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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Value Fire Science Schools in Florida

2 Colleges in the United States
$12,158 Avg Student Debt
$40,948 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Fire Science Badge [Fire Science](/majors/protective-security-safety-services/fire-protection/fire-science/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.

For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 33 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 Florida

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

Best Value Fire Science Schools

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

St Petersburg College tops our 2026 list of the best value fire science schools in Florida. St Petersburg College is a very large public school located in the city of St. Petersburg. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,682, with out-of-state students paying around $9,286. Fire Science graduates carry a median of $9,557 in student loans. Soon after graduation, fire science degree recipients from St Petersburg College generally make around $55,829. That is a strong return on a $9,557 median debt.

2

A rank of #2 makes Florida State College At Jacksonville one of the best values for fire science. Located in the city of Jacksonville, Florida State College At Jacksonville is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,657, while out-of-state students pay about $9,631. Typical student debt for fire science graduates is $19,139. Early-career fire science graduates make about $49,810. Set against $19,139 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

3
Gulf Coast State College crest
Gulf Coast State College
Panama City, FL

Gulf Coast State College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in fire science, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Panama City, Gulf Coast State College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,370, while out-of-state students pay about $8,635. Typical student debt for fire science graduates is $8,286. Early-career fire science graduates make about $49,086. Set against $8,286 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

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. In-state tuition and fees average $3,100, with out-of-state students paying around $11,747. Students borrow a median of $8,669 to complete the fire science program here. Early-career fire science graduates make about $41,947. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

5

A rank of #5 makes Seminole State College Of Florida one of the best values for fire science. Set in the city of Sanford, Seminole State College Of Florida is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,122, while out-of-state students pay about $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. Set against $18,419 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

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6

University Of Florida Online came in at #6 for value in fire science this year. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida Online is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,876 in tuition and fees, compared with $16,579 for out-of-state students. Fire Science graduates carry a median of $12,296 in student loans. Fire Science graduates of University Of Florida Online earn a median of $86,740 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Florida Online admits about 61% of applicants.

7

Hillsborough Community College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value fire science schools. Located in the city of Tampa, Hillsborough Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,491, with out-of-state students paying around $9,088. Typical student debt for fire science graduates is $14,735. Early-career fire science graduates make about $50,331. That is a strong return on a $14,735 median debt.

8

Indian River State College earned the #8 position for value in fire science this year. Indian River State College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fort Pierce. In-state tuition and fees average $2,764, while out-of-state students pay about $10,201. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the fire science program here. Fire Science graduates of Indian River State College earn a median of $47,206 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.

9

Pasco Hernando Community College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value fire science schools. 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. Typical student debt for fire science graduates is $14,908. Soon after graduation, fire science degree recipients from Pasco Hernando Community College generally make around $53,856. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

10

Northwest Florida State College placed #10 among the best values for fire science. Northwest Florida State College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Niceville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,583, compared with $10,612 for out-of-state students. Fire Science graduates carry a median of $11,566 in student loans. Soon after graduation, fire science degree recipients from Northwest Florida State College generally make around $52,856. That is a strong return on a $11,566 median debt.

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11
University Of Florida crest
University Of Florida
Gainesville, FL

University Of Florida came in at #11 for value in fire science this year. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,381, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. Typical student debt for fire science graduates is $12,296. Fire Science graduates of University Of Florida earn a median of $86,740 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,296 median debt. University Of Florida admits about 24% of applicants.

12

Miami Dade College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value fire science schools. Miami Dade College is a very large public school located in the city of Miami. Students from in state pay about $2,838 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,661. Students borrow a median of $11,967 to complete the fire science program here. Fire Science graduates of Miami Dade College earn a median of $40,267 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,967 median debt.

13

Eastern Florida State College landed the #13 spot for fire science value this year. Set in the city of Melbourne, Eastern Florida State College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,791 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,976 for out-of-state students. Fire Science graduates carry a median of $18,123 in student loans. Fire Science graduates of Eastern Florida State College earn a median of $44,690 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,123 median debt.

14
Daytona State College crest
Daytona State College
Daytona Beach, FL

Daytona State College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value fire science schools. Daytona State College is a large public school located in the city of Daytona Beach. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,106, while out-of-state students pay about $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. That is a strong return on a $6,945 median debt.

15
Edison State College crest
Edison State College
Fort Myers, FL

Edison State College landed the #15 spot for fire science value this year. Edison State College is a large public school located in the suburb of Fort Myers. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,401, while out-of-state students pay about $12,979. Fire Science graduates carry a median of $13,356 in student loans. Early-career fire science graduates make about $52,597. Set against $13,356 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

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16

Marion Technical College Ocala earned the #16 position for value in fire science this year. Set in the city of Ocala, Marion Technical College Ocala is a small public institution. Fire Science graduates carry a median of $8,750 in student loans. Fire Science graduates of Marion Technical College Ocala earn a median of $37,678 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

17

Tallahassee Community College came in at #17 for value in fire science this year. Set in the city of Tallahassee, Tallahassee Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,026, compared with $8,062 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,340 to complete the fire science program here. Fire Science graduates of Tallahassee Community College earn a median of $40,594 early in their careers. Set against $16,340 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

18

Manatee Technical College earned the #18 position for value in fire science this year. Manatee Technical College is a small public school located in the suburb of Bradenton. Typical student debt for fire science graduates is $9,726. Early-career fire science graduates make about $38,735. That is a strong return on a $9,726 median debt.

19

Palm Beach State College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value fire science schools. Palm Beach State College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Lake Worth. Students from in state pay about $3,050 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,910. Students borrow a median of $18,971 to complete the fire science program here. Fire Science graduates of Palm Beach State College earn a median of $46,698 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

20

William T Mcfatter Technical College came in at #20 for value in fire science this year. Located in the suburb of Davie, William T Mcfatter Technical College is a small public university. Typical student debt for fire science graduates is $9,500. Soon after graduation, fire science degree recipients from William T Mcfatter Technical College generally make around $28,512. That is a strong return on a $9,500 median debt.

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21
Valencia College crest
Valencia College
Orlando, FL

Valencia College came in at #21 for value in fire science this year. Located in the city of Orlando, Valencia College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,664, while out-of-state students pay about $9,576. Fire Science graduates carry a median of $8,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, fire science degree recipients from Valencia College generally make around $45,657. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

22
First Coast Technical College crest
First Coast Technical College
Saint Augustine, FL

First Coast Technical College placed #22 among the best values for fire science. First Coast Technical College is a small public school located in the suburb of Saint Augustine. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $33,784.

23

George Stone Technical Center ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value fire science schools. Located in the suburb of Pensacola, George Stone Technical Center is a small public university. Soon after graduation, fire science degree recipients from George Stone Technical Center generally make around $39,560.

24
Charlotte Technical College crest
Charlotte Technical College
Port Charlotte, FL

Charlotte Technical College came in at #24 for value in fire science this year. Set in the suburb of Port Charlotte, Charlotte Technical College is a small public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,110, compared with $12,110 for out-of-state students. Fire Science graduates carry a median of $9,875 in student loans. Soon after graduation, fire science degree recipients from Charlotte Technical College generally make around $36,503. That is a strong return on a $9,875 median debt.

25

Fort Myers Technical College came in at #25 for value in fire science this year. Located in the city of Fort Myers, Fort Myers Technical College is a small public university. Soon after graduation, fire science degree recipients from Fort Myers Technical College generally make around $47,397.

Rest of the Top 29 Best Value Fire Science Schools

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

26
27
28
29
Ridge Technical College crest
Ridge Technical College
Winter Haven, FL

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Notes and References

The ranking above is published 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 · 33 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 2 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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