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.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 36 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 California. Oxnard College is a large public school located in the city of Oxnard. In-state tuition and fees average $1,426, compared with $9,615 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $41,393 ten years out.
College Of The Sequoias is a great value for students pursuing a degree in fire science, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Visalia, College Of The Sequoias is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,394, while out-of-state students pay about $9,038. 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.
Moreno Valley College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in fire science, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Moreno Valley, Moreno Valley College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,428, compared with $12,498 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for fire science graduates is $12,643. Early-career fire science graduates make about $45,515. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in fire science will find it at Fresno City College, which ranked #4. Fresno City College is a very large public school located in the city of Fresno. Students from in state pay about $1,378 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,638. Students borrow a median of $7,234 to complete the fire science program here. Soon after graduation, fire science degree recipients from Fresno City College generally make around $37,470. That is a strong return on a $7,234 median debt.
A rank of #5 makes Mt San Antonio College one of the best values for fire science. Set in the suburb of Walnut, Mt San Antonio College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,364, compared with $10,464 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,384 to complete the fire science program here. Soon after graduation, fire science degree recipients from Mt San Antonio College generally make around $44,391. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
1
2
3
4
5
Imperial Valley College placed #6 among the best values for fire science. Imperial Valley College is a large public school located in the rural area of Imperial. In-state tuition and fees average $1,126, compared with $8,830 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for fire science graduates is $6,176. Fire Science graduates of Imperial Valley College earn a median of $42,617 early in their careers. Set against $6,176 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Shasta College earned the #7 position for value in fire science this year. Set in the suburb of Redding, Shasta College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,197 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,853. Typical student debt for fire science graduates is $12,275. Soon after graduation, fire science degree recipients from Shasta College generally make around $50,330. That is a strong return on a $12,275 median debt.
Victor Valley College placed #8 among the best values for fire science. Victor Valley College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Victorville. In-state tuition and fees average $1,425, while out-of-state students pay about $10,125. Students borrow a median of $7,995 to complete the fire science program here. Early-career fire science graduates make about $37,755. That is a strong return on a $7,995 median debt.
Las Positas College placed #9 among the best values for fire science. Las Positas College is a large public school located in the city of Livermore. In-state tuition and fees average $1,168, compared with $9,808 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $51,088 ten years after entry.
Solano Community College earned the #10 position for value in fire science this year. Located in the suburb of Fairfield, Solano Community College is a large public university. 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. Median earnings reach $44,170 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $10,500 median debt.
Sierra College landed the #11 spot for fire science value this year. Located in the suburb of Rocklin, Sierra College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,446. Fire Science graduates carry a median of $12,733 in student loans. Fire Science graduates of Sierra College earn a median of $29,214 early in their careers. Set against $12,733 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Butte College earned the #12 position for value in fire science this year. 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. Students borrow a median of $13,302 to complete the fire science program here. Early-career fire science graduates make about $67,048. That is a strong return on a $13,302 median debt.
American River College came in at #13 for value in fire science this year. Set in the suburb of Sacramento, American River College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,288, compared with $12,616 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for fire science graduates is $14,105. Soon after graduation, fire science degree recipients from American River College generally make around $76,077. Set against $14,105 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Allan Hancock College earned the #14 position for value in fire science this year. Located in the city of Santa Maria, Allan Hancock College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,156, compared with $9,892 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $42,786 ten years out.
El Camino Community College District earned the #15 position for value in fire science this year. Located in the suburb of Torrance, El Camino Community College District is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,144, compared with $7,630 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $41,589 ten years out.
Bakersfield College landed the #16 spot for fire science value this year. Bakersfield College is a very large public school located in the city of Bakersfield. In-state tuition and fees average $1,430, compared with $11,300 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,419 to complete the fire science program here. Early-career fire science graduates make about $86,312. Set against $9,419 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Santa Rosa Junior College placed #17 among the best values for fire science. Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Rosa. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,318, compared with $11,308 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for fire science graduates is $14,692. Fire Science graduates of Santa Rosa Junior College earn a median of $80,047 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mission College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value fire science schools. Set in the city of Santa Clara, Mission College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,438, while out-of-state students pay about $12,500. Fire Science graduates carry a median of $17,223 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $50,936. Set against $17,223 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Palomar College placed #19 among the best values for fire science. Located in the suburb of San Marcos, Palomar College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,354 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,650 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $42,300 ten years out.
Los Medanos College placed #20 among the best values for fire science. Located in the suburb of Pittsburg, Los Medanos College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,312 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,320. Students borrow a median of $9,500 to complete the fire science program here. Early-career fire science graduates make about $32,581. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
City College Of San Francisco landed the #21 spot for fire science value this year. Located in the city of San Francisco, City College Of San Francisco is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,696, with out-of-state students paying around $14,656. Fire Science graduates carry a median of $10,332 in student loans. Fire Science graduates of City College Of San Francisco earn a median of $100,031 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,332 median debt.
College Of The Siskiyous landed the #22 spot for fire science value this year. Set in the rural area of Weed, College Of The Siskiyous is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,444 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,394. Typical student debt for fire science graduates is $15,625. Soon after graduation, fire science degree recipients from College Of The Siskiyous generally make around $92,905. That is a strong return on a $15,625 median debt.
Antelope Valley College ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value fire science schools. Set in the suburb of Lancaster, Antelope Valley College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,124 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,548. Students borrow a median of $10,729 to complete the fire science program here. Soon after graduation, fire science degree recipients from Antelope Valley College generally make around $50,744. That is a strong return on a $10,729 median debt.
East Los Angeles College ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value fire science schools. Located in the suburb of Monterey Park, East Los Angeles College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,238, compared with $10,572 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,180 to complete the fire science program here. Soon after graduation, fire science degree recipients from East Los Angeles College generally make around $33,595. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Modesto Junior College came in at #25 for value in fire science this year. Set in the city of Modesto, Modesto Junior College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,282, while out-of-state students pay about $9,264. Typical student debt for fire science graduates is $8,575. Soon after graduation, fire science degree recipients from Modesto Junior College generally make around $50,364. Set against $8,575 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s fire science value ranking:
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
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 · 36 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.