates is $16,500. Fire Science graduates of Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice earn a median of $48,121 early in their careers. Set against $16,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice admits about 57% of applicants.
South Texas College placed #12 among the best values for fire science. South Texas College is a very large public school located in the city of McAllen. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,920, with out-of-state students paying around $7,620. Students borrow a median of $6,868 to complete the fire science program here. Fire Science graduates of South Texas College earn a median of $30,227 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $6,868 median debt.
Florida Gateway College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value fire science schools. Set in the town of Lake City, Florida Gateway College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,100, while out-of-state students pay about $11,747. Students borrow a median of $8,669 to complete the fire science program here. Early-career fire science graduates make about $41,947. Set against $8,669 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Gulf Coast State College came in at #14 for value in fire science this year. Set in the city of Panama City, Gulf Coast State College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,370, while out-of-state students pay about $8,635. Fire Science graduates carry a median of $8,286 in student loans. Soon after graduation, fire science degree recipients from Gulf Coast State College generally make around $49,086. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Pima Community College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value fire science schools. Pima Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Tucson. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,442, while out-of-state students pay about $7,758. Typical student debt for fire science graduates is $10,655. Fire Science graduates of Pima Community College earn a median of $35,059 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lansing Community College came in at #16 for value in fire science this year. Set in the city of Lansing, Lansing Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,100, with out-of-state students paying around $11,300. Students borrow a median of $16,700 to complete the fire science program here. Fire Science graduates of Lansing Community College earn a median of $46,103 early in their careers. Set against $16,700 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Imperial Valley College came in at #17 for value in fire science this year. Imperial Valley College is a large public school located in the rural area of Imperial. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,126, while out-of-state students pay about $8,830. Fire Science graduates carry a median of $6,176 in student loans. Fire Science graduates of Imperial Valley College earn a median of $42,617 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $6,176 median debt.
Las Positas College landed the #18 spot for fire science value this year. Located in the city of Livermore, Las Positas College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,168 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,808. Graduates go on to earn a median of $51,088 ten years after entry.
University Of Florida Online landed the #19 spot for fire science value this year. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida Online is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,876, with out-of-state students paying around $16,579. Typical student debt for fire science graduates is $12,296. Fire Science graduates of University Of Florida Online earn a median of $86,740 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.
Central New Mexico Community College came in at #20 for value in fire science this year. Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Albuquerque. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,060, compared with $8,684 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for fire science graduates is $10,112. Early-career fire science graduates make about $34,751. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Victor Valley College earned the #21 position for value in fire science this year. Set in the suburb of Victorville, Victor Valley College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,425, compared with $10,125 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,995 to complete the fire science program here. Early-career fire science graduates make about $37,755. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Bates Technical College landed the #22 spot for fire science value this year. Located in the city of Tacoma, Bates Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,027, compared with $12,165 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $50,051.
Lewis And Clark Community College landed the #23 spot for fire science value this year. Set in the suburb of Godfrey, Lewis And Clark Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,340, compared with $7,840 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for fire science graduates is $9,602. Fire Science graduates of Lewis And Clark Community College earn a median of $41,313 early in their careers. Set against $9,602 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Metropolitan Community College Area came in at #24 for value in fire science this year. Metropolitan Community College Area is a very large public school located in the city of Omaha. Students from in state pay about $3,375 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $4,950. Fire Science graduates carry a median of $12,799 in student loans. Soon after graduation, fire science degree recipients from Metropolitan Community College Area generally make around $45,583. That is a strong return on a $12,799 median debt.
Santa Rosa Junior College ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value fire science schools. Set in the city of Santa Rosa, Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,318 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,308. Typical student debt for fire science graduates is $14,692. Soon after graduation, fire science degree recipients from Santa Rosa Junior College generally make around $80,047. That is a strong return on a $14,692 median debt.
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Fire Science is one of many programs to choose from within the area of study. Browse the parent area of study.
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 340 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 41 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.