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. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 110 schools to find the best return on investment for fire protection students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in fire protection, balancing cost against outcomes.
St Petersburg College earned the #1 spot for value among fire protection schools in the Southeast Region. St Petersburg College is a very large public school located in the city of St. Petersburg. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,682, while out-of-state students pay about $9,286. Typical student debt for fire protection graduates is $9,557. Early-career fire protection graduates make about $55,829. Set against $9,557 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #2 makes Florida State College At Jacksonville one of the best values for fire protection. Located in the city of Jacksonville, Florida State College At Jacksonville is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,657, while out-of-state students pay about $9,631. Fire Protection graduates carry a median of $19,139 in student loans. Soon after graduation, fire protection degree recipients from Florida State College At Jacksonville generally make around $49,810. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Seminole State College Of Florida earned it the #3 place for fire protection. Seminole State College Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Sanford. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,122, while out-of-state students pay about $11,447. Typical student debt for fire protection graduates is $18,419. Soon after graduation, fire protection degree recipients from Seminole State College Of Florida generally make around $48,049. That is a strong return on a $18,419 median debt.
Florida Gateway College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in fire protection, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the town of Lake City, Florida Gateway College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,100, with out-of-state students paying around $11,747. Students borrow a median of $8,669 to complete the fire protection program here. Soon after graduation, fire protection degree recipients from Florida Gateway College generally make around $41,947. Set against $8,669 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in fire protection will find it at Gulf Coast State College, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Panama City, Gulf Coast State College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,370, compared with $8,635 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for fire protection graduates is $8,286. Early-career fire protection graduates make about $49,086. That is a strong return on a $8,286 median debt.
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Cleveland Community College came in at #6 for value in fire protection this year. Cleveland Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Shelby. In-state tuition and fees average $2,602, compared with $8,746 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,131 to complete the fire protection program here. Soon after graduation, fire protection degree recipients from Cleveland Community College generally make around $39,891. That is a strong return on a $7,131 median debt.
University Of Florida Online placed #7 among the best values for fire protection. University Of Florida Online is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Gainesville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,876, compared with $16,579 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,296 to complete the fire protection program here. Soon after graduation, fire protection degree recipients from University Of Florida Online generally make around $86,740. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.
Central Piedmont Community College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value fire protection schools. Located in the city of Charlotte, Central Piedmont Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,792 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,936 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,861 to complete the fire protection program here. Soon after graduation, fire protection degree recipients from Central Piedmont Community College generally make around $40,629. That is a strong return on a $11,861 median debt.
West Georgia Technical College landed the #9 spot for fire protection value this year. Set in the rural area of Waco, West Georgia Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,410, compared with $5,978 for out-of-state students. Fire Protection graduates carry a median of $12,651 in student loans. Fire Protection graduates of West Georgia Technical College earn a median of $39,922 early in their careers. Set against $12,651 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Fayetteville Technical Community College came in at #10 for value in fire protection this year. Fayetteville Technical Community College is a large public school located in the city of Fayetteville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,628, compared with $8,772 for out-of-state students. Fire Protection graduates carry a median of $16,909 in student loans. Fire Protection graduates of Fayetteville Technical Community College earn a median of $40,584 early in their careers. Set against $16,909 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Hillsborough Community College landed the #11 spot for fire protection value this year. Located in the city of Tampa, Hillsborough Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,491, while out-of-state students pay about $9,088. Students borrow a median of $14,735 to complete the fire protection program here. Soon after graduation, fire protection degree recipients from Hillsborough Community College generally make around $50,331. Set against $14,735 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Indian River State College placed #12 among the best values for fire protection. Set in the suburb of Fort Pierce, Indian River State College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,764 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,201. Typical student debt for fire protection graduates is $5,500. Soon after graduation, fire protection degree recipients from Indian River State College generally make around $47,206. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.
Rowan Cabarrus Community College came in at #13 for value in fire protection this year. Rowan Cabarrus Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Salisbury. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,064, compared with $6,672 for out-of-state students. Fire Protection graduates carry a median of $10,867 in student loans. Fire Protection graduates of Rowan Cabarrus Community College earn a median of $34,351 early in their careers. Set against $10,867 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northwest Florida State College landed the #14 spot for fire protection value this year. Located in the suburb of Niceville, Northwest Florida State College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,583, compared with $10,612 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,566 to complete the fire protection program here. Soon after graduation, fire protection degree recipients from Northwest Florida State College generally make around $52,856. That is a strong return on a $11,566 median debt.
Pasco Hernando Community College landed the #15 spot for fire protection value this year. Located in the suburb of New Port Richey, Pasco Hernando Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,155, while out-of-state students pay about $12,032. Typical student debt for fire protection graduates is $14,908. Early-career fire protection graduates make about $53,856. That is a strong return on a $14,908 median debt.
Albany Technical College earned the #16 position for value in fire protection this year. Set in the city of Albany, Albany Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,364, with out-of-state students paying around $5,932. Fire Protection graduates carry a median of $16,321 in student loans. Soon after graduation, fire protection degree recipients from Albany Technical College generally make around $35,895. Set against $16,321 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Gaston College landed the #17 spot for fire protection value this year. Set in the suburb of Dallas, Gaston College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,186, with out-of-state students paying around $9,330. Students borrow a median of $10,915 to complete the fire protection program here. Fire Protection graduates of Gaston College earn a median of $39,937 early in their careers. Set against $10,915 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Florida placed #18 among the best values for fire protection. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,381, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. Students borrow a median of $12,296 to complete the fire protection program here. Fire Protection graduates of University Of Florida earn a median of $86,740 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,296 median debt. The acceptance rate is 24%.
Miami Dade College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value fire protection schools. Set in the city of Miami, Miami Dade College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,838, compared with $9,661 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,967 to complete the fire protection program here. Soon after graduation, fire protection degree recipients from Miami Dade College generally make around $40,267. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Southern Arkansas University Tech earned the #20 position for value in fire protection this year. Southern Arkansas University Tech is a small public school located in the rural area of Camden. In-state tuition and fees average $5,040, compared with $6,480 for out-of-state students. Fire Protection graduates carry a median of $8,488 in student loans. Fire Protection graduates of Southern Arkansas University Tech earn a median of $34,302 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,488 median debt.
Lanier Technical College placed #21 among the best values for fire protection. Located in the city of Gainesville, Lanier Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,980, with out-of-state students paying around $7,190. Students borrow a median of $12,278 to complete the fire protection program here. Soon after graduation, fire protection degree recipients from Lanier Technical College generally make around $37,118. Set against $12,278 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Eastern Florida State College landed the #22 spot for fire protection value this year. Eastern Florida State College is a large public school located in the city of Melbourne. In-state tuition and fees average $2,791, while out-of-state students pay about $10,976. Students borrow a median of $18,123 to complete the fire protection program here. Fire Protection graduates of Eastern Florida State College earn a median of $44,690 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,123 median debt.
Madisonville Community College earned the #23 position for value in fire protection this year. Located in the town of Madisonville, Madisonville Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,728, while out-of-state students pay about $6,432. Typical student debt for fire protection graduates is $10,985. Fire Protection graduates of Madisonville Community College earn a median of $41,084 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,985 median debt.
Bluegrass Community And Technical College came in at #24 for value in fire protection this year. Bluegrass Community And Technical College is a large public school located in the city of Lexington. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,808, while out-of-state students pay about $6,512. Students borrow a median of $13,366 to complete the fire protection program here. Fire Protection graduates of Bluegrass Community And Technical College earn a median of $44,431 early in their careers. Set against $13,366 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Gateway Community And Technical College landed the #25 spot for fire protection value this year. Set in the suburb of Florence, Gateway Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,728, compared with $6,432 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for fire protection graduates is $11,611. Soon after graduation, fire protection degree recipients from Gateway Community And Technical College generally make around $46,993. That is a strong return on a $11,611 median debt.
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in fire protection:
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This list is compiled 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 · 110 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 18 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.