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Cheapest Fire Protection Colleges

Ranked by lowest net price after financial aid. See our methodology.

Fire protection programs nationwide show dramatic cost variation, with net prices ranging from just $3,046 at CUNY John Jay College to $14,251 at premium institutions. The field attracts students through public universities that dominate affordable options, though earnings potential varies significantly from $30,771 to $76,460 annually. California leads with multiple low-cost programs, including Cal State LA at $4,113 net cost and Cal State San Marcos at $10,550. The western United States has become a hiring center for fire protection specialists, driven by wildfire management needs and expanding urban development requiring advanced safety systems. Florida offers two pathways through its traditional campus at $6,351 and online program at $4,702, both providing strong graduation rates above 77%. Public institutions make up the majority of affordable options, with Nevada's College of Southern Nevada offering the lowest in-state tuition at $4,110 despite modest graduation outcomes.
50
Programs
$3,046 – $30,299
Net Price Range
$57,602
Avg. Program Earnings
48.8%
Avg. Graduation Rate

50 Fire Protection Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $3,046 $7,470 55.5% 50.7%
2 $4,113 $6,813 52.6% 86.9%
3 $4,702 $3,876 77.7% 64.6%
4 $6,329 $4,110 17.9%
5 $6,351 $6,381 91.5% 23.4%
6 $7,131 $4,656 55.1% 95.6%
7 $7,360 $3,969 35.2% 81.2%
8 $7,669 $21,290 61.3% 21.1%
9 $8,463 $6,270 40.7%
10 $9,104 $8,400 53.2%
11 $9,380 $2,736 13.8%
12 $9,962 $10,130 49.7% 64.3%
13 $10,550 $7,739 54.2% 95.2%
14 $11,592 $14,952 44.8% 75.0%
15 $11,732 $13,971 38.7% 90.1%
16 $12,251 $33,968 60.4% 77.4%
17 $12,267 $10,110 47.6%
18 $12,832 $7,388 44.7% 86.8%
19 $13,782 $8,816 60.9% 73.9%
20 $14,251 $5,934 22.8%
21 $14,294 $10,780 29.9% 97.9%
22 $14,368 $14,266 56.9% 76.9%
23 $14,514 $7,992 29.6%
24 $14,745 $7,214 67.7% 79.6%
25 $14,761 $8,212 57.9% 88.5%
26 $14,975 $5,808 37.2%
27 $14,981 $12,799 48.2% 82.9%
28 $15,529 $16,400 30.0%
29 $15,987 $10,671 36.6% 98.5%
30 $16,177 $13,244 56.3% 91.5%
31 $16,378 $10,234 65.9% 70.6%
32 $17,185 $29,778 51.1% 65.0%
33 $17,324 $8,356 38.3%
34 $17,815 $27,360 58.1% 64.8%
35 $18,290 $11,025 44.8% 83.4%
36 $18,370 $37,882 62.6% 74.1%
37 $18,441 $11,978 55.0% 92.7%
38 $18,516 $21,100 50.3% 74.0%
39 $19,733 $11,665 21.6% 57.7%
40 $20,332 $12,896 66.9% 90.8%
41 $20,918 $14,081 62.8% 78.7%
42 $21,683 $25,220 29.0% 73.9%
43 $23,156 $13,570 71.5% 86.2%
44 $23,650 $21,450 53.5% 98.1%
45 $24,137 $33,450 61.7% 75.0%
46 $24,275 $34,770 43.4% 65.2%
47 $24,978 $39,664 40.1% 75.7%
48 $29,396 $43,064 40.4% 69.6%
49 $29,552 $21,222 63.5% 99.3%
50 $30,299 $41,578 31.1% 99.9%

Frequently Asked Questions

What explains the huge earnings gap between fire protection programs?

Graduates from American Public University System earn $76,460 annually while Western Illinois University graduates average just $30,771. Geographic location plays a major role, as western states typically offer higher salaries for fire protection specialists. Program focus also matters, with some emphasizing wildland firefighting while others target industrial safety management positions.

How do graduation rates compare across affordable fire protection schools?

University of Florida leads with a 91.5% graduation rate at $6,351 net cost, while College of Southern Nevada graduates only 17.9% of students despite charging $6,329. Most affordable programs fall between 35% and 55% graduation rates. Schools with higher completion rates often require more selective admission processes.

Is student debt a concern for fire protection majors?

Debt loads vary from $12,500 at Cal State LA to $27,000 at Eastern Kentucky University. Most graduates carry between $15,000 and $25,000 in student loans. Public universities generally produce lower debt burdens compared to private institutions, with some students graduating debt-free from community college programs.

Does location impact fire protection program costs significantly?

Western states offer some of the lowest net costs, with California schools averaging under $8,000 annually. Nevada and Utah provide competitive pricing below $9,000 net cost. Eastern schools like CUNY John Jay offer the absolute lowest at $3,046, though regional job markets vary considerably in salary potential.

Where do fire protection graduates find the best return on investment?

Fayetteville State University graduates earn $69,338 with only $13,836 in debt at $7,360 net cost. American Public University System offers the highest earnings at $76,460 but requires $23,688 in debt. Students should consider both program cost and regional employment opportunities when calculating potential returns.

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Net price reflects the average cost after grants and scholarships for first-time, full-time students. See our methodology for details.