by our College Data Analytics Team
[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 13 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.
Leading the list is Pima Community College, our #1 best value for fire science in Arizona. Located in the city of Tucson, Pima Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,442 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,758. Fire Science graduates carry a median of $10,655 in student loans. Early-career fire science graduates make about $35,059. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in fire science will find it at Yavapai College, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Prescott, Yavapai College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,948, with out-of-state students paying around $9,486. Students borrow a median of $14,087 to complete the fire science program here. Early-career fire science graduates make about $52,087. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in fire science will find it at Glendale Community College Glendale Az, which ranked #3. Set in the suburb of Glendale, Glendale Community College Glendale Az is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,358, compared with $8,959 for out-of-state students. Fire Science graduates carry a median of $15,996 in student loans. Soon after graduation, fire science degree recipients from Glendale Community College Glendale Az generally make around $51,483. That is a strong return on a $15,996 median debt.
Coconino Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in fire science, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the rural area of Flagstaff, Coconino Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $2,907 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,987 for out-of-state students. Fire Science graduates carry a median of $16,011 in student loans. Early-career fire science graduates make about $39,850. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mesa Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in fire science, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Mesa, Mesa Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,358 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,959 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,750 to complete the fire science program here. Fire Science graduates of Mesa Community College earn a median of $54,730 early in their careers. Set against $13,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
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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 · 13 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.