by our College Data Analytics Team
[Fire Protection](/majors/protective-security-safety-services/fire-protection/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong fire protection education at a price that pays off.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 64 schools to find the best return on investment for fire protection students.
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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 California. College Of San Mateo is a large public school located in the city of San Mateo. In-state tuition and fees average $1,332, while out-of-state students pay about $11,428. Typical student debt for fire protection graduates is $12,831. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $54,172. Set against $12,831 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Oxnard College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in fire protection, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Oxnard, Oxnard College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,426 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,615. Median earnings reach $41,393 ten years out.
Students looking for strong value in fire protection will find it at San Diego Miramar College, which ranked #3. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego Miramar College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,146 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,002 for out-of-state students. Fire Protection graduates carry a median of $8,098 in student loans. Soon after graduation, fire protection degree recipients from San Diego Miramar College generally make around $41,038. That is a strong return on a $8,098 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at College Of The Sequoias earned it the #4 place for fire protection. Set in the city of Visalia, College Of The Sequoias is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,394 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,038. Students borrow a median of $10,288 to complete the fire protection program here. Fire Protection graduates of College Of The Sequoias earn a median of $37,749 early in their careers. Set against $10,288 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Moreno Valley College earned it the #5 place for fire protection. Moreno Valley College is a large public school located in the suburb of Moreno Valley. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,428, with out-of-state students paying around $12,498. 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.
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College Of The Canyons came in at #6 for value in fire protection this year. Set in the suburb of Santa Clarita, College Of The Canyons is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,166, while out-of-state students pay about $10,958. Students borrow a median of $9,776 to complete the fire protection program here. Early-career fire protection graduates make about $51,913. That is a strong return on a $9,776 median debt.
Fresno City College placed #7 among the best values for fire protection. Located in the city of Fresno, Fresno City College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,378, while out-of-state students pay about $8,638. Students borrow a median of $7,234 to complete the fire protection program here. 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.
Mt San Antonio College placed #8 among the best values for fire protection. Mt San Antonio College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Walnut. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,364, while out-of-state students pay about $10,464. Fire Protection graduates carry a median of $9,384 in student loans. Early-career fire protection graduates make about $44,391. That is a strong return on a $9,384 median debt.
Imperial Valley College earned the #9 position for value in fire protection this year. Located in the rural area of Imperial, Imperial Valley College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,126, with out-of-state students paying around $8,830. Students borrow a median of $6,176 to complete the fire protection program here. Soon after graduation, fire protection degree recipients from Imperial Valley College generally make around $42,617. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Shasta College landed the #10 spot for fire protection value this year. Shasta College is a large public school located in the suburb of Redding. In-state tuition and fees average $1,197, compared with $8,853 for out-of-state students. Fire Protection graduates carry a median of $12,275 in student loans. Early-career fire protection graduates make about $50,330. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Victor Valley College placed #11 among the best values for fire protection. Victor Valley College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Victorville. In-state tuition and fees average $1,425, compared with $10,125 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,995 to complete the fire protection program here. Fire Protection graduates of Victor Valley College earn a median of $37,755 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $7,995 median debt.
California State University Los Angeles came in at #12 for value in fire protection this year. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $19,764. Typical student debt for fire protection graduates is $11,750. 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. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Santa Ana College placed #13 among the best values for fire protection. Located in the city of Santa Ana, Santa Ana College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,180, while out-of-state students pay about $10,756. Fire Protection graduates carry a median of $14,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, fire protection degree recipients from Santa Ana College generally make around $50,254. That is a strong return on a $14,500 median debt.
Las Positas College earned the #14 position for value in fire protection this year. Las Positas College is a large public school located in the city of Livermore. In-state tuition and fees average $1,168, compared with $9,808 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $51,088 ten years out.
Solano Community College placed #15 among the best values for fire protection. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $9,772. Fire Protection graduates carry a median of $10,500 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $44,170. Set against $10,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Porterville College earned the #16 position for value in fire protection this year. Porterville College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Porterville. In-state tuition and fees average $1,438, with out-of-state students paying around $11,308. Graduates go on to earn a median of $36,328 ten years after entry.
Butte College ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value fire protection schools. Located in the rural area of Oroville, Butte College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,356, while out-of-state students pay about $9,276. Fire Protection graduates carry a median of $13,302 in student loans. Fire Protection graduates of Butte College earn a median of $67,048 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Sierra College came in at #18 for value in fire protection this year. Sierra College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Rocklin. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,446. Students borrow a median of $12,733 to complete the fire protection program here. Early-career fire protection graduates make about $29,214. Set against $12,733 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
American River College placed #19 among the best values for fire protection. American River College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Sacramento. Students from in state pay about $1,288 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,616. Students borrow a median of $14,105 to complete the fire protection program here. Fire Protection graduates of American River College earn a median of $76,077 early in their careers. Set against $14,105 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Allan Hancock College earned the #20 position for value in fire protection this year. Located in the city of Santa Maria, Allan Hancock College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,156 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,892 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $42,786 ten years out.
Santa Rosa Junior College came in at #21 for value in fire protection this year. Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Rosa. Students from in state pay about $1,318 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,308. Fire Protection graduates carry a median of $14,692 in student loans. Early-career fire protection graduates make about $80,047. That is a strong return on a $14,692 median debt.
El Camino Community College District earned the #22 position for value in fire protection this year. Set in the suburb of Torrance, El Camino Community College District is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,144, with out-of-state students paying around $7,630. Median earnings reach $41,589 ten years out.
Long Beach City College landed the #23 spot for fire protection value this year. Set in the city of Long Beach, Long Beach City College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,556 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,544. Typical student debt for fire protection graduates is $6,000. Graduates go on to earn a median of $38,870 ten years after entry. Set against $6,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mission College earned the #24 position for value in fire protection this year. Located in the city of Santa Clara, Mission College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,438 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,500. Students borrow a median of $17,223 to complete the fire protection program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $50,936 ten years after entry. Set against $17,223 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Bakersfield College placed #25 among the best values for fire protection. Bakersfield College is a very large public school located in the city of Bakersfield. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,430, compared with $11,300 for out-of-state students. Fire Protection graduates carry a median of $9,419 in student loans. Soon after graduation, fire protection degree recipients from Bakersfield College generally make around $86,312. Set against $9,419 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s fire protection value ranking:
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This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 64 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 12 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.