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2026 Best Value Wildl&/Forest Firefighting & Investigation Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the wildl&/forest firefighting & investigation degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Wildl&/Forest Firefighting & Investigation Schools
Our analysis ranked Victor Valley College the best value for a degree in wildl&/forest firefighting & investigation in the United States. Victor Valley College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Victorville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,425, with out-of-state students paying around $10,125. Wildl&/forest Firefighting & Investigation graduates carry a median of $7,995 in student loans. Soon after graduation, wildl&/forest firefighting & investigation degree recipients from Victor Valley College generally make around $37,755. Set against $7,995 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Central New Mexico Community College earned it the #2 place for wildl&/forest firefighting & investigation. Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Albuquerque. In-state tuition and fees average $2,060, compared with $8,684 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for wildl&/forest firefighting & investigation graduates is $10,112. Early-career wildl&/forest firefighting & investigation graduates make about $34,751. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Allan Hancock College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value wildl&/forest firefighting & investigation schools. Set in the city of Santa Maria, Allan Hancock College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,156, compared with $9,892 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,786 ten years after entry.
A rank of #4 makes Bakersfield College one of the best values for wildl&/forest firefighting & investigation. Bakersfield College is a very large public school located in the city of Bakersfield. Students from in state pay about $1,430 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,300. Wildl&/forest Firefighting & Investigation graduates carry a median of $9,419 in student loans. Early-career wildl&/forest firefighting & investigation graduates make about $86,312. Set against $9,419 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in wildl&/forest firefighting & investigation will find it at Antelope Valley College, which ranked #5. Set in the suburb of Lancaster, Antelope Valley College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,124, while out-of-state students pay about $9,548. Students borrow a median of $10,729 to complete the wildl&/forest firefighting & investigation program here. Wildl&/forest Firefighting & Investigation graduates of Antelope Valley College earn a median of $50,744 early in their careers. Set against $10,729 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
ADBLOCK #101
Aims Community College came in at #6 for value in wildl&/forest firefighting & investigation this year. Set in the city of Greeley, Aims Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,258, compared with $11,786 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,750 to complete the wildl&/forest firefighting & investigation program here. Soon after graduation, wildl&/forest firefighting & investigation degree recipients from Aims Community College generally make around $45,909. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Pikes Peak Community College landed the #7 spot for wildl&/forest firefighting & investigation value this year. Pikes Peak Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Colorado Springs. Students from in state pay about $4,510 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,110 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,066 to complete the wildl&/forest firefighting & investigation program here. Soon after graduation, wildl&/forest firefighting & investigation degree recipients from Pikes Peak Community College generally make around $41,037. That is a strong return on a $16,066 median debt.
Central Oregon Community College came in at #8 for value in wildl&/forest firefighting & investigation this year. Central Oregon Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Bend. In-state tuition and fees average $5,683, while out-of-state students pay about $15,246. Typical student debt for wildl&/forest firefighting & investigation graduates is $16,250. Early-career wildl&/forest firefighting & investigation graduates make about $52,183. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Fox Valley Technical College placed #9 among the best values for wildl&/forest firefighting & investigation. Located in the suburb of Appleton, Fox Valley Technical College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,040, while out-of-state students pay about $7,283. Students borrow a median of $10,000 to complete the wildl&/forest firefighting & investigation program here. Early-career wildl&/forest firefighting & investigation graduates make about $44,020. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rio Hondo College came in at #10 for value in wildl&/forest firefighting & investigation this year. Rio Hondo College is a very large public school located in the rural area of Whittier. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,388, with out-of-state students paying around $9,884. Students borrow a median of $15,510 to complete the wildl&/forest firefighting & investigation program here. Soon after graduation, wildl&/forest firefighting & investigation degree recipients from Rio Hondo College generally make around $95,666. Set against $15,510 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
[Wildl&/Forest Firefighting & Investigation](/majors/protective-security-safety-services/fire-protection/wildland-forest-firefighting-and-investigation/) 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.
