2026 Best Value Fire Science Schools in the The Plains States Region
[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.
College Factual analyzed 27 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value fire science schools.
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2026 Best Value Fire Science Schools in the The Plains States 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
Metropolitan Community College Area earned the #1 spot for value among fire science schools in the The Plains States Region. Located in the city of Omaha, Metropolitan Community College Area is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,375, compared with $4,950 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for fire science graduates is $12,799. Soon after graduation, fire science degree recipients from Metropolitan Community College Area generally make around $45,583. That is a strong return on a $12,799 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in fire science will find it at Hutchinson Community College, which ranked #2. Set in the town of Hutchinson, Hutchinson Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,540, compared with $4,770 for out-of-state students. Fire Science graduates carry a median of $18,148 in student loans. Early-career fire science graduates make about $51,007. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Ozarks Technical Community College earned it the #3 place for fire science. Set in the city of Springfield, Ozarks Technical Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,256, compared with $7,040 for out-of-state students. Fire Science graduates carry a median of $15,866 in student loans. Fire Science graduates of Ozarks Technical Community College earn a median of $36,644 early in their careers. Set against $15,866 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #4 makes Riverland Community College one of the best values for fire science. Set in the town of Austin, Riverland Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,297. Students borrow a median of $15,732 to complete the fire science program here. Early-career fire science graduates make about $49,194. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #5 makes Western Iowa Tech Community College one of the best values for fire science. Set in the city of Sioux City, Western Iowa Tech Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,186 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $5,330. Typical student debt for fire science graduates is $11,886. Early-career fire science graduates make about $35,742. Set against $11,886 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Kirkwood Community College came in at #6 for value in fire science this year. Set in the city of Cedar Rapids, Kirkwood Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,176, while out-of-state students pay about $8,220. Typical student debt for fire science graduates is $15,779. Fire Science graduates of Kirkwood Community College earn a median of $41,681 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Century College came in at #7 for value in fire science this year. Located in the suburb of White Bear Lake, Century College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,214 in tuition and fees. Fire Science graduates carry a median of $21,332 in student loans. Early-career fire science graduates make about $47,502. Set against $21,332 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Hennepin Technical College placed #8 among the best values for fire science. Set in the suburb of Brooklyn Park, Hennepin Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,940. Students borrow a median of $17,887 to complete the fire science program here. Soon after graduation, fire science degree recipients from Hennepin Technical College generally make around $52,059. That is a strong return on a $17,887 median debt.
Johnson County Community College placed #9 among the best values for fire science. Set in the city of Overland Park, Johnson County Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,424 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,688 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for fire science graduates is $13,532. Early-career fire science graduates make about $46,473. Set against $13,532 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Kansas City Kansas Community College came in at #10 for value in fire science this year. Set in the city of Kansas City, Kansas City Kansas Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,996, while out-of-state students pay about $6,482. Typical student debt for fire science graduates is $13,129. Soon after graduation, fire science degree recipients from Kansas City Kansas Community College generally make around $43,216. Set against $13,129 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lake Superior College landed the #11 spot for fire science value this year. Located in the city of Duluth, Lake Superior College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,785 in tuition and fees. Fire Science graduates carry a median of $17,156 in student loans. Fire Science graduates of Lake Superior College earn a median of $42,543 early in their careers. Set against $17,156 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
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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 · 27 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 2 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
