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 best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 86 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes 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.
Our analysis ranked Moraine Valley Community College the best value for a degree in fire protection in the Great Lakes Region. Set in the suburb of Palos Hills, Moraine Valley Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,822, while out-of-state students pay about $9,846. Fire Protection graduates carry a median of $11,149 in student loans. Early-career fire protection graduates make about $43,844. That is a strong return on a $11,149 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Lansing Community College earned it the #2 place for fire protection. Set in the city of Lansing, Lansing Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,100, while out-of-state students pay about $11,300. Students borrow a median of $16,700 to complete the fire protection program here. Early-career fire protection graduates make about $46,103. That is a strong return on a $16,700 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in fire protection will find it at Lewis And Clark Community College, which ranked #3. Located in the suburb of Godfrey, Lewis And Clark Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,340, compared with $7,840 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for fire protection graduates is $9,602. Fire Protection graduates of Lewis And Clark Community College earn a median of $41,313 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Macomb Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in fire protection, landing the #4 spot this year. Macomb Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Warren. In-state tuition and fees average $3,660, compared with $8,370 for out-of-state students. Fire Protection graduates carry a median of $9,862 in student loans. Early-career fire protection graduates make about $38,758. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Oakland Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in fire protection, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Auburn Hills, Oakland Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,120, while out-of-state students pay about $5,560. Typical student debt for fire protection graduates is $15,865. Early-career fire protection graduates make about $44,178. Set against $15,865 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
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Lincoln Land Community College earned the #6 position for value in fire protection this year. Lincoln Land Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Springfield. Students from in state pay about $3,744 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,464. Fire Protection graduates carry a median of $11,272 in student loans. Soon after graduation, fire protection degree recipients from Lincoln Land Community College generally make around $43,834. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Prairie State College came in at #7 for value in fire protection this year. Set in the suburb of Chicago Heights, Prairie State College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,176 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,064. Fire Protection graduates carry a median of $15,663 in student loans. Early-career fire protection graduates make about $37,500. Set against $15,663 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Harper College earned the #8 position for value in fire protection this year. Located in the suburb of Palatine, Harper College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,894, with out-of-state students paying around $11,874. Fire Protection graduates carry a median of $10,963 in student loans. Fire Protection graduates of Harper College earn a median of $44,523 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Joliet Junior College placed #9 among the best values for fire protection. Located in the suburb of Joliet, Joliet Junior College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,530, with out-of-state students paying around $13,800. Typical student debt for fire protection graduates is $11,995. Soon after graduation, fire protection degree recipients from Joliet Junior College generally make around $40,118. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Elgin Community College placed #10 among the best values for fire protection. Elgin Community College is a large public school located in the city of Elgin. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,252, while out-of-state students pay about $9,516. Fire Protection graduates carry a median of $7,727 in student loans. Early-career fire protection graduates make about $43,975. That is a strong return on a $7,727 median debt.
Waubonsee Community College landed the #11 spot for fire protection value this year. Located in the rural area of Sugar Grove, Waubonsee Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,504, while out-of-state students pay about $10,464. Typical student debt for fire protection graduates is $9,939. Fire Protection graduates of Waubonsee Community College earn a median of $39,659 early in their careers. Set against $9,939 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Sinclair Community College came in at #12 for value in fire protection this year. Located in the city of Dayton, Sinclair Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,675, compared with $8,556 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for fire protection graduates is $10,950. Soon after graduation, fire protection degree recipients from Sinclair Community College generally make around $35,348. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of Dupage placed #13 among the best values for fire protection. Located in the suburb of Glen Ellyn, College Of Dupage is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,560, compared with $12,750 for out-of-state students. Fire Protection graduates carry a median of $12,492 in student loans. Soon after graduation, fire protection degree recipients from College Of Dupage generally make around $58,160. That is a strong return on a $12,492 median debt.
College Of Lake County placed #14 among the best values for fire protection. Set in the suburb of Grayslake, College Of Lake County is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,788, with out-of-state students paying around $14,400. Students borrow a median of $9,785 to complete the fire protection program here. Fire Protection graduates of College Of Lake County earn a median of $50,314 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,785 median debt.
Stark State College placed #15 among the best values for fire protection. Set in the suburb of North Canton, Stark State College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,790 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,886. Students borrow a median of $17,349 to complete the fire protection program here. Early-career fire protection graduates make about $42,724. That is a strong return on a $17,349 median debt.
Ivy Tech Community College landed the #16 spot for fire protection value this year. Located in the city of Indianapolis, Ivy Tech Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,154, with out-of-state students paying around $9,935. Students borrow a median of $11,889 to complete the fire protection program here. Soon after graduation, fire protection degree recipients from Ivy Tech Community College generally make around $40,734. Set against $11,889 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
John Wood Community College landed the #17 spot for fire protection value this year. Set in the town of Quincy, John Wood Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,100, compared with $8,700 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,844 to complete the fire protection program here. Early-career fire protection graduates make about $45,748. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Southwestern Illinois College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value fire protection schools. Located in the suburb of Belleville, Southwestern Illinois College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,230, compared with $6,720 for out-of-state students. Fire Protection graduates carry a median of $12,750 in student loans. Early-career fire protection graduates make about $77,935. Set against $12,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Columbus State Community College came in at #19 for value in fire protection this year. Set in the city of Columbus, Columbus State Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,488 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,224. Students borrow a median of $9,041 to complete the fire protection program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $39,435 ten years after entry. Set against $9,041 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mchenry County College landed the #20 spot for fire protection value this year. Located in the rural area of Crystal Lake, Mchenry County College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,162, compared with $14,399 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,440 to complete the fire protection program here. Fire Protection graduates of Mchenry County College earn a median of $24,177 early in their careers. Set against $7,440 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Clark State Community College ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value fire protection schools. Clark State Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Springfield. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,393, while out-of-state students pay about $8,049. Students borrow a median of $20,740 to complete the fire protection program here. Fire Protection graduates of Clark State Community College earn a median of $39,734 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Milwaukee Area Technical College came in at #22 for value in fire protection this year. Milwaukee Area Technical College is a very large public school located in the city of Milwaukee. In-state tuition and fees average $5,184, compared with $7,427 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for fire protection graduates is $18,296. Fire Protection graduates of Milwaukee Area Technical College earn a median of $38,325 early in their careers. Set against $18,296 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Auburn Career Center came in at #23 for value in fire protection this year. Located in the suburb of Concord Twp, Auburn Career Center is a small public university. Students borrow a median of $10,807 to complete the fire protection program here. Median earnings reach $37,032 ten years out. Set against $10,807 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Owens Community College came in at #24 for value in fire protection this year. Set in the suburb of Perrysburg, Owens Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,870, with out-of-state students paying around $10,502. Students borrow a median of $19,383 to complete the fire protection program here. Soon after graduation, fire protection degree recipients from Owens Community College generally make around $45,785. Set against $19,383 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northeast Wisconsin Technical College came in at #25 for value in fire protection this year. Located in the city of Green Bay, Northeast Wisconsin Technical College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,960, compared with $7,203 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,997 to complete the fire protection program here. Fire Protection graduates of Northeast Wisconsin Technical College earn a median of $42,016 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in fire protection:
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This ranking is produced 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 · 86 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 17 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.