Best Fire Science colleges in the U.S.
The degree in fire science provides the educational foundation for career paths in firefighting and inspection. These specialists are trained in how to prevent fires in buildings and how to identify risk factors that can contribute to a fire. This field requires a technical understanding of local and federal fire codes, and may also include fieldwork training and observing current firefighters or code inspectors.
Professionals with a degree in fire science can specialize in either prevention as a code officer or suppression as a firefighter. While a coding officer inspects building plans to determine whether a building meets local design requirements, they also perform inspections of construction sites and existing buildings to verify that alarming systems and carbon monoxide detectors are working properly.
To become a firefighter, fire science students need a two-year associate degree and in-person training at a fire station before they can begin working full-time. Most firefighters work for stations and fight fires for local municipalities, while others work on contracts at the state level to manage forest fires. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that opportunities in this field will grow by eight percent in the next decade, a much higher growth rate than other professions.
Best Fire Science colleges in the U.S. for 2025
Columbia Southern University offers 12 Fire Science degree programs. It's a large, private for-profit, four-year university in a outlying town. In 2023, 1,047 Fire Science students graduated with students earning 585 Bachelor's degrees, 432 Associate's degrees, 26 Certificates, and 4 Master's degrees.
Santa Ana College offers 3 Fire Science degree programs. It's a very large, public, four-year university in a large city. In 2023, 359 Fire Science students graduated with students earning 306 Certificates, and 53 Associate's degrees.
Central Piedmont Community College offers 2 Fire Science degree programs. It's a large, public, two-year college in a large city. In 2023, 11 Fire Science students graduated with students earning 9 Associate's degrees, and 2 Certificates.
Utah Valley University offers 3 Fire Science degree programs. It's a very large, public, four-year university in a small city. In 2023, 235 Fire Science students graduated with students earning 116 Associate's degrees, 87 Bachelor's degrees, and 32 Certificates.
Southwestern Illinois College offers 4 Fire Science degree programs. It's a medium sized, public, two-year college in a large suburb. In 2023, 69 Fire Science students graduated with students earning 68 Certificates, and 1 Associate's degree.
Southern Arkansas University Tech offers 8 Fire Science degree programs. It's a very small, public, two-year college in a faraway rural area. In 2023, 46 Fire Science students graduated with students earning 40 Certificates, and 6 Associate's degrees.
University of New Haven offers 7 Fire Science degree programs. It's a medium sized, private not-for-profit, four-year university in a large suburb. In 2023, 32 Fire Science students graduated with students earning 23 Bachelor's degrees, 7 Master's degrees, and 2 Certificates.
Rio Hondo College offers 11 Fire Science degree programs. It's a large, public, four-year university in a outlying rural area. In 2023, 268 Fire Science students graduated with students earning 179 Certificates, and 89 Associate's degrees.
Santa Rosa Junior College offers 3 Fire Science degree programs. It's a large, public, two-year college in a midsize city. In 2023, 107 Fire Science students graduated with students earning 86 Certificates, and 21 Associate's degrees.
Butte College offers 5 Fire Science degree programs. It's a large, public, two-year college in a faraway rural area. In 2023, 109 Fire Science students graduated with students earning 85 Certificates, and 24 Associate's degrees.
Top schools offering Fire Science degrees in the U.S.
Fire Science
List of all Fire Science colleges in the U.S.
| School | Average Tuition | Student Teacher Ratio | Enrolled Students | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Columbia Southern University Orange Beach, AL | 80 : 1 | 18,487 | |
|
Santa Ana College Santa Ana, CA | 99 : 1 | 26,073 | |
|
Central Piedmont Community College Charlotte, NC | 52 : 1 | 18,446 | |
|
Utah Valley University Orem, UT | 55 : 1 | 44,651 | |
|
Southwestern Illinois College Belleville, IL | 51 : 1 | 7,955 | |