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2026 Best Value Fire Protection Schools in Florida
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in fire protection, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Fire Protection Schools
St Petersburg College earned the #1 spot for value among fire protection schools in Florida. St Petersburg College is a very large public school located in the city of St. Petersburg. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,682, while out-of-state students pay about $9,286. Fire Protection graduates carry a median of $9,557 in student loans. Fire Protection graduates of St Petersburg College earn a median of $55,829 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,557 median debt.
Florida State College At Jacksonville is a great value for students pursuing a degree in fire protection, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Jacksonville, Florida State College At Jacksonville is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,657 in tuition and fees, 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.
Gulf Coast State College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value fire protection schools. Located in the city of Panama City, Gulf Coast State College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $2,370 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,635. Typical student debt for fire protection graduates is $8,286. Fire Protection graduates of Gulf Coast State College earn a median of $49,086 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,286 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in fire protection will find it at Florida Gateway College, which ranked #4. Located in the town of Lake City, Florida Gateway College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,100, compared with $11,747 for out-of-state students. Fire Protection graduates carry a median of $8,669 in student loans. Fire Protection graduates of Florida Gateway College earn a median of $41,947 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Seminole State College Of Florida is a great value for students pursuing a degree in fire protection, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Sanford, Seminole State College Of Florida is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,122 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,447. Students borrow a median of $18,419 to complete the fire protection program here. Fire Protection graduates of Seminole State College Of Florida earn a median of $48,049 early in their careers. Set against $18,419 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
ADBLOCK #101
University Of Florida Online ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value fire protection schools. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida Online is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,876, with out-of-state students paying around $16,579. 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. Set against $12,296 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Florida Online admits about 61% of applicants.
Hillsborough Community College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value fire protection schools. Set in the city of Tampa, Hillsborough Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,491, compared with $9,088 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for fire protection graduates is $14,735. Early-career fire protection graduates make about $50,331. That is a strong return on a $14,735 median debt.
Indian River State College landed the #8 spot for fire protection value this year. Located in the suburb of Fort Pierce, Indian River State College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,764, compared with $10,201 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the fire protection program here. Early-career fire protection graduates make about $47,206. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Florida came in at #9 for value in fire protection this year. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. 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 generally make around $86,740. Set against $12,296 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
Northwest Florida State College earned the #10 position for value in fire protection this year. Located in the suburb of Niceville, Northwest Florida State College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,583, while out-of-state students pay about $10,612. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
[Fire Protection](/majors/protective-security-safety-services/fire-protection/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
