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. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong fire protection education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 25 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value fire protection schools.
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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.
Colorado Mountain College tops our 2026 list of the best value fire protection schools in the Rocky Mountains Region. Set in the town of Glenwood Springs, Colorado Mountain College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,616, while out-of-state students pay about $12,840. Typical student debt for fire protection graduates is $12,953. Early-career fire protection graduates make about $48,694. That is a strong return on a $12,953 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Community College Of Aurora earned it the #2 place for fire protection. Set in the city of Aurora, Community College Of Aurora is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,470, while out-of-state students pay about $17,070. Typical student debt for fire protection graduates is $15,365. Early-career fire protection graduates make about $38,587. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Utah Valley University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in fire protection, landing the #3 spot this year. Utah Valley University is a very large public school located in the city of Orem. In-state tuition and fees average $6,507, with out-of-state students paying around $18,489. Students borrow a median of $15,203 to complete the fire protection program here. Early-career fire protection graduates make about $60,522. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #4 makes College Of Western Idaho one of the best values for fire protection. Located in the rural area of Nampa, College Of Western Idaho is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,446, compared with $7,454 for out-of-state students. Fire Protection graduates carry a median of $12,497 in student loans. Soon after graduation, fire protection degree recipients from College Of Western Idaho generally make around $40,963.
Casper College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in fire protection, landing the #5 spot this year. Casper College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Casper. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,410, with out-of-state students paying around $10,710. Students borrow a median of $12,598 to complete the fire protection program here. Soon after graduation, fire protection degree recipients from Casper College generally make around $49,729. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
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Red Rocks Community College came in at #6 for value in fire protection this year. Set in the suburb of Lakewood, Red Rocks Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,859, compared with $17,459 for out-of-state students. Fire Protection graduates carry a median of $14,471 in student loans. Fire Protection graduates of Red Rocks Community College earn a median of $76,340 early in their careers. Set against $14,471 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Aims Community College earned the #7 position for value in fire protection this year. Set in the city of Greeley, Aims Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,258, while out-of-state students pay about $11,786. Students borrow a median of $9,750 to complete the fire protection program here. Early-career fire protection graduates make about $44,470. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Bridgerland Technical College came in at #8 for value in fire protection this year. Set in the city of Logan, Bridgerland Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. Fire Protection graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, fire protection degree recipients from Bridgerland Technical College generally make around $28,884. That is a strong return on a $12,000 median debt.
Pikes Peak Community College came in at #9 for value in fire protection this year. Located in the suburb of Colorado Springs, Pikes Peak Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,510, while out-of-state students pay about $17,110. Typical student debt for fire protection graduates is $16,066. Soon after graduation, fire protection degree recipients from Pikes Peak Community College generally make around $41,037. Set against $16,066 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Pueblo Community College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value fire protection schools. Pueblo Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Pueblo. In-state tuition and fees average $5,049, compared with $17,649 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for fire protection graduates is $14,106. Soon after graduation, fire protection degree recipients from Pueblo Community College generally make around $42,377. Set against $14,106 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Davis Technical College landed the #11 spot for fire protection value this year. Davis Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Kaysville. Typical student debt for fire protection graduates is $6,262. Fire Protection graduates of Davis Technical College earn a median of $34,093 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Metropolitan State College Of Denver ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value fire protection schools. Located in the city of Denver, Metropolitan State College Of Denver is a very large public university. 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. Fire Protection graduates of Metropolitan State College Of Denver earn a median of $44,861 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,484 median debt. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
The ranking above is published 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 · 25 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 6 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.