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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Value Fire Science Bachelor’s Degree Schools

5 Colleges in the United States
$21,793 Avg Student Debt
$54,214 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Fire Science Bachelor's Degree Badge [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:

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2026 Best Value Fire Science Schools in the United States

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in fire science, balancing cost against outcomes.

Best Value Fire Science Schools

1

Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice earned the #1 spot for value among fire science schools in the United States. Located in the city of New York, Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,470 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,420. Typical student debt for fire science graduates is $16,500. Early-career fire science graduates make about $48,121. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.

2

University Of Florida Online is a great value for students pursuing a degree in fire science, landing the #2 spot 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, compared with $16,579 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for fire science graduates is $12,296. Soon after graduation, fire science degree recipients from University Of Florida Online generally make around $86,740. Set against $12,296 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Florida Online admits about 61% of applicants.

3

Students looking for strong value in fire science will find it at Utah Valley University, which ranked #3. Utah Valley University is a very large public school located in the city of Orem. In-state tuition and fees average $6,507, with out-of-state students paying around $18,489. Students borrow a median of $20,036 to complete the fire science program here. Early-career fire science graduates make about $60,522. Set against $20,036 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

4

Students looking for strong value in fire science will find it at American Public University System, which ranked #4. American Public University System is a very large private for-profit school located in the town of Charles Town. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,400. Fire Science graduates carry a median of $19,434 in student loans. Fire Science graduates of American Public University System earn a median of $57,404 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

5

Students looking for strong value in fire science will find it at New Jersey City University, which ranked #5. New Jersey City University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Jersey City. Students from in state pay about $14,460 in tuition and fees. Fire Science graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Fire Science graduates of New Jersey City University earn a median of $54,600 early in their careers. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. New Jersey City University admits about 98% of applicants.

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Purdue University Global crest
Purdue University Global
West Lafayette, IN

Purdue University Global ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value fire science schools. Purdue University Global is a very large public school located in the city of West Lafayette. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,101, while out-of-state students pay about $14,412. Fire Science graduates carry a median of $29,636 in student loans. Fire Science graduates of Purdue University Global earn a median of $89,622 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

7

Columbia Southern University placed #7 among the best values for fire science. Columbia Southern University is a very large private for-profit school located in the town of Orange Beach. Students from in state pay about $6,224 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for fire science graduates is $21,248. Soon after graduation, fire science degree recipients from Columbia Southern University generally make around $82,718. That is a strong return on a $21,248 median debt.

8

University Of Cincinnati Main Campus earned the #8 position for value in fire science this year. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Cincinnati. Students from in state pay about $13,363 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,697. Fire Science graduates carry a median of $23,530 in student loans. Soon after graduation, fire science degree recipients from University Of Cincinnati Main Campus generally make around $58,659. That is a strong return on a $23,530 median debt. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.

9

Anna Maria College placed #9 among the best values for fire science. Anna Maria College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Paxton. Students from in state pay about $44,571 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for fire science graduates is $22,875. Soon after graduation, fire science degree recipients from Anna Maria College generally make around $81,637. That is a strong return on a $22,875 median debt. The acceptance rate is 50%.

10
University Of New Haven crest
University Of New Haven
West Haven, CT

University Of New Haven earned the #10 position for value in fire science this year. University Of New Haven is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of West Haven. Students from in state pay about $47,332 in tuition and fees. Fire Science graduates carry a median of $26,375 in student loans. Early-career fire science graduates make about $49,615. That is a strong return on a $26,375 median debt. The acceptance rate is 60%.

Other Fire Science Degree Levels

Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Fire Science rankings across degree levels:

All Degree Levels in Fire Science
Associate's Degrees in Fire Science
Master's Degrees in Fire Science
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View All Fire Science Rankings >

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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 · 340 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 5 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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