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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Fire Protection Schools in California

12 Colleges in the United States
3,561 Fire Protection Degrees Awarded
$56,799 Avg Early-Career Salary

Fire Protection degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 64 schools to find the best for fire protection students.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Fire Protection in California

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall fire protection education in California.

Top Schools in Fire Protection

1

Leading the list is California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo, our #1 school for fire protection. This very large public university is located in the suburb of San Luis Obispo. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo awarded about 11 fire protection degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the fire protection program make about $61,010 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $19,273. More information about a degree in fire protection from California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo

2

A rank of #2 makes Santa Rosa Junior College one of the top schools for fire protection. Located in the city of Santa Rosa, Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public university. About 120 fire protection degrees were awarded at Santa Rosa Junior College in the most recent year. Fire Protection graduates of Santa Rosa Junior College earn a median of $80,047 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $14,692. More information about a degree in fire protection from Santa Rosa Junior College

3

A rank of #3 makes California State University San Marcos one of the top schools for fire protection. This large public university is located in the suburb of San Marcos. California State University San Marcos graduates 55% of students within six years. About 18 fire protection degrees were awarded at California State University San Marcos in the most recent year. Fire Protection graduates of California State University San Marcos earn a median of $48,726 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $17,527 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in fire protection from California State University San Marcos

4
College Of San Mateo crest
College Of San Mateo
San Mateo, CA

Students looking for a strong fire protection program will find one at College Of San Mateo, which ranked #4. Set in the city of San Mateo, College Of San Mateo is a large public institution. About 20 fire protection degrees were awarded at College Of San Mateo in the most recent year. Typical student debt for the program is $12,831. More information about a degree in fire protection from College Of San Mateo

5

California State University Los Angeles is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in fire protection, landing the #5 spot this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Los Angeles. California State University Los Angeles graduates 53% of students within six years. About 38 fire protection degrees were awarded at California State University Los Angeles in the most recent year. Fire Protection graduates of California State University Los Angeles earn a median of $48,289 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $11,750. Get the full fire protection details for California State University Los Angeles

6
Shasta College crest
Shasta College
Redding, CA

Shasta College landed the #6 spot for fire protection this year. This large public university is located in the suburb of Redding. Shasta College awarded about 287 fire protection degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their fire protection degree from Shasta College earn around $50,330 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $12,275. More information about a degree in fire protection from Shasta College

7
Butte College crest
Butte College
Oroville, CA

Butte College landed the #7 spot for fire protection this year. Butte College is a large public school located in the rural area of Oroville. Butte College awarded about 94 fire protection degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their fire protection degree from Butte College earn around $67,048 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $13,302 to complete this degree. Get the full fire protection details for Butte College

8
College Of The Canyons crest
College Of The Canyons
Santa Clarita, CA

College Of The Canyons landed the #8 spot for fire protection this year. Located in the suburb of Santa Clarita, College Of The Canyons is a very large public university. About 43 fire protection degrees were awarded at College Of The Canyons in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, fire protection degree recipients from College Of The Canyons generally make around $51,913. Students borrow a median of $9,776 to complete this degree. See the full fire protection program report for College Of The Canyons

9

Modesto Junior College landed the #9 spot for fire protection this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Modesto. Modesto Junior College awarded about 74 fire protection degrees in the most recent data year. Fire Protection graduates of Modesto Junior College earn a median of $50,364 early in their careers. Modesto Junior College graduates carry a median of $8,575 in student loans. More information about a degree in fire protection from Modesto Junior College

10
Rio Hondo College crest
Rio Hondo College
Whittier, CA

Rio Hondo College landed the #10 spot for fire protection this year. This very large public university is located in the rural area of Whittier. About 244 fire protection degrees were awarded at Rio Hondo College in the most recent year. Students who receive their fire protection degree from Rio Hondo College earn around $95,666 in the first couple years of their career. Rio Hondo College graduates carry a median of $15,510 in student loans. Read more about the fire protection program at Rio Hondo College

11
Oxnard College crest
Oxnard College
Oxnard, CA

Oxnard College landed the #11 spot for fire protection this year. Set in the city of Oxnard, Oxnard College is a large public institution. Oxnard College awarded about 166 fire protection degrees in the most recent data year. Read more about the fire protection program at Oxnard College

12

Mt San Antonio College placed #12 among the best fire protection schools. Located in the suburb of Walnut, Mt San Antonio College is a very large public university. There were roughly 96 fire protection students who graduated with this degree at Mt San Antonio College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their fire protection degree from Mt San Antonio College earn around $44,391 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $9,384 to complete this degree. See the full fire protection program report for Mt San Antonio College

13
Moreno Valley College crest
Moreno Valley College
Moreno Valley, CA

Moreno Valley College came in at #13 for fire protection this year. Located in the suburb of Moreno Valley, Moreno Valley College is a large public university. There were roughly 133 fire protection students who graduated with this degree at Moreno Valley College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, fire protection degree recipients from Moreno Valley College generally make around $45,515. Typical student debt for the program is $12,643. Get the full fire protection details for Moreno Valley College

14
Palomar College crest
Palomar College
San Marcos, CA

Palomar College earned the #14 position for fire protection this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of San Marcos. About 168 fire protection degrees were awarded at Palomar College in the most recent year. More information about a degree in fire protection from Palomar College

15

El Camino Community College District placed #15 among the best fire protection schools. Set in the suburb of Torrance, El Camino Community College District is a very large public institution. El Camino Community College District awarded about 59 fire protection degrees in the most recent data year. Get the full fire protection details for El Camino Community College District

16
Las Positas College crest
Las Positas College
Livermore, CA

Las Positas College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best fire protection schools. Set in the city of Livermore, Las Positas College is a large public institution. There were roughly 63 fire protection students who graduated with this degree at Las Positas College in the most recent data year. More information about a degree in fire protection from Las Positas College

17
Mission College crest
Mission College
Santa Clara, CA

Mission College came in at #17 for fire protection this year. Located in the city of Santa Clara, Mission College is a large public university. About 42 fire protection degrees were awarded at Mission College in the most recent year. Typical student debt for the program is $17,223. See the full fire protection program report for Mission College

18

City College Of San Francisco ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best fire protection schools. Located in the city of San Francisco, City College Of San Francisco is a very large public university. City College Of San Francisco awarded about 41 fire protection degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the fire protection program make about $100,031 in their early career. City College Of San Francisco graduates carry a median of $10,332 in student loans. Read more about the fire protection program at City College Of San Francisco

19

San Diego Miramar College earned the #19 position for fire protection this year. This very large public university is located in the city of San Diego. There were roughly 41 fire protection students who graduated with this degree at San Diego Miramar College in the most recent data year. Fire Protection graduates of San Diego Miramar College earn a median of $41,038 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $8,098. Get the full fire protection details for San Diego Miramar College

20

Fresno City College placed #20 among the best fire protection schools. Fresno City College is a very large public school located in the city of Fresno. There were roughly 74 fire protection students who graduated with this degree at Fresno City College in the most recent data year. Fire Protection graduates of Fresno City College earn a median of $37,470 early in their careers. Fresno City College graduates carry a median of $7,234 in student loans. See the full fire protection program report for Fresno City College

21
East Los Angeles College crest
East Los Angeles College
Monterey Park, CA

East Los Angeles College ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best fire protection schools. Set in the suburb of Monterey Park, East Los Angeles College is a very large public institution. There were roughly 172 fire protection students who graduated with this degree at East Los Angeles College in the most recent data year. Fire Protection graduates of East Los Angeles College earn a median of $33,595 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $8,180. Read more about the fire protection program at East Los Angeles College

22

Crafton Hills College ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best fire protection schools. Crafton Hills College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Yucaipa. Crafton Hills College awarded about 44 fire protection degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their fire protection degree from Crafton Hills College earn around $97,976 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,000. Read more about the fire protection program at Crafton Hills College

23
College Of The Desert crest
College Of The Desert
Palm Desert, CA

College Of The Desert came in at #23 for fire protection this year. College Of The Desert is a large public school located in the city of Palm Desert. There were roughly 41 fire protection students who graduated with this degree at College Of The Desert in the most recent data year. Graduates of the fire protection program make about $41,295 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $7,826. More information about a degree in fire protection from College Of The Desert

24
Los Medanos College crest
Los Medanos College
Pittsburg, CA

Los Medanos College placed #24 among the best fire protection schools. This large public university is located in the suburb of Pittsburg. There were roughly 45 fire protection students who graduated with this degree at Los Medanos College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their fire protection degree from Los Medanos College earn around $32,581 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $9,500 to complete this degree. See the full fire protection program report for Los Medanos College

25
Allan Hancock College crest
Allan Hancock College
Santa Maria, CA

Allan Hancock College ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best fire protection schools. Located in the city of Santa Maria, Allan Hancock College is a large public university. Allan Hancock College awarded about 146 fire protection degrees in the most recent data year. Get the full fire protection details for Allan Hancock College

Rest of the Top 45 Fire Protection Schools

These schools also placed among the best for fire protection this year:

26
Long Beach City College crest
Long Beach City College
Long Beach, CA
27
28
Chaffey College crest
Chaffey College
Rancho Cucamonga, CA
29
30
31
American River College crest
American River College
Sacramento, CA
32
Santa Ana College crest
Santa Ana College
Santa Ana, CA
33
Sierra College crest
Sierra College
Rocklin, CA
34
35
36
Victor Valley College crest
Victor Valley College
Victorville, CA
37
38
Bakersfield College crest
Bakersfield College
Bakersfield, CA
39
40
41
42
43
44
Porterville College crest
Porterville College
Porterville, CA
45
Lake Tahoe Community College crest
Lake Tahoe Community College
South Lake Tahoe, CA

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Notes and References

The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 64 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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