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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Fire Science Schools in the The Plains States Region

2 Colleges in the United States
311 Fire Science Degrees Awarded
$43,958 Avg Early-Career Salary

Fire Science degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.

College Factual analyzed 27 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best fire science schools.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Fire Science in the The Plains States Region

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall fire science education in the The Plains States Region.

Top Schools in Fire Science

1

Johnson County Community College is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in fire science. Johnson County Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Overland Park. About 46 fire science degrees were awarded at Johnson County Community College in the most recent year. Fire Science graduates of Johnson County Community College earn a median of $46,473 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $13,532. See the full fire science program report for Johnson County Community College

2
Century College crest
Century College
White Bear Lake, MN

Century College is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in fire science, ranking #2. Set in the suburb of White Bear Lake, Century College is a large public institution. There were roughly 18 fire science students who graduated with this degree at Century College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the fire science program make about $47,502 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $21,332 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in fire science from Century College

3

Students looking for a strong fire science program will find one at Lake Superior College, which ranked #3. This moderately-sized public university is located in the city of Duluth. Lake Superior College awarded about 17 fire science degrees in the most recent data year. Fire Science graduates of Lake Superior College earn a median of $42,543 early in their careers. Lake Superior College graduates carry a median of $17,156 in student loans. See the full fire science program report for Lake Superior College

4

Western Iowa Tech Community College is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in fire science, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Sioux City, Western Iowa Tech Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. There were roughly 34 fire science students who graduated with this degree at Western Iowa Tech Community College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the fire science program make about $35,742 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $11,886 to complete this degree. Read more about the fire science program at Western Iowa Tech Community College

5
Kirkwood Community College crest
Kirkwood Community College
Cedar Rapids, IA

Kirkwood Community College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best fire science schools. This large public university is located in the city of Cedar Rapids. About 53 fire science degrees were awarded at Kirkwood Community College in the most recent year. Students who receive their fire science degree from Kirkwood Community College earn around $41,681 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $15,779 to complete this degree. Read more about the fire science program at Kirkwood Community College

6

Metropolitan Community College Area landed the #6 spot for fire science this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Omaha. About 29 fire science degrees were awarded at Metropolitan Community College Area in the most recent year. Graduates of the fire science program make about $45,583 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $12,799 to complete this degree. Read more about the fire science program at Metropolitan Community College Area

7

Hutchinson Community College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best fire science schools. This moderately-sized public university is located in the town of Hutchinson. Hutchinson Community College awarded about 68 fire science degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, fire science degree recipients from Hutchinson Community College generally make around $51,007. Typical student debt for the program is $18,148. See the full fire science program report for Hutchinson Community College

8

Riverland Community College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best fire science schools. Riverland Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Austin. About 12 fire science degrees were awarded at Riverland Community College in the most recent year. Graduates of the fire science program make about $49,194 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $15,732 to complete this degree. Get the full fire science details for Riverland Community College

9

Kansas City Kansas Community College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best fire science schools. Set in the city of Kansas City, Kansas City Kansas Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Kansas City Kansas Community College awarded about 16 fire science degrees in the most recent data year. Fire Science graduates of Kansas City Kansas Community College earn a median of $43,216 early in their careers. Kansas City Kansas Community College graduates carry a median of $13,129 in student loans. Read more about the fire science program at Kansas City Kansas Community College

10

Ozarks Technical Community College earned the #10 position for fire science this year. Ozarks Technical Community College is a large public school located in the city of Springfield. Ozarks Technical Community College awarded about 18 fire science degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, fire science degree recipients from Ozarks Technical Community College generally make around $36,644. Typical student debt for the program is $15,866. Read more about the fire science program at Ozarks Technical Community College

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Notes and References

This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 27 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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