by our College Data Analytics Team
[Fire Protection](/majors/protective-security-safety-services/fire-protection/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 486 schools to find the best return on investment for fire protection students.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the fire protection degrees they offer, see the list below.
College Of San Mateo earned the #1 spot for value among fire protection schools in the United States. Set in the city of San Mateo, College Of San Mateo is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,332, while out-of-state students pay about $11,428. Fire Protection graduates carry a median of $12,831 in student loans. Median earnings reach $54,172 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Moraine Valley Community College earned it the #2 place for fire protection. Moraine Valley Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Palos Hills. Students from in state pay about $3,822 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,846 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,149 to complete the fire protection program here. Soon after graduation, fire protection degree recipients from Moraine Valley Community College generally make around $43,844. That is a strong return on a $11,149 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at College Of The Canyons earned it the #3 place for fire protection. Set in the suburb of Santa Clarita, College Of The Canyons is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,166, while out-of-state students pay about $10,958. Typical student debt for fire protection graduates is $9,776. Soon after graduation, fire protection degree recipients from College Of The Canyons generally make around $51,913. That is a strong return on a $9,776 median debt.
Oxnard College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value fire protection schools. Located in the city of Oxnard, Oxnard College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,426, with out-of-state students paying around $9,615. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $41,393.
Students looking for strong value in fire protection will find it at Fresno City College, which ranked #5. Fresno City College is a very large public school located in the city of Fresno. In-state tuition and fees average $1,378, with out-of-state students paying around $8,638. Typical student debt for fire protection graduates is $7,234. Fire Protection graduates of Fresno City College earn a median of $37,470 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $7,234 median debt.
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San Diego Miramar College landed the #6 spot for fire protection value this year. San Diego Miramar College is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. In-state tuition and fees average $1,146, with out-of-state students paying around $10,002. Fire Protection graduates carry a median of $8,098 in student loans. Fire Protection graduates of San Diego Miramar College earn a median of $41,038 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,098 median debt.
Mt San Antonio College placed #7 among the best values for fire protection. Mt San Antonio College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Walnut. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,364, compared with $10,464 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for fire protection graduates is $9,384. Early-career fire protection graduates make about $44,391. Set against $9,384 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of The Sequoias came in at #8 for value in fire protection this year. Set in the city of Visalia, College Of The Sequoias is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,394, with out-of-state students paying around $9,038. Students borrow a median of $10,288 to complete the fire protection program here. Soon after graduation, fire protection degree recipients from College Of The Sequoias generally make around $37,749. Set against $10,288 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Moreno Valley College came in at #9 for value in fire protection this year. Set in the suburb of Moreno Valley, Moreno Valley College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,428, compared with $12,498 for out-of-state students. Fire Protection graduates carry a median of $12,643 in student loans. Fire Protection graduates of Moreno Valley College earn a median of $45,515 early in their careers. Set against $12,643 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Victor Valley College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value fire protection schools. Set in the suburb of Victorville, Victor Valley College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,425 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,125. Typical student debt for fire protection graduates is $7,995. Soon after graduation, fire protection degree recipients from Victor Valley College generally make around $37,755. That is a strong return on a $7,995 median debt.
Middlesex Community College Bedford earned the #11 position for value in fire protection this year. Located in the suburb of Bedford, Middlesex Community College Bedford is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,098 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,170. Students borrow a median of $11,602 to complete the fire protection program here. Early-career fire protection graduates make about $48,427. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
South Texas College placed #12 among the best values for fire protection. 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, compared with $7,620 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $6,868 to complete the fire protection program here. Soon after graduation, fire protection degree recipients from South Texas College generally make around $30,227. Set against $6,868 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Santa Ana College came in at #13 for value in fire protection this year. Located in the city of Santa Ana, Santa Ana College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,180 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,756. Fire Protection graduates carry a median of $14,000 in student loans. Fire Protection graduates of Santa Ana College earn a median of $53,847 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Central New Mexico Community College landed the #14 spot for fire protection value this year. Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Albuquerque. In-state tuition and fees average $2,060, compared with $8,684 for out-of-state students. Fire Protection graduates carry a median of $10,112 in student loans. Early-career fire protection graduates make about $34,751. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cleveland Community College placed #15 among the best values for fire protection. Cleveland Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Shelby. Students from in state pay about $2,602 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,746. Students borrow a median of $7,131 to complete the fire protection program here. Early-career fire protection graduates make about $39,891. Set against $7,131 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Las Positas College came in at #16 for value in fire protection this year. Located in the city of Livermore, Las Positas College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,168, with out-of-state students paying around $9,808. Median earnings reach $51,088 ten years out.
Santa Rosa Junior College placed #17 among the best values for fire protection. Located in the city of Santa Rosa, Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,318, compared with $11,308 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for fire protection graduates is $14,692. Early-career fire protection graduates make about $80,047. Set against $14,692 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Bates Technical College placed #18 among the best values for fire protection. Set in the city of Tacoma, Bates Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,027, while out-of-state students pay about $12,165. Graduates go on to earn a median of $50,051 ten years after entry.
Clover Park Technical College landed the #19 spot for fire protection value this year. Set in the city of Lakewood, Clover Park Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,634. Fire Protection graduates carry a median of $15,154 in student loans. Soon after graduation, fire protection degree recipients from Clover Park Technical College generally make around $42,209. That is a strong return on a $15,154 median debt.
Suffolk County Community College earned the #20 position for value in fire protection this year. Set in the suburb of Selden, Suffolk County Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,630, compared with $12,460 for out-of-state students. Fire Protection graduates carry a median of $11,246 in student loans. Early-career fire protection graduates make about $35,667. Set against $11,246 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Metropolitan Community College Area ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value fire protection schools. Metropolitan Community College Area is a very large public school located in the city of Omaha. In-state tuition and fees average $3,375, with out-of-state students paying around $4,950. Students borrow a median of $12,799 to complete the fire protection program here. Soon after graduation, fire protection degree recipients from Metropolitan Community College Area generally make around $45,583. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Solano Community College came in at #22 for value in fire protection this year. Set in the suburb of Fairfield, Solano Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,172 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,772. Students borrow a median of $10,500 to complete the fire protection program here. Median earnings reach $44,170 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $10,500 median debt.
El Paso Community College ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value fire protection schools. Located in the city of El Paso, El Paso Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,274, while out-of-state students pay about $5,314. Fire Protection graduates carry a median of $8,542 in student loans. Soon after graduation, fire protection degree recipients from El Paso Community College generally make around $29,086. Set against $8,542 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
West Georgia Technical College landed the #24 spot for fire protection value this year. Set in the rural area of Waco, West Georgia Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,410, while out-of-state students pay about $5,978. Students borrow a median of $12,651 to complete the fire protection program here. Soon after graduation, fire protection degree recipients from West Georgia Technical College generally make around $39,922. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
El Camino Community College District ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value fire protection schools. Located in the suburb of Torrance, El Camino Community College District is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,144, with out-of-state students paying around $7,630. Median earnings reach $41,589 ten years out.
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in fire protection:
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Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Fire Protection rankings across degree levels:
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 · 486 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 68 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.