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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Value Fire Science Schools in the Southeast Region

7 Colleges in the United States
$12,530 Avg Student Debt
$40,439 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Fire Science Badge [Fire Science](/majors/protective-security-safety-services/fire-protection/fire-science/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong fire science education at a price that pays off.

College Factual analyzed 77 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value fire science schools.

What’s on this page:

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2026 Best Value Fire Science Schools in the Southeast 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

1
St Petersburg College crest
St Petersburg College
St. Petersburg, FL

Leading the list is St Petersburg College, our #1 best value for fire science in the Southeast Region. Set in the city of St. Petersburg, St Petersburg College is a very large public institution. 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. Fire Science graduates of St Petersburg College earn a median of $55,829 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,557 median debt.

2

Florida State College At Jacksonville came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value fire science schools. Set in the city of Jacksonville, Florida State College At Jacksonville is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,657, with out-of-state students paying around $9,631. Fire Science graduates carry a median of $19,139 in student loans. Soon after graduation, fire science degree recipients from Florida State College At Jacksonville generally make around $49,810. Set against $19,139 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

3

Students looking for strong value in fire science will find it at Seminole State College Of Florida, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Sanford, Seminole State College Of Florida is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,122 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,447. Fire Science graduates carry a median of $18,419 in student loans. Soon after graduation, fire science degree recipients from Seminole State College Of Florida generally make around $48,049. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

4

A rank of #4 makes Florida Gateway College one of the best values for fire science. Florida Gateway College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Lake City. Students from in state pay about $3,100 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,747 for out-of-state students. Fire Science graduates carry a median of $8,669 in student loans. Early-career fire science graduates make about $41,947. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

5
Gulf Coast State College crest
Gulf Coast State College
Panama City, FL

Students looking for strong value in fire science will find it at Gulf Coast State College, which ranked #5. Gulf Coast State College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Panama City. Students from in state pay about $2,370 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,635. Fire Science graduates carry a median of $8,286 in student loans. Fire Science graduates of Gulf Coast State College earn a median of $49,086 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,286 median debt.

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6

University Of Florida Online placed #6 among the best values for fire science. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida Online is a moderately-sized public university. 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. Set against $12,296 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Florida Online admits about 61% of applicants.

7

West Georgia Technical College earned the #7 position for value in fire science this year. Located in the rural area of Waco, West Georgia Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,410, while out-of-state students pay about $5,978. Typical student debt for fire science graduates is $12,651. Fire Science graduates of West Georgia Technical College earn a median of $39,922 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

8

Hillsborough Community College came in at #8 for value in fire science this year. Set in the city of Tampa, Hillsborough Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,491, compared with $9,088 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,735 to complete the fire science program here. Fire Science graduates of Hillsborough Community College earn a median of $50,331 early in their careers. Set against $14,735 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

9

Indian River State College earned the #9 position for value in fire science this year. Located in the suburb of Fort Pierce, Indian River State College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,764, with out-of-state students paying around $10,201. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the fire science program here. Early-career fire science graduates make about $47,206. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

10

Northwest Florida State College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value fire science schools. Northwest Florida State College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Niceville. Students from in state pay about $2,583 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,612 for out-of-state students. Fire Science graduates carry a median of $11,566 in student loans. Fire Science graduates of Northwest Florida State College earn a median of $52,856 early in their careers. Set against $11,566 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

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Pasco Hernando Community College earned the #11 position for value in fire science this year. Set in the suburb of New Port Richey, Pasco Hernando Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,155, while out-of-state students pay about $12,032. Fire Science graduates carry a median of $14,908 in student loans. Fire Science graduates of Pasco Hernando Community College earn a median of $53,856 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,908 median debt.

12

Albany Technical College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value fire science schools. Albany Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Albany. Students from in state pay about $3,364 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $5,932. Typical student debt for fire science graduates is $16,321. Fire Science graduates of Albany Technical College earn a median of $35,895 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

13

Southern Arkansas University Tech came in at #13 for value in fire science this year. Southern Arkansas University Tech is a small public school located in the rural area of Camden. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,040, while out-of-state students pay about $6,480. Typical student debt for fire science graduates is $8,488. Early-career fire science graduates make about $34,302. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

14

Miami Dade College earned the #14 position for value in fire science this year. Set in the city of Miami, Miami Dade College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,838 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,661. Typical student debt for fire science graduates is $11,967. Early-career fire science graduates make about $40,267. That is a strong return on a $11,967 median debt.

15
Lanier Technical College crest
Lanier Technical College
Gainesville, GA

Lanier Technical College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value fire science schools. Located in the city of Gainesville, Lanier Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,980 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,190. Fire Science graduates carry a median of $12,278 in student loans. Soon after graduation, fire science degree recipients from Lanier Technical College generally make around $37,118. That is a strong return on a $12,278 median debt.

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16

Madisonville Community College earned the #16 position for value in fire science this year. Madisonville Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Madisonville. Students from in state pay about $4,728 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,432. Fire Science graduates carry a median of $10,985 in student loans. Fire Science graduates of Madisonville Community College earn a median of $41,084 early in their careers. Set against $10,985 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

17
University Of Florida crest
University Of Florida
Gainesville, FL

University Of Florida ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value fire science schools. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. In-state tuition and fees average $6,381, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. Fire Science graduates carry a median of $12,296 in student loans. Soon after graduation, fire science degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $86,740. That is a strong return on a $12,296 median debt. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.

18

Eastern Florida State College placed #18 among the best values for fire science. Eastern Florida State College is a large public school located in the city of Melbourne. In-state tuition and fees average $2,791, while out-of-state students pay about $10,976. Students borrow a median of $18,123 to complete the fire science program here. Soon after graduation, fire science degree recipients from Eastern Florida State College generally make around $44,690. That is a strong return on a $18,123 median debt.

19

Bluegrass Community And Technical College came in at #19 for value in fire science this year. Bluegrass Community And Technical College is a large public school located in the city of Lexington. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,808, with out-of-state students paying around $6,512. Students borrow a median of $13,366 to complete the fire science program here. Soon after graduation, fire science degree recipients from Bluegrass Community And Technical College generally make around $44,431. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

20

Gateway Community And Technical College earned the #20 position for value in fire science this year. Set in the suburb of Florence, Gateway Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,728 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,432. Fire Science graduates carry a median of $11,611 in student loans. Soon after graduation, fire science degree recipients from Gateway Community And Technical College generally make around $46,993. Set against $11,611 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

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21

Black River Technical College ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value fire science schools. Set in the town of Pocahontas, Black River Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,776, with out-of-state students paying around $7,488. Typical student debt for fire science graduates is $12,420. Early-career fire science graduates make about $41,888. That is a strong return on a $12,420 median debt.

22

Marion Technical College Ocala placed #22 among the best values for fire science. Located in the city of Ocala, Marion Technical College Ocala is a small public university. Students borrow a median of $8,750 to complete the fire science program here. Soon after graduation, fire science degree recipients from Marion Technical College Ocala generally make around $37,678. That is a strong return on a $8,750 median debt.

23
Daytona State College crest
Daytona State College
Daytona Beach, FL

Daytona State College landed the #23 spot for fire science value this year. Daytona State College is a large public school located in the city of Daytona Beach. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,106, with out-of-state students paying around $11,994. Typical student debt for fire science graduates is $6,945. Fire Science graduates of Daytona State College earn a median of $42,696 early in their careers. Set against $6,945 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

24
Edison State College crest
Edison State College
Fort Myers, FL

Edison State College landed the #24 spot for fire science value this year. Edison State College is a large public school located in the suburb of Fort Myers. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,401, with out-of-state students paying around $12,979. Students borrow a median of $13,356 to complete the fire science program here. Soon after graduation, fire science degree recipients from Edison State College generally make around $52,597. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

25

Tallahassee Community College landed the #25 spot for fire science value this year. Tallahassee Community College is a large public school located in the city of Tallahassee. Students from in state pay about $2,026 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,062. Students borrow a median of $16,340 to complete the fire science program here. Soon after graduation, fire science degree recipients from Tallahassee Community College generally make around $40,594. That is a strong return on a $16,340 median debt.

Rest of the Top 41 Best Value Fire Science Schools

These schools also delivered strong value for fire science this year:

26
27
28
29
30
Valencia College crest
Valencia College
Orlando, FL
31
32
33
34
First Coast Technical College crest
First Coast Technical College
Saint Augustine, FL
35
Charlotte Technical College crest
Charlotte Technical College
Port Charlotte, FL
36
37
38
39
40
41
Ridge Technical College crest
Ridge Technical College
Winter Haven, FL

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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 · 77 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 7 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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