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2026 Best Value Fire Protection Schools in the Southwest Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the fire protection degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Fire Protection Schools
Leading the list is College Of The Mainland, our #1 best value for fire protection in the Southwest Region. Set in the city of Texas City, College Of The Mainland is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,310 in tuition and fees, compared with $4,140 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for fire protection graduates is $10,928. Soon after graduation, fire protection degree recipients from College Of The Mainland generally make around $40,788. Set against $10,928 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
South Texas College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in fire protection, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of McAllen, South Texas College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,920 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,620. Students borrow a median of $6,868 to complete the fire protection program here. Soon after graduation, fire protection degree recipients from South Texas College generally make around $30,227. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #3 makes Pima Community College one of the best values for fire protection. Pima Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Tucson. Students from in state pay about $2,442 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,758 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,655 to complete the fire protection program here. Fire Protection graduates of Pima Community College earn a median of $35,059 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #4 makes Central New Mexico Community College one of the best values for fire protection. Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Albuquerque. Students from in state pay about $2,060 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,684 for out-of-state students. Fire Protection graduates carry a median of $10,112 in student loans. Fire Protection graduates of Central New Mexico Community College earn a median of $34,751 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
El Paso Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in fire protection, landing the #5 spot this year. El Paso Community College is a very large public school located in the city of El Paso. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,274, compared with $5,314 for out-of-state students. Fire Protection graduates carry a median of $8,542 in student loans. Soon after graduation, fire protection degree recipients from El Paso Community College generally make around $29,086. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
ADBLOCK #101
El Centro College landed the #6 spot for fire protection value this year. El Centro College is a very large public school located in the city of Dallas. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,730, compared with $6,900 for out-of-state students. Fire Protection graduates carry a median of $14,557 in student loans. Fire Protection graduates of El Centro College earn a median of $41,295 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
San Juan College came in at #7 for value in fire protection this year. Located in the rural area of Farmington, San Juan College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,910, compared with $5,393 for out-of-state students. Fire Protection graduates carry a median of $16,150 in student loans. Soon after graduation, fire protection degree recipients from San Juan College generally make around $41,697. That is a strong return on a $16,150 median debt.
Eastern New Mexico University Roswell Campus ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value fire protection schools. Set in the town of Roswell, Eastern New Mexico University Roswell Campus is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,256, while out-of-state students pay about $5,616. Fire Protection graduates carry a median of $11,110 in student loans. Early-career fire protection graduates make about $21,129. Set against $11,110 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Tarrant County College District landed the #9 spot for fire protection value this year. Located in the city of Fort Worth, Tarrant County College District is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,863 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,370. Typical student debt for fire protection graduates is $15,148. Fire Protection graduates of Tarrant County College District earn a median of $45,158 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
San Antonio College earned the #10 position for value in fire protection this year. Located in the city of San Antonio, San Antonio College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,412, while out-of-state students pay about $9,952. Typical student debt for fire protection graduates is $11,839. Soon after graduation, fire protection degree recipients from San Antonio College generally make around $37,855. Set against $11,839 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Oklahoma State University Oklahoma City landed the #11 spot for fire protection value this year. Located in the city of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma State University Oklahoma City is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,779, with out-of-state students paying around $9,564. Students borrow a median of $18,726 to complete the fire protection program here. Fire Protection graduates of Oklahoma State University Oklahoma City earn a median of $45,580 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Tulsa Community College landed the #12 spot for fire protection value this year. Located in the city of Tulsa, Tulsa Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,792, with out-of-state students paying around $9,720. Students borrow a median of $15,789 to complete the fire protection program here. Fire Protection graduates of Tulsa Community College earn a median of $41,718 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,789 median debt.
Mclennan Community College came in at #13 for value in fire protection this year. Located in the city of Waco, Mclennan Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,660, compared with $5,910 for out-of-state students. Fire Protection graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Early-career fire protection graduates make about $47,467. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Amarillo College landed the #14 spot for fire protection value this year. Located in the city of Amarillo, Amarillo College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,136, with out-of-state students paying around $4,704. Students borrow a median of $15,720 to complete the fire protection program here. Fire Protection graduates of Amarillo College earn a median of $41,053 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,720 median debt.
Austin Community College District ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value fire protection schools. Set in the city of Austin, Austin Community College District is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,550 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,590 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,375 to complete the fire protection program here. Fire Protection graduates of Austin Community College District earn a median of $47,024 early in their careers. Set against $11,375 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Hill College came in at #21 for value in fire protection this year. Located in the town of Hillsboro, Hill College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,862. Students borrow a median of $12,302 to complete the fire protection program here. Fire Protection graduates of Hill College earn a median of $33,190 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,302 median debt.
San Jacinto Community College ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value fire protection schools. Located in the city of Pasadena, San Jacinto Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,490 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,690. Students borrow a median of $11,376 to complete the fire protection program here. Fire Protection graduates of San Jacinto Community College earn a median of $38,107 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,376 median debt.
Lamar Institute Of Technology ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value fire protection schools. Located in the city of Beaumont, Lamar Institute Of Technology is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,844, compared with $12,924 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for fire protection graduates is $14,278. Fire Protection graduates of Lamar Institute Of Technology earn a median of $55,778 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Weatherford College earned the #24 position for value in fire protection this year. Weatherford College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Weatherford. Students from in state pay about $5,250 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,860 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,099 to complete the fire protection program here. Fire Protection graduates of Weatherford College earn a median of $48,208 early in their careers. Set against $14,099 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Collin County Community College District landed the #25 spot for fire protection value this year. Set in the suburb of McKinney, Collin County Community College District is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,014, compared with $6,064 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,716 to complete the fire protection program here. Early-career fire protection graduates make about $42,177. That is a strong return on a $9,716 median debt.
Rest of the Top 34 Best Value Fire Protection Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for fire protection this year:
Narrow Fire Protection Schools by State
[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.
