2026 Best Fire Protection Associate’s Degree Schools
Looking for the best Fire Protection associate’s degree programs in the United States? We have ranked 486 institutions by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. Each school below is scored on factors such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and admissions selectivity.
So you can compare your options, Course Advisor evaluated schools to compile 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 Associate’s Degree Schools in the United States
Explore the leading schools below:
Leading the list is North Shore Community College, our #1 Fire Protection school in the United States. Based in Danvers, MA, North Shore Community College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,352, while out-of-state students pay about $10,920. Students borrow a median of $10,192 to complete their Fire Protection program here. Read more about North Shore Community College
The strong Fire Protection programs at Columbia Southern University earned it the #2 place in the United States. Columbia Southern University is a private for-profit school based in Orange Beach, AL. About 26% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,224. Graduates carry a median of $15,874 in student loans. Read more about Columbia Southern University
The strong Fire Protection programs at Waldorf College earned it the #3 place in the United States. Set in Forest City, IA, Waldorf College is a private for-profit institution. Waldorf College graduates 24% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $25,978. Typical Fire Protection student debt is $17,196. Read more about Waldorf College
A rank of #4 makes Moreno Valley College one of the top choices in the United States. Moreno Valley College is a public school based in Moreno Valley, CA. In-state tuition and fees average $1,428, while out-of-state students pay about $12,498. Typical Fire Protection student debt is $12,643. More on Moreno Valley College
Schoolcraft College landed the #6 spot in the United States this year. Schoolcraft College is a public school based in Livonia, MI. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,799, while out-of-state students pay about $6,501. Schoolcraft College Fire Protection students take on a median of $15,677 in debt. See the full Schoolcraft College profile
Madison Area Technical College did well this year, earning the #7 position. This public school is set in Madison, WI. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,977, with out-of-state students paying around $7,141. Typical Fire Protection student debt is $16,812. Read the full report on Madison Area Technical College
Santa Rosa Junior College placed #8 among Fire Protection schools in the United States. This public school is set in Santa Rosa, CA. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,318, compared with $11,308 for out-of-state students. Santa Rosa Junior College Fire Protection students take on a median of $14,692 in debt. More on Santa Rosa Junior College
Middlesex Community College Bedford did well this year, earning the #9 position. Set in Bedford, MA, Middlesex Community College Bedford is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,098 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,170. Middlesex Community College Bedford Fire Protection students take on a median of $11,602 in debt. Read the full report on Middlesex Community College Bedford
Eastern Gateway Community College landed the #10 spot in the United States this year. This public school is set in Steubenville, OH. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,225, with out-of-state students paying around $6,071. Eastern Gateway Community College Fire Protection students take on a median of $10,642 in debt. Read the full report on Eastern Gateway Community College
Fox Valley Technical College came in at #11 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in Appleton, WI. In-state tuition and fees average $5,040, compared with $7,283 for out-of-state students. Typical Fire Protection student debt is $10,000. Read the full report on Fox Valley Technical College
Mid State Technical College did well this year, earning the #12 position. Located in Wisconsin Rapids, WI, Mid State Technical College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,002, while out-of-state students pay about $7,171. Mid State Technical College Fire Protection students take on a median of $11,626 in debt. Read the full report on Mid State Technical College
Century College came in at #13 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in White Bear Lake, MN. In-state tuition and fees average $6,214. The median Fire Protection program debt is $21,332. Get the full Century College report
American Public University System did well this year, earning the #14 position. This private for-profit school is set in Charles Town, WV. The six-year graduation rate is 47%. Students from in state pay about $8,400 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $18,813 in student loans. Read more about American Public University System
Northland Community And Technical College did well this year, earning the #15 position. This public school is set in Thief River Falls, MN. Students from in state pay about $6,289 in tuition and fees. Typical Fire Protection student debt is $18,550. More on Northland Community And Technical College
Western Technical College La Cross came in at #16 in this year's ranking. Set in La Crosse, WI, Western Technical College La Cross is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $4,820, with out-of-state students paying around $7,078. Western Technical College La Cross Fire Protection students take on a median of $13,669 in debt. Read more about Western Technical College La Cross
Macomb Community College ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best Fire Protection schools. Based in Warren, MI, Macomb Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,660, while out-of-state students pay about $8,370. Students borrow a median of $9,862 to complete their Fire Protection program here. Get the full Macomb Community College report
Mount Wachusett Community College did well this year, earning the #18 position. This public school is set in Gardner, MA. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,160, with out-of-state students paying around $11,080. Mount Wachusett Community College Fire Protection students take on a median of $11,497 in debt. Read more about Mount Wachusett Community College
Northcentral Technical College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best Fire Protection schools. Northcentral Technical College is a public school based in Wausau, WI. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,889, while out-of-state students pay about $7,132. The median Fire Protection program debt is $11,709. More on Northcentral Technical College
Red Rocks Community College landed the #20 spot in the United States this year. Located in Lakewood, CO, Red Rocks Community College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,859, with out-of-state students paying around $17,459. Graduates carry a median of $14,471 in student loans. More on Red Rocks Community College
Ivy Tech Community College ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best Fire Protection schools. Located in Indianapolis, IN, Ivy Tech Community College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,154 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,935 for out-of-state students. The median Fire Protection program debt is $11,889. Read more about Ivy Tech Community College
Santa Ana College did well this year, earning the #22 position. Set in Santa Ana, CA, Santa Ana College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $1,180, with out-of-state students paying around $10,756. Graduates carry a median of $14,500 in student loans. More on Santa Ana College
Keiser University Ft Lauderdale ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best Fire Protection schools. Set in Fort Lauderdale, FL, Keiser University Ft Lauderdale is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 58%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $25,056. Typical Fire Protection student debt is $36,416. Read more about Keiser University Ft Lauderdale
Waukesha County Technical College did well this year, earning the #24 position. Set in Pewaukee, WI, Waukesha County Technical College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,803 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,046 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,595 to complete their Fire Protection program here. Read more about Waukesha County Technical College
Louisiana State University Eunice came in at #25 in this year's ranking. Louisiana State University Eunice is a public school based in Eunice, LA. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,802, with out-of-state students paying around $10,166. Louisiana State University Eunice Fire Protection students take on a median of $16,239 in debt. See the full Louisiana State University Eunice profile
Mesa State College came in at #26 in this year's ranking. Set in Grand Junction, CO, Mesa State College is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 47%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,927, with out-of-state students paying around $25,124. Mesa State College Fire Protection students take on a median of $22,310 in debt. Read more about Mesa State College
Rest of the Top 50 Best Fire Protection Associate’s Degree Schools in the United States
Not far behind, these schools also made the top of the list:
Walters State Community College placed #27 among Fire Protection schools in the United States. Based in Morristown, TN, Walters State Community College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,752 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,736. Walters State Community College Fire Protection students take on a median of $10,210 in debt. See the full Walters State Community College profile
Utah Valley University came in at #28 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in Orem, UT. The six-year graduation rate is 40%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,507, while out-of-state students pay about $18,489. Typical Fire Protection student debt is $15,203. See the full Utah Valley University profile
University Of Alaska Anchorage did well this year, earning the #29 position. University Of Alaska Anchorage is a public school based in Anchorage, AK. University Of Alaska Anchorage graduates 28% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,738, while out-of-state students pay about $21,322. University Of Alaska Anchorage Fire Protection students take on a median of $21,787 in debt. Read the full report on University Of Alaska Anchorage
Valencia College came in at #30 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in Orlando, FL. In-state tuition and fees average $2,664, with out-of-state students paying around $9,576. Typical Fire Protection student debt is $8,000. See the full Valencia College profile
Blackhawk Technical College ranked #31 on our 2026 list of the best Fire Protection schools. This public school is set in Janesville, WI. In-state tuition and fees run about $4,747, with out-of-state students paying around $6,803. Students borrow a median of $13,715 to complete their Fire Protection program here. Read the full report on Blackhawk Technical College
Bucks County Community College ranked #32 on our 2026 list of the best Fire Protection schools. Located in Newtown, PA, Bucks County Community College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,646, with out-of-state students paying around $13,926. Graduates carry a median of $13,068 in student loans. Read the full report on Bucks County Community College
Central Piedmont Community College placed #33 among Fire Protection schools in the United States. Central Piedmont Community College is a public school based in Charlotte, NC. In-state tuition and fees run about $2,792, compared with $8,936 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,861 to complete their Fire Protection program here. See the full Central Piedmont Community College profile
El Centro College placed #34 among Fire Protection schools in the United States. El Centro College is a public school based in Dallas, TX. In-state tuition and fees average $2,730, compared with $6,900 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $14,557 in student loans. See the full El Centro College profile
Lake Superior State University came in at #35 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in Sault Ste Marie, MI. Lake Superior State University graduates 50% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $14,890. Typical Fire Protection student debt is $22,429. Read more about Lake Superior State University
Northern Virginia Community College did well this year, earning the #36 position. Northern Virginia Community College is a public school based in Annandale, VA. In-state tuition and fees average $5,891, compared with $12,410 for out-of-state students. The median Fire Protection program debt is $14,413. Read more about Northern Virginia Community College
Metropolitan Community College Area ranked #37 on our 2026 list of the best Fire Protection schools. Metropolitan Community College Area is a public school based in Omaha, NE. In-state tuition and fees run about $3,375, with out-of-state students paying around $4,950. Graduates carry a median of $12,799 in student loans. Read the full report on Metropolitan Community College Area
Guilford Technical Community College did well this year, earning the #38 position. Located in Jamestown, NC, Guilford Technical Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $2,320, compared with $7,696 for out-of-state students. Typical Fire Protection student debt is $20,501. Read more about Guilford Technical Community College
Moraine Valley Community College did well this year, earning the #39 position. Moraine Valley Community College is a public school based in Palos Hills, IL. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,822, with out-of-state students paying around $9,846. Graduates carry a median of $11,149 in student loans. Read more about Moraine Valley Community College
Orange County Community College did well this year, earning the #40 position. Set in Middletown, NY, Orange County Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,526, with out-of-state students paying around $12,334. Orange County Community College Fire Protection students take on a median of $14,152 in debt. More on Orange County Community College
Spokane Community College landed the #41 spot in the United States this year. This public school is set in Spokane, WA. In-state tuition and fees average $5,461, with out-of-state students paying around $6,612. Graduates carry a median of $16,486 in student loans. Get the full Spokane Community College report
Johnson County Community College landed the #42 spot in the United States this year. Johnson County Community College is a public school based in Overland Park, KS. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,424, with out-of-state students paying around $5,688. Typical Fire Protection student debt is $13,532. Get the full Johnson County Community College report
Colorado Mountain College came in at #43 in this year's ranking. Colorado Mountain College is a public school based in Glenwood Springs, CO. Colorado Mountain College graduates 14% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $2,616, compared with $12,840 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $12,953 in student loans. Read more about Colorado Mountain College
Massasoit Community College did well this year, earning the #44 position. Set in Brockton, MA, Massasoit Community College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,376, with out-of-state students paying around $10,320. The median Fire Protection program debt is $10,894. Read the full report on Massasoit Community College
Southern Maine Community College placed #45 among Fire Protection schools in the United States. Based in South Portland, ME, Southern Maine Community College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,156, with out-of-state students paying around $7,036. Typical Fire Protection student debt is $13,869. Read more about Southern Maine Community College
College Of Southern Idaho came in at #46 in this year's ranking. Located in Twin Falls, ID, College Of Southern Idaho is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,360 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,840 for out-of-state students. College Of Southern Idaho Fire Protection students take on a median of $11,175 in debt. Read more about College Of Southern Idaho
Lewis And Clark Community College did well this year, earning the #47 position. Based in Godfrey, IL, Lewis And Clark Community College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,340 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,840 for out-of-state students. The median Fire Protection program debt is $9,602. More on Lewis And Clark Community College
Lone Star College System placed #48 among Fire Protection schools in the United States. Located in The Woodlands, TX, Lone Star College System is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,664, with out-of-state students paying around $7,512. Lone Star College System Fire Protection students take on a median of $10,425 in debt. Read the full report on Lone Star College System
Des Moines Area Community College placed #49 among Fire Protection schools in the United States. Set in Ankeny, IA, Des Moines Area Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,790, with out-of-state students paying around $6,690. Des Moines Area Community College Fire Protection students take on a median of $14,956 in debt. Get the full Des Moines Area Community College report
Central Oregon Community College came in at #51 in this year's ranking. Central Oregon Community College is a public school based in Bend, OR. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,683, with out-of-state students paying around $15,246. Graduates carry a median of $16,250 in student loans. More on Central Oregon Community College
Oakland Community College placed #52 among Fire Protection schools in the United States. Set in Auburn Hills, MI, Oakland Community College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,120, with out-of-state students paying around $5,560. Students borrow a median of $15,865 to complete their Fire Protection program here. Read the full report on Oakland Community College
Related Fire Protection Rankings
See rankings for other degree levels:
- Best Fire Protection Schools (All Levels)
- Best Fire Protection Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Fire Protection Undergraduate Certificate 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
These rankings are produced by Course Advisor (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. Rankings consider 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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