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2026 Best Value Fire Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the fire science degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Fire Science Schools
Lansing Community College tops our 2026 list of the best value fire science schools in the Great Lakes Region. Lansing Community College is a large public school located in the city of Lansing. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,100, compared with $11,300 for out-of-state students. Fire Science graduates carry a median of $16,700 in student loans. 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.
Lewis And Clark Community College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value fire science schools. Lewis And Clark Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Godfrey. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,340, with out-of-state students paying around $7,840. Fire Science graduates carry a median of $9,602 in student loans. 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.
A rank of #3 makes Macomb Community College one of the best values for fire science. Set in the city of Warren, Macomb Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,660, while out-of-state students pay about $8,370. Typical student debt for fire science graduates is $9,862. Soon after graduation, fire science degree recipients from Macomb Community College generally make around $38,758. That is a strong return on a $9,862 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in fire science will find it at Oakland Community College, which ranked #4. Located in the suburb of Auburn Hills, Oakland Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,120, compared with $5,560 for out-of-state students. Fire Science graduates carry a median of $15,865 in student loans. Soon after graduation, fire science degree recipients from Oakland Community College generally make around $44,178. That is a strong return on a $15,865 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Lincoln Land Community College earned it the #5 place for fire science. Located in the rural area of Springfield, Lincoln Land Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,744, compared with $10,464 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for fire science graduates is $11,272. Early-career fire science graduates make about $43,834. That is a strong return on a $11,272 median debt.
ADBLOCK #101
Prairie State College came in at #6 for value in fire science this year. Located in the suburb of Chicago Heights, Prairie State College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,176, while out-of-state students pay about $11,064. Fire Science graduates carry a median of $15,663 in student loans. Soon after graduation, fire science degree recipients from Prairie State College generally make around $37,500. Set against $15,663 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Harper College placed #7 among the best values for fire science. Located in the suburb of Palatine, Harper College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,894, while out-of-state students pay about $11,874. Typical student debt for fire science graduates is $10,963. Early-career fire science graduates make about $44,523. Set against $10,963 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Joliet Junior College came in at #8 for value in fire science this year. Joliet Junior College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Joliet. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,530, compared with $13,800 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for fire science graduates is $11,995. Fire Science graduates of Joliet Junior College earn a median of $40,118 early in their careers. Set against $11,995 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Elgin Community College placed #9 among the best values for fire science. Elgin Community College is a large public school located in the city of Elgin. In-state tuition and fees average $3,252, while out-of-state students pay about $9,516. Typical student debt for fire science graduates is $7,727. Early-career fire science graduates make about $43,975. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Waubonsee Community College placed #10 among the best values for fire science. Waubonsee Community College is a large public school located in the rural area of Sugar Grove. In-state tuition and fees average $3,504, compared with $10,464 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for fire science graduates is $9,939. Fire Science graduates of Waubonsee Community College earn a median of $39,659 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,939 median debt.
Southwestern Illinois College landed the #16 spot for fire science value this year. Set in the suburb of Belleville, Southwestern Illinois College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,230, with out-of-state students paying around $6,720. Students borrow a median of $12,750 to complete the fire science program here. Fire Science graduates of Southwestern Illinois College earn a median of $77,935 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Columbus State Community College placed #17 among the best values for fire science. Set in the city of Columbus, Columbus State Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,488 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,224. Students borrow a median of $9,041 to complete the fire science program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $39,435 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $9,041 median debt.
Mchenry County College landed the #18 spot for fire science value this year. Located in the rural area of Crystal Lake, Mchenry County College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,162, with out-of-state students paying around $14,399. Typical student debt for fire science graduates is $7,440. Soon after graduation, fire science degree recipients from Mchenry County College generally make around $24,177. Set against $7,440 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Auburn Career Center landed the #19 spot for fire science value this year. Set in the suburb of Concord Twp, Auburn Career Center is a small public institution. Typical student debt for fire science graduates is $10,807. Graduates go on to earn a median of $37,032 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Clark State Community College earned the #20 position for value in fire science this year. Located in the city of Springfield, Clark State Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,393, with out-of-state students paying around $8,049. Typical student debt for fire science graduates is $20,740. Soon after graduation, fire science degree recipients from Clark State Community College generally make around $39,734. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Milwaukee Area Technical College landed the #21 spot for fire science value this year. Set in the city of Milwaukee, Milwaukee Area Technical College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,184 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,427. Students borrow a median of $18,296 to complete the fire science program here. Fire Science graduates of Milwaukee Area Technical College earn a median of $38,325 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Eastern Gateway Community College came in at #22 for value in fire science this year. Set in the city of Steubenville, Eastern Gateway Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,225 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,071 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,642 to complete the fire science program here. Early-career fire science graduates make about $37,052. Set against $10,642 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Owens Community College ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value fire science schools. Set in the suburb of Perrysburg, Owens Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,870, while out-of-state students pay about $10,502. Typical student debt for fire science graduates is $19,383. Soon after graduation, fire science degree recipients from Owens Community College generally make around $45,785. That is a strong return on a $19,383 median debt.
Fox Valley Technical College earned the #24 position for value in fire science this year. Fox Valley Technical College is a large public school located in the suburb of Appleton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,040, while out-of-state students pay about $7,283. Typical student debt for fire science graduates is $10,000. Soon after graduation, fire science degree recipients from Fox Valley Technical College generally make around $44,020. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Illinois Central College ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value fire science schools. Located in the suburb of East Peoria, Illinois Central College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,800, with out-of-state students paying around $12,150. Students borrow a median of $12,222 to complete the fire science program here. Fire Science graduates of Illinois Central College earn a median of $53,190 early in their careers. Set against $12,222 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rest of the Top 33 Best Value Fire Science Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in fire science:
Narrow Fire Science Schools by State
[Fire Science](/majors/protective-security-safety-services/fire-protection/fire-science/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong fire science education at a price that pays off.
