by our College Data Analytics Team
[Fire Science](/majors/protective-security-safety-services/fire-protection/fire-science/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 340 schools to find the best return on investment for fire science students.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the fire science degrees they offer, see the list below.
Oxnard College tops our 2026 list of the best value fire science schools in the United States. Oxnard College is a large public school located in the city of Oxnard. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,426, while out-of-state students pay about $9,615. Median earnings reach $41,393 ten years out.
Students looking for strong value in fire science will find it at Fresno City College, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Fresno, Fresno City College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,378, while out-of-state students pay about $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. Set against $7,234 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mt San Antonio College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value fire science schools. Located in the suburb of Walnut, Mt San Antonio College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,364 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,464. Fire Science graduates carry a median of $9,384 in student loans. 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.
College Of The Sequoias is a great value for students pursuing a degree in fire science, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Visalia, College Of The Sequoias is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,394, compared with $9,038 for out-of-state students. Fire Science graduates carry a median of $10,288 in student loans. Fire Science graduates of College Of The Sequoias earn a median of $37,749 early in their careers. Set against $10,288 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Moreno Valley College earned it the #5 place for fire science. Located in the suburb of Moreno Valley, Moreno Valley College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,428, while out-of-state students pay about $12,498. Fire Science graduates carry a median of $12,643 in student loans. Early-career fire science graduates make about $45,515. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
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Victor Valley College placed #6 among the best values for fire science. Located in the suburb of Victorville, Victor Valley College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,425, compared with $10,125 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for fire science graduates is $7,995. Soon after graduation, fire science degree recipients from Victor Valley College generally make around $37,755. Set against $7,995 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
South Texas College placed #7 among the best values for fire science. South Texas College is a very large public school located in the city of McAllen. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. Early-career fire science graduates make about $30,227. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Central New Mexico Community College landed the #8 spot for fire science value 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, with out-of-state students paying around $8,684. Students borrow a median of $10,112 to complete the fire science program here. Fire Science graduates of Central New Mexico Community College earn a median of $34,751 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Las Positas College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value fire science schools. Located in the city of Livermore, Las Positas College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,168, while out-of-state students pay about $9,808. Median earnings reach $51,088 ten years out.
Bates Technical College landed the #10 spot for fire science value this year. Set in the city of Tacoma, Bates Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,027, with out-of-state students paying around $12,165. Median earnings reach $50,051 ten years out.
Santa Rosa Junior College ranked #11 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. In-state tuition and fees average $1,318, compared with $11,308 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,692 to complete the fire science program here. 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.
Metropolitan Community College Area came in at #12 for value in fire science this year. Set in the city of Omaha, Metropolitan Community College Area is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,375, 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.
Solano Community College placed #13 among the best values for fire science. Set in the suburb of Fairfield, Solano Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,172, compared with $9,772 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for fire science graduates is $10,500. Graduates go on to earn a median of $44,170 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $10,500 median debt.
El Paso Community College earned the #14 position for value in fire science this year. El Paso Community College is a very large public school located in the city of El Paso. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,274, compared with $5,314 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for fire science graduates is $8,542. Early-career fire science graduates make about $29,086. Set against $8,542 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
West Georgia Technical College landed the #15 spot for fire science value this year. Located in the rural area of Waco, West Georgia Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,410, while out-of-state students pay about $5,978. Fire Science graduates carry a median of $12,651 in student loans. Soon after graduation, fire science degree recipients from West Georgia Technical College generally make around $39,922. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
El Camino Community College District placed #16 among the best values for fire science. Set in the suburb of Torrance, El Camino Community College District is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,144, with out-of-state students paying around $7,630. Graduates go on to earn a median of $41,589 ten years after entry.
Sierra College came in at #17 for value in fire science this year. Sierra College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Rocklin. In-state tuition and fees average $1,446. Typical student debt for fire science graduates is $12,733. Early-career fire science graduates make about $29,214. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Butte College placed #18 among the best values for fire science. Butte College is a large public school located in the rural area of Oroville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,356, while out-of-state students pay about $9,276. Fire Science graduates carry a median of $13,302 in student loans. Fire Science graduates of Butte College earn a median of $67,048 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,302 median debt.
Allan Hancock College landed the #19 spot for fire science value this year. Located in the city of Santa Maria, Allan Hancock College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,156 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,892 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,786.
Mission College ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value fire science schools. Located in the city of Santa Clara, Mission College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,438, compared with $12,500 for out-of-state students. Fire Science graduates carry a median of $17,223 in student loans. Median earnings reach $50,936 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Macomb Community College landed the #21 spot for fire science value this year. Macomb Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Warren. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,660, with out-of-state students paying around $8,370. Students borrow a median of $9,862 to complete the fire science program here. Soon after graduation, fire science degree recipients from Macomb Community College generally make around $38,758. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Community College Of Rhode Island came in at #22 for value in fire science this year. Located in the city of Warwick, Community College Of Rhode Island is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,550, compared with $14,834 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,940 to complete the fire science program here. Fire Science graduates of Community College Of Rhode Island earn a median of $39,680 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Indian River State College ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value fire science schools. Located in the suburb of Fort Pierce, Indian River State College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,764, while out-of-state students pay about $10,201. Typical student debt for fire science graduates is $5,500. Fire Science graduates of Indian River State College earn a median of $47,206 early in their careers. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Palomar College ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value fire science schools. Set in the suburb of San Marcos, Palomar College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,354, compared with $10,650 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,300.
American River College earned the #25 position for value in fire science this year. Located in the suburb of Sacramento, American River College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,288 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,616. Typical student debt for fire science graduates is $14,105. Early-career fire science graduates make about $76,077. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
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Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Fire Science rankings across degree levels:
This ranking is produced 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 38 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.