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.
College Factual analyzed 486 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value fire protection schools.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in fire protection, balancing cost against outcomes.
For return on investment in fire protection, no school beat University Of Florida this year. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,381, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for fire protection graduates is $12,296. Early-career fire protection graduates make about $86,740. Set against $12,296 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #2 makes Purdue University Global one of the best values for fire protection. Set in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Global is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,101, with out-of-state students paying around $14,412. Fire Protection graduates carry a median of $25,440 in student loans. Soon after graduation, fire protection degree recipients from Purdue University Global generally make around $57,691. That is a strong return on a $25,440 median debt.
California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value fire protection schools. Located in the suburb of San Luis Obispo, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,161 in tuition and fees, compared with $33,230 for out-of-state students. Fire Protection graduates carry a median of $19,273 in student loans. Soon after graduation, fire protection degree recipients from California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo generally make around $61,010. Set against $19,273 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 31% of applicants are accepted.
Columbia Southern University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value fire protection schools. Columbia Southern University is a very large private for-profit school located in the town of Orange Beach. In-state tuition and fees average $6,224. Fire Protection graduates carry a median of $15,874 in student loans. Fire Protection graduates of Columbia Southern University earn a median of $79,022 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a great value for students pursuing a degree in fire protection, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the town of Carbondale, Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,334 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $17,725 to complete the fire protection program here. Early-career fire protection graduates make about $104,017. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
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Explore the best-value fire protection schools at other degree levels:
The ranking above is published 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 2 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.