2026 Best Fire Protection Schools
Looking for the best Fire Protection programs programs in the United States? This list ranks 486 schools by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. The rankings below weigh factors such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and admissions selectivity.
To arm you with the information you need, Course Advisor analyzed schools to produce this 2026 ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Fire Protection Schools in the United States
Here are the top-ranked schools:
Southern Illinois University Carbondale earned the #1 spot in this year's ranking in the United States. This public school is set in Carbondale, IL. Southern Illinois University Carbondale graduates 60% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $13,334. Students borrow a median of $17,725 to complete their Fire Protection program here. Get the full Southern Illinois University Carbondale report
The strong Fire Protection programs at North Shore Community College earned it the #2 place in the United States. Set in Danvers, MA, North Shore Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $5,352, compared with $10,920 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,192 to complete their Fire Protection program here. Get the full North Shore Community College report
A rank of #3 makes Columbia Southern University one of the top choices in the United States. Based in Orange Beach, AL, Columbia Southern University is a private for-profit institution. Roughly 26% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $6,224 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $15,874 in student loans. Read more about Columbia Southern University
The strong Fire Protection programs at University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh earned it the #4 place in the United States. This public school is set in Oshkosh, WI. The six-year graduation rate is 54%. Students from in state pay about $8,532 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $16,446. Graduates carry a median of $24,619 in student loans. See the full University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh profile
Out of the 486 schools in the United States in this year's ranking, Colorado State University Fort Collins landed the #5 spot. Set in Fort Collins, CO, Colorado State University Fort Collins is a public institution. About 66% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $13,373 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $35,061. Graduates carry a median of $34,008 in student loans. Get the full Colorado State University Fort Collins report
Moreno Valley College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best Fire Protection schools. Set in Moreno Valley, CA, Moreno Valley College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,428, compared with $12,498 for out-of-state students. The median Fire Protection program debt is $12,643. Get the full Moreno Valley College report
University Of Florida ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best Fire Protection schools. Located in Gainesville, FL, University Of Florida is a public institution. University Of Florida graduates 91% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,381, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. Typical Fire Protection student debt is $12,296. Read more about University Of Florida
Waldorf College did well this year, earning the #8 position. Located in Forest City, IA, Waldorf College is a private for-profit institution. Roughly 24% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $25,978. Students borrow a median of $17,196 to complete their Fire Protection program here. Read the full report on Waldorf College
Santa Ana College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best Fire Protection schools. Set in Santa Ana, CA, Santa Ana College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,180 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,756. Graduates carry a median of $14,500 in student loans. Read the full report on Santa Ana College
University Of Florida Online placed #10 among Fire Protection schools in the United States. This public school is set in Gainesville, FL. University Of Florida Online posts a six-year graduation rate of 75%. In-state tuition and fees average $3,876, with out-of-state students paying around $16,579. The median Fire Protection program debt is $12,296. Read more about University Of Florida Online
Madison Area Technical College placed #11 among Fire Protection schools in the United States. Madison Area Technical College is a public school based in Madison, WI. Students from in state pay about $4,977 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,141. Students borrow a median of $16,812 to complete their Fire Protection program here. See the full Madison Area Technical College profile
Santa Rosa Junior College landed the #12 spot in the United States this year. This public school is set in Santa Rosa, CA. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,318, with out-of-state students paying around $11,308. Santa Rosa Junior College Fire Protection students take on a median of $14,692 in debt. Read more about Santa Rosa Junior College
Oklahoma State University Main Campus ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best Fire Protection schools. Oklahoma State University Main Campus is a public school based in Stillwater, OK. About 68% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $10,110, compared with $25,630 for out-of-state students. Typical Fire Protection student debt is $26,500. Read the full report on Oklahoma State University Main Campus
Schoolcraft College did well this year, earning the #14 position. This public school is set in Livonia, MI. Students from in state pay about $3,799 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,501. Graduates carry a median of $15,677 in student loans. Get the full Schoolcraft College report
Middlesex Community College Bedford did well this year, earning the #15 position. This public school is set in Bedford, MA. Students from in state pay about $6,098 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,170. Graduates carry a median of $11,602 in student loans. More on Middlesex Community College Bedford
Eastern Gateway Community College did well this year, earning the #16 position. Located in Steubenville, OH, Eastern Gateway Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,225, compared with $6,071 for out-of-state students. Typical Fire Protection student debt is $10,642. See the full Eastern Gateway Community College profile
Columbia College South Carolina did well this year, earning the #17 position. Located in Columbia, SC, Columbia College South Carolina is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 37% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $20,054 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $28,158 in student loans. Get the full Columbia College South Carolina report
Mid State Technical College placed #18 among Fire Protection schools in the United States. Mid State Technical College is a public school based in Wisconsin Rapids, WI. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,002, with out-of-state students paying around $7,171. Mid State Technical College Fire Protection students take on a median of $11,626 in debt. See the full Mid State Technical College profile
Bowling Green State University Main Campus landed the #19 spot in the United States this year. Based in Bowling Green, OH, Bowling Green State University Main Campus is a public institution. About 61% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $13,912, compared with $21,900 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,449 to complete their Fire Protection program here. See the full Bowling Green State University Main Campus profile
Fox Valley Technical College came in at #20 in this year's ranking. Set in Appleton, WI, Fox Valley Technical College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,040, compared with $7,283 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,000 to complete their Fire Protection program here. Read more about Fox Valley Technical College
Gateway Technical College landed the #21 spot in the United States this year. Located in Kenosha, WI, Gateway Technical College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $4,956, while out-of-state students pay about $7,199. Students borrow a median of $14,829 to complete their Fire Protection program here. Read more about Gateway Technical College
Northland Community And Technical College did well this year, earning the #22 position. Located in Thief River Falls, MN, Northland Community And Technical College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,289. Graduates carry a median of $18,550 in student loans. Read the full report on Northland Community And Technical College
Western Technical College La Cross came in at #24 in this year's ranking. Based in La Crosse, WI, Western Technical College La Cross is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,820, with out-of-state students paying around $7,078. Students borrow a median of $13,669 to complete their Fire Protection program here. More on Western Technical College La Cross
Macomb Community College came in at #25 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in Warren, MI. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,660, while out-of-state students pay about $8,370. Macomb Community College Fire Protection students take on a median of $9,862 in debt. Get the full Macomb Community College report
Liberty University came in at #26 in this year's ranking. Located in Lynchburg, VA, Liberty University is a private not-for-profit institution. Liberty University graduates 67% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,173. The median Fire Protection program debt is $27,414. Read the full report on Liberty University
Rest of the Top 50 Best Fire Protection Schools in the United States
Not far behind, these schools also made the top of the list:
Mount Wachusett Community College came in at #27 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in Gardner, MA. Students from in state pay about $6,160 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,080. Typical Fire Protection student debt is $11,497. Read the full report on Mount Wachusett Community College
Aims Community College placed #28 among Fire Protection schools in the United States. Aims Community College is a public school based in Greeley, CO. In-state tuition and fees run about $2,258, compared with $11,786 for out-of-state students. The median Fire Protection program debt is $9,750. Read more about Aims Community College
Ehove Career Center landed the #29 spot in the United States this year. This public school is set in Milan, OH. Graduates carry a median of $8,783 in student loans. Read more about Ehove Career Center
Fayetteville State University placed #30 among Fire Protection schools in the United States. Set in Fayetteville, NC, Fayetteville State University is a public institution. Roughly 38% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $4,353, compared with $8,353 for out-of-state students. Fayetteville State University Fire Protection students take on a median of $15,777 in debt. Read the full report on Fayetteville State University
Gardner Webb University placed #31 among Fire Protection schools in the United States. Gardner Webb University is a private not-for-profit school based in Boiling Springs, NC. Gardner Webb University graduates 54% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $34,750. Gardner Webb University Fire Protection students take on a median of $25,033 in debt. See the full Gardner Webb University profile
Fort Myers Technical College ranked #32 on our 2026 list of the best Fire Protection schools. Fort Myers Technical College is a public school based in Fort Myers, FL. Get the full Fort Myers Technical College report
Keiser University Ft Lauderdale came in at #33 in this year's ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in Fort Lauderdale, FL. Roughly 58% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $25,056. The median Fire Protection program debt is $36,416. More on Keiser University Ft Lauderdale
Oakland Community College did well this year, earning the #34 position. Set in Auburn Hills, MI, Oakland Community College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,120, compared with $5,560 for out-of-state students. Typical Fire Protection student debt is $15,865. Read the full report on Oakland Community College
American Public University System placed #35 among Fire Protection schools in the United States. Set in Charles Town, WV, American Public University System is a private for-profit institution. Roughly 47% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,400. Typical Fire Protection student debt is $18,813. More on American Public University System
Century College landed the #36 spot in the United States this year. Century College is a public school based in White Bear Lake, MN. In-state tuition and fees run about $6,214. The median Fire Protection program debt is $21,332. See the full Century College profile
Waukesha County Technical College ranked #37 on our 2026 list of the best Fire Protection schools. Set in Pewaukee, WI, Waukesha County Technical College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,803, while out-of-state students pay about $7,046. The median Fire Protection program debt is $16,595. Get the full Waukesha County Technical College report
Ivy Tech Community College came in at #38 in this year's ranking. Located in Indianapolis, IN, Ivy Tech Community College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,154, compared with $9,935 for out-of-state students. Ivy Tech Community College Fire Protection students take on a median of $11,889 in debt. Read the full report on Ivy Tech Community College
Northcentral Technical College came in at #39 in this year's ranking. Set in Wausau, WI, Northcentral Technical College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,889, compared with $7,132 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,709 to complete their Fire Protection program here. More on Northcentral Technical College
Red Rocks Community College landed the #40 spot in the United States this year. Red Rocks Community College is a public school based in Lakewood, CO. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,859, with out-of-state students paying around $17,459. The median Fire Protection program debt is $14,471. Get the full Red Rocks Community College report
Louisiana State University Eunice placed #41 among Fire Protection schools in the United States. Set in Eunice, LA, Louisiana State University Eunice is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $4,802, compared with $10,166 for out-of-state students. The median Fire Protection program debt is $16,239. Read the full report on Louisiana State University Eunice
Holy Family University ranked #42 on our 2026 list of the best Fire Protection schools. Located in Philadelphia, PA, Holy Family University is a private not-for-profit institution. Holy Family University posts a six-year graduation rate of 60%. In-state tuition and fees average $35,330. Typical Fire Protection student debt is $26,562. Read more about Holy Family University
Mesa State College did well this year, earning the #43 position. This public school is set in Grand Junction, CO. Mesa State College graduates 47% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,927, compared with $25,124 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,310 to complete their Fire Protection program here. Read more about Mesa State College
Bucks County Community College ranked #44 on our 2026 list of the best Fire Protection schools. This public school is set in Newtown, PA. Students from in state pay about $5,646 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $13,926. The median Fire Protection program debt is $13,068. Read more about Bucks County Community College
Walters State Community College ranked #45 on our 2026 list of the best Fire Protection schools. Based in Morristown, TN, Walters State Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $4,752, compared with $17,736 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,210 to complete their Fire Protection program here. Read the full report on Walters State Community College
Lake Superior State University landed the #46 spot in the United States this year. This public school is set in Sault Ste Marie, MI. The six-year graduation rate is 50%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,890. The median Fire Protection program debt is $22,429. See the full Lake Superior State University profile
Mahoning County Career And Technical Center came in at #47 in this year's ranking. Based in Canfield, OH, Mahoning County Career And Technical Center is a public institution. Mahoning County Career And Technical Center Fire Protection students take on a median of $10,431 in debt. Read the full report on Mahoning County Career And Technical Center
University Of Alaska Anchorage placed #48 among Fire Protection schools in the United States. University Of Alaska Anchorage is a public school based in Anchorage, AK. About 28% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,738, while out-of-state students pay about $21,322. Graduates carry a median of $21,787 in student loans. Read the full report on University Of Alaska Anchorage
University Of Cincinnati Main Campus placed #49 among Fire Protection schools in the United States. Set in Cincinnati, OH, University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a public institution. Roughly 74% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $13,363 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,697. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus Fire Protection students take on a median of $23,530 in debt. See the full University Of Cincinnati Main Campus profile
Blackhawk Technical College landed the #50 spot in the United States this year. Based in Janesville, WI, Blackhawk Technical College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,747, with out-of-state students paying around $6,803. Typical Fire Protection student debt is $13,715. Read the full report on Blackhawk Technical College
Lamar Institute Of Technology ranked #51 on our 2026 list of the best Fire Protection schools. This public school is set in Beaumont, TX. Students from in state pay about $2,844 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,924 for out-of-state students. Typical Fire Protection student debt is $14,278. See the full Lamar Institute Of Technology profile
Best Fire Protection Schools by Degree Level
Explore rankings for a specific degree level:
- Best Fire Protection Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Fire Protection Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Fire Protection Associate’s Degree Schools
- Best Fire Protection Bachelor’s Degree Schools
- Best Fire Protection Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Fire Protection Master’s Degree Schools
- Best Fire Protection Doctoral Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
This list is compiled by Course Advisor (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and admissions data drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: Dms College Quality · Scope: Nation. *Averages shown above reflect the top 486 ranked schools only.
References
- Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) — National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education (core institutional data).
- College Scorecard — U.S. Department of Education (graduate earnings and outcomes data).
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