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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Fire Protection Schools in the The Plains States Region

3 Colleges in the United States
471 Fire Protection Degrees Awarded
$48,219 Avg Early-Career Salary

Fire Protection degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. The schools below stand out for the quality of their fire protection programs.

For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 33 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for fire protection students pursuing a degree.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Fire Protection in the The Plains States Region

If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the fire protection degrees they offer, see the list below.

Top Schools in Fire Protection

1
Waldorf College crest
Waldorf College
Forest City, IA

Our analysis ranked Waldorf College the best school in the country for a degree in fire protection. Located in the rural area of Forest City, Waldorf College is a mid-sized private for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 24%. Waldorf College awarded about 64 fire protection degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the fire protection program make about $86,882 in their early career. Waldorf College graduates carry a median of $17,196 in student loans. More information about a degree in fire protection from Waldorf College

2

Johnson County Community College is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in fire protection, ranking #2. Johnson County Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Overland Park. Johnson County Community College awarded about 46 fire protection degrees in the most recent data year. Fire Protection graduates of Johnson County Community College earn a median of $46,473 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $13,532 to complete this degree. See the full fire protection program report for Johnson County Community College

3
Century College crest
Century College
White Bear Lake, MN

Century College is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in fire protection, landing the #3 spot this year. This large public university is located in the suburb of White Bear Lake. Century College awarded about 18 fire protection degrees in the most recent data year. Fire Protection graduates of Century College earn a median of $47,502 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $21,332 to complete this degree. Get the full fire protection details for Century College

4

Students looking for a strong fire protection program will find one at Lake Superior College, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Duluth, Lake Superior College is a moderately-sized public university. Lake Superior College awarded about 35 fire protection degrees in the most recent data year. Fire Protection graduates of Lake Superior College earn a median of $42,543 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $17,156 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in fire protection from Lake Superior College

5

Western Iowa Tech Community College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best fire protection schools. Western Iowa Tech Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Sioux City. Western Iowa Tech Community College awarded about 34 fire protection degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, fire protection degree recipients from Western Iowa Tech Community College generally make around $35,742. Typical student debt for the program is $11,886. Get the full fire protection details for Western Iowa Tech Community College

6
Hennepin Technical College crest
Hennepin Technical College
Brooklyn Park, MN

Hennepin Technical College came in at #6 for fire protection this year. Located in the suburb of Brooklyn Park, Hennepin Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. About 25 fire protection degrees were awarded at Hennepin Technical College in the most recent year. Fire Protection graduates of Hennepin Technical College earn a median of $52,059 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $17,887. See the full fire protection program report for Hennepin Technical College

7
Kirkwood Community College crest
Kirkwood Community College
Cedar Rapids, IA

Kirkwood Community College placed #7 among the best fire protection schools. This large public university is located in the city of Cedar Rapids. There were roughly 53 fire protection students who graduated with this degree at Kirkwood Community College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the fire protection program make about $41,681 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $15,779 to complete this degree. Read more about the fire protection program at Kirkwood Community College

8

Metropolitan Community College Kansas City came in at #8 for fire protection this year. Located in the city of Kansas City, Metropolitan Community College Kansas City is a large public university. There were roughly 53 fire protection students who graduated with this degree at Metropolitan Community College Kansas City in the most recent data year. Students who receive their fire protection degree from Metropolitan Community College Kansas City earn around $48,321 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $8,750 to complete this degree. Read more about the fire protection program at Metropolitan Community College Kansas City

9

Metropolitan Community College Area placed #9 among the best fire protection schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Omaha. There were roughly 29 fire protection students who graduated with this degree at Metropolitan Community College Area in the most recent data year. Fire Protection graduates of Metropolitan Community College Area earn a median of $45,583 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $12,799 to complete this degree. See the full fire protection program report for Metropolitan Community College Area

10

Hutchinson Community College came in at #10 for fire protection this year. Hutchinson Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Hutchinson. There were roughly 68 fire protection students who graduated with this degree at Hutchinson Community College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the fire protection program make about $51,007 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $18,148. See the full fire protection program report for Hutchinson Community College

11

Riverland Community College came in at #11 for fire protection this year. Located in the town of Austin, Riverland Community College is a mid-sized public university. About 12 fire protection degrees were awarded at Riverland Community College in the most recent year. Fire Protection graduates of Riverland Community College earn a median of $49,194 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $15,732. Read more about the fire protection program at Riverland Community College

12

Kansas City Kansas Community College earned the #12 position for fire protection this year. Kansas City Kansas Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Kansas City. About 16 fire protection degrees were awarded at Kansas City Kansas Community College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, fire protection degree recipients from Kansas City Kansas Community College generally make around $43,216. Students borrow a median of $13,129 to complete this degree. Read more about the fire protection program at Kansas City Kansas Community College

13

Ozarks Technical Community College earned the #13 position for fire protection this year. This large public university is located in the city of Springfield. About 18 fire protection degrees were awarded at Ozarks Technical Community College in the most recent year. Students who receive their fire protection degree from Ozarks Technical Community College earn around $36,644 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $15,866. More information about a degree in fire protection from Ozarks Technical Community College

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Notes and References

This ranking is produced 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 · 33 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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