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

6 Colleges in the United States
$13,001 Avg Student Debt
$40,868 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.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 56 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for fire science students.

What’s on this page:

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2026 Best Value Fire Science Schools in the Southwest 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
College Of The Mainland crest
College Of The Mainland
Texas City, TX

College Of The Mainland tops our 2026 list of the best value fire science schools in the Southwest Region. Located in the city of Texas City, College Of The Mainland is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,310, compared with $4,140 for out-of-state students. Fire Science graduates carry a median of $10,928 in student loans. Fire Science graduates of College Of The Mainland earn a median of $40,788 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,928 median debt.

2

Students looking for strong value in fire science will find it at South Texas College, which ranked #2. Set in the city of McAllen, South Texas College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,920, with out-of-state students paying around $7,620. Fire Science graduates carry a median of $6,868 in student loans. Soon after graduation, fire science degree recipients from South Texas College generally make around $30,227. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

3

Pima Community College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value fire science schools. Pima Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Tucson. Students from in state pay about $2,442 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,758 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for fire science graduates is $10,655. Fire Science graduates of Pima Community College earn a median of $35,059 early in their careers. Set against $10,655 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

4

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Central New Mexico Community College earned it the #4 place for fire science. Set in the city of Albuquerque, Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,060 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,684. Typical student debt for fire science graduates is $10,112. Fire Science graduates of Central New Mexico Community College earn a median of $34,751 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,112 median debt.

5

El Paso Community College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value fire science schools. Set in the city of El Paso, El Paso Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,274, with out-of-state students paying around $5,314. Fire Science graduates carry a median of $8,542 in student loans. Soon after graduation, fire science degree recipients from El Paso Community College generally make around $29,086. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

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6
San Juan College crest
San Juan College
Farmington, NM

San Juan College landed the #6 spot for fire science value this year. Located in the rural area of Farmington, San Juan College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,910, compared with $5,393 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for fire science graduates is $16,150. Fire Science graduates of San Juan College earn a median of $41,697 early in their careers. Set against $16,150 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

7

Eastern New Mexico University Roswell Campus came in at #7 for value in fire science this year. Located in the town of Roswell, Eastern New Mexico University Roswell Campus is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $2,256 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $5,616. Students borrow a median of $11,110 to complete the fire science program here. Soon after graduation, fire science degree recipients from Eastern New Mexico University Roswell Campus generally make around $21,129. That is a strong return on a $11,110 median debt.

8

Tarrant County College District landed the #8 spot for fire science value this year. Set in the city of Fort Worth, Tarrant County College District is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,863, compared with $8,370 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for fire science graduates is $15,148. Fire Science graduates of Tarrant County College District earn a median of $45,158 early in their careers. Set against $15,148 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

9

Oklahoma State University Oklahoma City earned the #9 position for value in fire science this year. Located in the city of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma State University Oklahoma City is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,779, compared with $9,564 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,726 to complete the fire science program here. Early-career fire science graduates make about $45,580. Set against $18,726 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

10

Tulsa Community College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value fire science schools. Set in the city of Tulsa, Tulsa Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,792, with out-of-state students paying around $9,720. Students borrow a median of $15,789 to complete the fire science program here. Soon after graduation, fire science degree recipients from Tulsa Community College generally make around $41,718. That is a strong return on a $15,789 median debt.

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11

Mclennan Community College came in at #11 for value in fire science this year. Set in the city of Waco, Mclennan Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,660, with out-of-state students paying around $5,910. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the fire science program here. Soon after graduation, fire science degree recipients from Mclennan Community College generally make around $47,467. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

12
Amarillo College crest
Amarillo College
Amarillo, TX

Amarillo College landed the #12 spot for fire science value this year. Located in the city of Amarillo, Amarillo College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,136, compared with $4,704 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for fire science graduates is $15,720. Soon after graduation, fire science degree recipients from Amarillo College generally make around $41,053. That is a strong return on a $15,720 median debt.

13

Austin Community College District earned the #13 position for value in fire science this year. Austin Community College District is a very large public school located in the city of Austin. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,550, while out-of-state students pay about $10,590. Typical student debt for fire science graduates is $11,375. Early-career fire science graduates make about $47,024. That is a strong return on a $11,375 median debt.

14

Pontotoc Technology Center came in at #14 for value in fire science this year. Located in the rural area of Ada, Pontotoc Technology Center is a small public university. Soon after graduation, fire science degree recipients from Pontotoc Technology Center generally make around $44,846.

15

North Central Texas College earned the #15 position for value in fire science this year. North Central Texas College is a large public school located in the town of Gainesville. Students from in state pay about $3,600 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $5,739. Fire Science graduates carry a median of $15,965 in student loans. Fire Science graduates of North Central Texas College earn a median of $43,536 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

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16
Yavapai College crest
Yavapai College
Prescott, AZ

Yavapai College earned the #16 position for value in fire science this year. Set in the city of Prescott, Yavapai College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,948, with out-of-state students paying around $9,486. Fire Science graduates carry a median of $14,087 in student loans. Soon after graduation, fire science degree recipients from Yavapai College generally make around $52,087. Set against $14,087 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

17
South Plains College crest
South Plains College
Levelland, TX

South Plains College placed #17 among the best values for fire science. South Plains College is a large public school located in the town of Levelland. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,733, with out-of-state students paying around $5,157. Students borrow a median of $13,788 to complete the fire science program here. Fire Science graduates of South Plains College earn a median of $30,949 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,788 median debt.

18
Hill College crest
Hill College
Hillsboro, TX

Hill College came in at #18 for value in fire science this year. Set in the town of Hillsboro, Hill College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,862. Typical student debt for fire science graduates is $12,302. Fire Science graduates of Hill College earn a median of $33,190 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

19

Houston Community College came in at #19 for value in fire science this year. Located in the city of Houston, Houston Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,040 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,460. Students borrow a median of $19,223 to complete the fire science program here. Early-career fire science graduates make about $39,283. Set against $19,223 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

20

San Jacinto Community College earned the #20 position for value in fire science this year. Located in the city of Pasadena, San Jacinto Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,490 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,690 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,376 to complete the fire science program here. Early-career fire science graduates make about $38,107. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

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21

Lamar Institute Of Technology ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value fire science schools. Located in the city of Beaumont, Lamar Institute Of Technology is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $2,844 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,924. Typical student debt for fire science graduates is $14,278. Fire Science graduates of Lamar Institute Of Technology earn a median of $55,778 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

22
Weatherford College crest
Weatherford College
Weatherford, TX

Weatherford College came in at #22 for value in fire science this year. Set in the town of Weatherford, Weatherford College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,250, while out-of-state students pay about $10,860. Fire Science graduates carry a median of $14,099 in student loans. Early-career fire science graduates make about $48,208. Set against $14,099 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

23
Lone Star College System crest
Lone Star College System
The Woodlands, TX

Lone Star College System came in at #23 for value in fire science this year. Lone Star College System is a very large public school located in the city of The Woodlands. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,664, compared with $7,512 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,425 to complete the fire science program here. Early-career fire science graduates make about $39,954. Set against $10,425 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

24

Eastern Oklahoma County Technology Center placed #24 among the best values for fire science. Located in the rural area of Choctaw, Eastern Oklahoma County Technology Center is a small public university. Graduates go on to earn a median of $49,311 ten years after entry.

25

Tyler Junior College landed the #25 spot for fire science value this year. Tyler Junior College is a large public school located in the city of Tyler. In-state tuition and fees average $2,424, with out-of-state students paying around $4,536. Typical student debt for fire science graduates is $14,869. Soon after graduation, fire science degree recipients from Tyler Junior College generally make around $43,348. That is a strong return on a $14,869 median debt.

Rest of the Top 31 Best Value Fire Science Schools

These schools rounded out the top of this year’s fire science value ranking:

26
27
28
29
30
Navarro College crest
Navarro College
Corsicana, TX
31
Blinn College crest
Blinn College
Brenham, TX

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Notes and References

This list is compiled 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 · 56 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 6 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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