2026 Best Value Fire Protection Bachelor’s Degree Schools

1

Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice
New York, NY

Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice earned the #1 spot for value among fire protection schools in the United States. Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice is a large public school located in the city of New York. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,470, compared with $15,420 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,500 to complete the fire protection program here. Early-career fire protection graduates make about $48,121. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.

2

California State University Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA

A rank of #2 makes California State University Los Angeles one of the best values for fire protection. Located in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,164, compared with $19,764 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,750 to complete the fire protection program here. Soon after graduation, fire protection degree recipients from California State University Los Angeles generally make around $48,289. Set against $11,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Los Angeles admits about 91% of applicants.

3

University Of Florida Online
Gainesville, FL

A rank of #3 makes University Of Florida Online one of the best values for fire protection. University Of Florida Online is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Gainesville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,876, while out-of-state students pay about $16,579. Students borrow a median of $12,296 to complete the fire protection program here. Fire Protection graduates of University Of Florida Online earn a median of $86,740 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,296 median debt. University Of Florida Online admits about 61% of applicants.

4

Fayetteville State University
Fayetteville, NC

A rank of #4 makes Fayetteville State University one of the best values for fire protection. Fayetteville State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Fayetteville. Students from in state pay about $4,353 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,353 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,777 to complete the fire protection program here. Early-career fire protection graduates make about $67,586. That is a strong return on a $15,777 median debt. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.

5

Utah Valley University
Orem, UT

A rank of #5 makes Utah Valley University one of the best values for fire protection. Set in the city of Orem, Utah Valley University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,507, with out-of-state students paying around $18,489. Students borrow a median of $20,036 to complete the fire protection program here. Early-career fire protection graduates make about $60,522. That is a strong return on a $20,036 median debt.

6

American Public University System
Charles Town, WV

American Public University System earned the #6 position for value in fire protection this year. American Public University System is a very large private for-profit school located in the town of Charles Town. Students from in state pay about $8,400 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $19,434 to complete the fire protection program here. Early-career fire protection graduates make about $73,302. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

7

California State University San Marcos
San Marcos, CA

California State University San Marcos ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value fire protection schools. Located in the suburb of San Marcos, California State University San Marcos is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,082, compared with $20,682 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for fire protection graduates is $17,527. Fire Protection graduates of California State University San Marcos earn a median of $48,726 early in their careers. Set against $17,527 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.

8

Eastern Kentucky University
Richmond, KY

Eastern Kentucky University placed #8 among the best values for fire protection. Eastern Kentucky University is a large public school located in the town of Richmond. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,320, while out-of-state students pay about $21,230. Typical student debt for fire protection graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, fire protection degree recipients from Eastern Kentucky University generally make around $66,617. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Eastern Kentucky University admits about 78% of applicants.

9

Western Illinois University
Macomb, IL

Western Illinois University landed the #9 spot for fire protection value this year. Located in the town of Macomb, Western Illinois University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $14,572 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for fire protection graduates is $22,723. Early-career fire protection graduates make about $41,432. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Western Illinois University admits about 71% of applicants.

10

New Jersey City University
Jersey City, NJ

New Jersey City University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value fire protection schools. New Jersey City University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Jersey City. In-state tuition and fees average $14,460. Typical student debt for fire protection graduates is $26,000. Early-career fire protection graduates make about $54,600. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. New Jersey City University admits about 98% of applicants.

11

Purdue University Global
West Lafayette, IN

Purdue University Global earned the #11 position for value in fire protection this year. Set in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Global is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,101 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $14,412. Students borrow a median of $29,636 to complete the fire protection program here. Early-career fire protection graduates make about $89,622. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

12

Metropolitan State College Of Denver
Denver, CO

Metropolitan State College Of Denver placed #12 among the best values for fire protection. Metropolitan State College Of Denver is a very large public school located in the city of Denver. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,124, compared with $30,684 for out-of-state students. Fire Protection graduates carry a median of $27,484 in student loans. Early-career fire protection graduates make about $44,861. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.

13

Columbia Southern University
Orange Beach, AL

Columbia Southern University came in at #13 for value in fire protection this year. Set in the town of Orange Beach, Columbia Southern University is a very large private for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,224. Students borrow a median of $21,248 to complete the fire protection program here. Early-career fire protection graduates make about $82,718. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

14

University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh
Oshkosh, WI

University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh earned the #14 position for value in fire protection this year. University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh is a large public school located in the city of Oshkosh. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,532, while out-of-state students pay about $16,446. Fire Protection graduates carry a median of $24,619 in student loans. Soon after graduation, fire protection degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh generally make around $50,590. Set against $24,619 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.

15

Southern Illinois University Carbondale
Carbondale, IL

Southern Illinois University Carbondale landed the #15 spot for fire protection value this year. Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a large public school located in the town of Carbondale. In-state tuition and fees average $13,334. Fire Protection graduates carry a median of $17,725 in student loans. Early-career fire protection graduates make about $104,017. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Southern Illinois University Carbondale admits about 87% of applicants.

16

Eastern Oregon University
La Grande, OR

Eastern Oregon University ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value fire protection schools. Eastern Oregon University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of La Grande. Students from in state pay about $11,184 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $24,729. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the fire protection program here. Early-career fire protection graduates make about $58,911. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.

17

Salem State University
Salem, MA

Salem State University placed #17 among the best values for fire protection. Salem State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Salem. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,338, while out-of-state students pay about $19,531. Typical student debt for fire protection graduates is $27,176. Early-career fire protection graduates make about $49,656. Set against $27,176 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.

18

Bowling Green State University Main Campus
Bowling Green, OH

Bowling Green State University Main Campus came in at #18 for value in fire protection this year. Set in the town of Bowling Green, Bowling Green State University Main Campus is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,912, with out-of-state students paying around $21,900. Fire Protection graduates carry a median of $25,449 in student loans. Fire Protection graduates of Bowling Green State University Main Campus earn a median of $45,196 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,449 median debt. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.

19

Waldorf College
Forest City, IA

Waldorf College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value fire protection schools. Waldorf College is a mid-sized private for-profit school located in the rural area of Forest City. Students from in state pay about $25,978 in tuition and fees. Fire Protection graduates carry a median of $21,783 in student loans. Early-career fire protection graduates make about $97,731. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Waldorf College admits about 77% of applicants.

20

University Of Cincinnati Main Campus
Cincinnati, OH

University Of Cincinnati Main Campus ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value fire protection schools. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Cincinnati. Students from in state pay about $13,363 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,697. Fire Protection graduates carry a median of $23,530 in student loans. Soon after graduation, fire protection degree recipients from University Of Cincinnati Main Campus generally make around $58,659. That is a strong return on a $23,530 median debt. The acceptance rate is 85%.

21

Anna Maria College
Paxton, MA

Anna Maria College placed #21 among the best values for fire protection. Located in the rural area of Paxton, Anna Maria College is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $44,571. Fire Protection graduates carry a median of $22,875 in student loans. Soon after graduation, fire protection degree recipients from Anna Maria College generally make around $81,637. That is a strong return on a $22,875 median debt. Anna Maria College admits about 50% of applicants.

22

Liberty University
Lynchburg, VA

Liberty University ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value fire protection schools. Set in the city of Lynchburg, Liberty University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $16,173 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for fire protection graduates is $27,414. Soon after graduation, fire protection degree recipients from Liberty University generally make around $45,877. Set against $27,414 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Liberty University admits about 99% of applicants.

23

Methodist University
Fayetteville, NC

Methodist University ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value fire protection schools. Methodist University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Fayetteville. Students from in state pay about $41,250 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the fire protection program here. Early-career fire protection graduates make about $30,637. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Methodist University admits about 75% of applicants.

24

University Of New Haven
West Haven, CT

University Of New Haven landed the #24 spot for fire protection value this year. University Of New Haven is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of West Haven. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $47,332. Fire Protection graduates carry a median of $26,375 in student loans. Soon after graduation, fire protection degree recipients from University Of New Haven generally make around $57,392. That is a strong return on a $26,375 median debt. The acceptance rate is 60%.