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2026 Best Value Fire Science Schools in Texas
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in fire science, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Fire Science Schools
College Of The Mainland tops our 2026 list of the best value fire science schools in Texas. Set in the city of Texas City, College Of The Mainland is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,310, with out-of-state students paying around $4,140. Students borrow a median of $10,928 to complete the fire science program here. Soon after graduation, fire science degree recipients from College Of The Mainland generally make around $40,788. Set against $10,928 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #2 makes South Texas College one of the best values for fire science. Set in the city of McAllen, South Texas College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,920, with out-of-state students paying around $7,620. Typical student debt for fire science graduates is $6,868. Soon after graduation, fire science degree recipients from South Texas College generally make around $30,227. That is a strong return on a $6,868 median debt.
A rank of #3 makes El Paso Community College one of the best values for fire science. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $5,314. Typical student debt for fire science graduates is $8,542. Early-career fire science graduates make about $29,086. That is a strong return on a $8,542 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Tarrant County College District earned it the #4 place for fire science. Set in the city of Fort Worth, Tarrant County College District is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,863, compared with $8,370 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,148 to complete the fire science program here. Soon after graduation, fire science degree recipients from Tarrant County College District generally make around $45,158. That is a strong return on a $15,148 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in fire science will find it at Amarillo College, which ranked #5. Amarillo College is a large public school located in the city of Amarillo. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,136, compared with $4,704 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for fire science graduates is $15,720. Early-career fire science graduates make about $41,053. Set against $15,720 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
ADBLOCK #101
Mclennan Community College came in at #6 for value in fire science this year. Located in the city of Waco, Mclennan Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,660 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,910 for out-of-state students. Fire Science graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Fire Science graduates of Mclennan Community College earn a median of $47,467 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Austin Community College District ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value fire science schools. Located in the city of Austin, Austin Community College District is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,550, while out-of-state students pay about $10,590. Students borrow a median of $11,375 to complete the fire science program here. Early-career fire science graduates make about $47,024. Set against $11,375 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
North Central Texas College landed the #8 spot for fire science value this year. Set in the town of Gainesville, North Central Texas College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,600, while out-of-state students pay about $5,739. Students borrow a median of $15,965 to complete the fire science program here. Fire Science graduates of North Central Texas College earn a median of $43,536 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,965 median debt.
Hill College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value fire science schools. Hill College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Hillsboro. Students from in state pay about $2,862 in tuition and fees. 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. Set against $12,302 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
South Plains College placed #10 among the best values for fire science. Set in the town of Levelland, South Plains College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,733, compared with $5,157 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for fire science graduates is $13,788. Soon after graduation, fire science degree recipients from South Plains College generally make around $30,949. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Houston Community College landed the #11 spot for fire science value this year. Houston Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Houston. Students from in state pay about $2,040 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,460 for out-of-state students. Fire Science graduates carry a median of $19,223 in student loans. Fire Science graduates of Houston Community College earn a median of $39,283 early in their careers. Set against $19,223 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
San Jacinto Community College landed the #12 spot for fire science value this year. Set in the city of Pasadena, San Jacinto Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,490, while out-of-state students pay about $6,690. Students borrow a median of $11,376 to complete the fire science program here. Soon after graduation, fire science degree recipients from San Jacinto Community College generally make around $38,107. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lamar Institute Of Technology ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value fire science schools. Lamar Institute Of Technology is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Beaumont. Students from in state pay about $2,844 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,924 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for fire science graduates is $14,278. Soon after graduation, fire science degree recipients from Lamar Institute Of Technology generally make around $55,778. Set against $14,278 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Weatherford College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value fire science schools. Set in the town of Weatherford, Weatherford College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,250, compared with $10,860 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for fire science graduates is $14,099. Fire Science graduates of Weatherford College earn a median of $48,208 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,099 median debt.
Lone Star College System earned the #15 position for value in fire science this year. Set in the city of The Woodlands, Lone Star College System is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,664, while out-of-state students pay about $7,512. Fire Science graduates carry a median of $10,425 in student loans. Fire Science graduates of Lone Star College System earn a median of $39,954 early in their careers. Set against $10,425 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
[Fire Science](/majors/protective-security-safety-services/fire-protection/fire-science/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
