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 2026
Columbia Southern University offers 12 Fire Science degree programs. It's a large, private for-profit, four-year university in a outlying town. In 2024, 1,587 Fire Science students graduated with students earning 932 Bachelor's degrees, 587 Associate's degrees, 49 Master's degrees, and 19 Certificates.
Santa Ana College offers 3 Fire Science degree programs. It's a very large, public, four-year university in a large city. In 2024, 420 Fire Science students graduated with students earning 355 Certificates, and 65 Associate's degrees.
University of New Haven offers 9 Fire Science degree programs. It's a medium sized, private not-for-profit, four-year university in a large suburb. In 2024, 24 Fire Science students graduated with students earning 19 Bachelor's degrees, and 5 Master's degrees.
Central Piedmont Community College offers 2 Fire Science degree programs. It's a very large, public, two-year college in a large city. In 2024, 16 Fire Science students graduated with students earning 10 Certificates, and 6 Associate's degrees.
Utah Valley University offers 3 Fire Science degree programs. It's a very large, public, four-year university in a small city. In 2024, 255 Fire Science students graduated with students earning 125 Associate's degrees, 96 Bachelor's degrees, and 34 Certificates.
Southwestern Illinois College offers 4 Fire Science degree programs. It's a medium sized, public, two-year college in a large suburb. In 2024, 67 Fire Science students graduated with students earning 65 Certificates, and 2 Associate's degrees.
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 2024, 45 Fire Science students graduated with students earning 40 Certificates, and 5 Associate's degrees.
Rio Hondo College offers 8 Fire Science degree programs. It's a large, public, four-year university in a outlying rural area. In 2024, 244 Fire Science students graduated with students earning 176 Certificates, and 68 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 2024, 120 Fire Science students graduated with students earning 90 Certificates, and 30 Associate's degrees.
Butte College offers 4 Fire Science degree programs. It's a large, public, two-year college in a faraway rural area. In 2024, 94 Fire Science students graduated with students earning 73 Certificates, and 21 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 | 67 : 1 | 17,763 | |
|
Santa Ana College Santa Ana, CA | 102 : 1 | 27,248 | |
|
Central Piedmont Community College Charlotte, NC | 53 : 1 | 20,375 | |
|
Utah Valley University Orem, UT | 58 : 1 | 46,807 | |
|
University of New Haven West Haven, CT | 32 : 1 | 9,229 | |