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2026 Best Value Fire Protection Schools in the The Plains States 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
Metropolitan Community College Area earned the #1 spot for value among fire protection schools in the The Plains States Region. Set in the city of Omaha, Metropolitan Community College Area is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,375 in tuition and fees, compared with $4,950 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,799 to complete the fire protection program here. Fire Protection graduates of Metropolitan Community College Area earn a median of $45,583 early in their careers. Set against $12,799 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in fire protection will find it at Hutchinson Community College, which ranked #2. Located in the town of Hutchinson, Hutchinson Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,540, compared with $4,770 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,148 to complete the fire protection program here. Soon after graduation, fire protection degree recipients from Hutchinson Community College generally make around $51,007. That is a strong return on a $18,148 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Metropolitan Community College Kansas City earned it the #3 place for fire protection. Set in the city of Kansas City, Metropolitan Community College Kansas City is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,630, while out-of-state students pay about $9,600. Students borrow a median of $8,750 to complete the fire protection program here. Soon after graduation, fire protection degree recipients from Metropolitan Community College Kansas City generally make around $48,321. Set against $8,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Ozarks Technical Community College earned it the #4 place for fire protection. Ozarks Technical Community College is a large public school located in the city of Springfield. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,256, while out-of-state students pay about $7,040. Typical student debt for fire protection graduates is $15,866. Early-career fire protection graduates make about $36,644. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in fire protection will find it at Riverland Community College, which ranked #5. Set in the town of Austin, Riverland Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,297. Typical student debt for fire protection graduates is $15,732. Early-career fire protection graduates make about $49,194. That is a strong return on a $15,732 median debt.
ADBLOCK #101
Western Iowa Tech Community College landed the #6 spot for fire protection value this year. Set in the city of Sioux City, Western Iowa Tech Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,186, while out-of-state students pay about $5,330. Typical student debt for fire protection graduates is $11,886. Soon after graduation, fire protection degree recipients from Western Iowa Tech Community College generally make around $35,742. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Kirkwood Community College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value fire protection schools. Set in the city of Cedar Rapids, Kirkwood Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,176, while out-of-state students pay about $8,220. Typical student debt for fire protection graduates is $15,779. Fire Protection graduates of Kirkwood Community College earn a median of $41,681 early in their careers. Set against $15,779 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Century College placed #8 among the best values for fire protection. Located in the suburb of White Bear Lake, Century College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,214. Fire Protection graduates carry a median of $21,332 in student loans. Soon after graduation, fire protection degree recipients from Century College generally make around $47,502. Set against $21,332 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Hennepin Technical College landed the #9 spot for fire protection value this year. Set in the suburb of Brooklyn Park, Hennepin Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,940. Students borrow a median of $17,887 to complete the fire protection program here. Early-career fire protection graduates make about $52,059. Set against $17,887 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Johnson County Community College came in at #10 for value in fire protection this year. Johnson County Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Overland Park. In-state tuition and fees average $2,424, while out-of-state students pay about $5,688. Students borrow a median of $13,532 to complete the fire protection program here. Fire Protection graduates of Johnson County Community College earn a median of $46,473 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,532 median debt.
[Fire Protection](/majors/protective-security-safety-services/fire-protection/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
