by our College Data Analytics Team
[Fire Protection](/majors/protective-security-safety-services/fire-protection/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 22 schools to find the best return on investment for fire protection students.
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Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in fire protection, balancing cost against outcomes.
Cleveland Community College earned the #1 spot for value among fire protection schools in North Carolina. Located in the town of Shelby, Cleveland Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,602, while out-of-state students pay about $8,746. Typical student debt for fire protection graduates is $7,131. Early-career fire protection graduates make about $39,891. Set against $7,131 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Central Piedmont Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in fire protection, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Charlotte, Central Piedmont Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,792, with out-of-state students paying around $8,936. Students borrow a median of $11,861 to complete the fire protection program here. Fire Protection graduates of Central Piedmont Community College earn a median of $40,629 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,861 median debt.
Fayetteville Technical Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in fire protection, landing the #3 spot this year. Fayetteville Technical Community College is a large public school located in the city of Fayetteville. In-state tuition and fees average $2,628, while out-of-state students pay about $8,772. Typical student debt for fire protection graduates is $16,909. 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.
Rowan Cabarrus Community College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value fire protection schools. Located in the suburb of Salisbury, Rowan Cabarrus Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,064, with out-of-state students paying around $6,672. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in fire protection will find it at Gaston College, which ranked #5. Set in the suburb of Dallas, Gaston College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,186, while out-of-state students pay about $9,330. Students borrow a median of $10,915 to complete the fire protection program here. Soon after graduation, fire protection degree recipients from Gaston College generally make around $39,937. That is a strong return on a $10,915 median debt.
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Fayetteville State University landed the #6 spot for fire protection value this year. Set in the city of Fayetteville, Fayetteville State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,353 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,353. Students borrow a median of $15,777 to complete the fire protection program here. Early-career fire protection graduates make about $67,586. That is a strong return on a $15,777 median debt. Fayetteville State University admits about 82% of applicants.
Sandhills Community College placed #7 among the best values for fire protection. Set in the rural area of Pinehurst, Sandhills Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,040, compared with $6,648 for out-of-state students. Fire Protection graduates carry a median of $9,238 in student loans. Fire Protection graduates of Sandhills Community College earn a median of $46,492 early in their careers. Set against $9,238 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Guilford Technical Community College placed #8 among the best values for fire protection. Guilford Technical Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Jamestown. Students from in state pay about $2,320 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,696. Fire Protection graduates carry a median of $20,501 in student loans. Soon after graduation, fire protection degree recipients from Guilford Technical Community College generally make around $36,124. Set against $20,501 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Methodist University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value fire protection schools. Methodist University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Fayetteville. In-state tuition and fees average $41,250. Fire Protection graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career fire protection graduates make about $30,637. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Methodist University admits about 75% of applicants.
This list is compiled 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 · 22 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 5 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.