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 2023
Columbia Southern University offers 8 Fire Science degree programs. It's a large, private for-profit, four-year university in a outlying town. In 2020, 1,139 Fire Science students graduated with students earning 660 Associate's degrees, 468 Bachelor's degrees, and 11 Certificates.
Utah Valley University offers 3 Fire Science degree programs. It's a very large, public, four-year university in a small city. In 2020, 262 Fire Science students graduated with students earning 114 Associate's degrees, 104 Bachelor's degrees, and 44 Certificates.
University of New Haven offers 8 Fire Science degree programs. It's a medium sized, private not-for-profit, four-year university in a large suburb. In 2020, 51 Fire Science students graduated with students earning 44 Bachelor's degrees, 5 Master's degrees, 1 Associate's degree, and 1 Certificate.
Southwestern Illinois College offers 4 Fire Science degree programs. It's a medium sized, public, two-year college in a large suburb. In 2020, 115 Fire Science students graduated with students earning 107 Certificates, and 8 Associate's degrees.
American Public University System offers 10 Fire Science degree programs. It's a very large, private for-profit, four-year university in a outlying town. In 2020, 82 Fire Science students graduated with students earning 38 Bachelor's degrees, 36 Associate's degrees, and 8 Certificates.
St Petersburg College offers 6 Fire Science degree programs. It's a very large, public, four-year university in a small city. In 2020, 152 Fire Science students graduated with students earning 125 Certificates, and 27 Associate's degrees.
Valencia College offers 3 Fire Science degree programs. It's a very large, public, four-year university in a large city. In 2020, 252 Fire Science students graduated with students earning 214 Certificates, and 38 Associate's degrees.
Macomb Community College offers 5 Fire Science degree programs. It's a large, public, two-year college in a midsize city. In 2020, 8 Fire Science students graduated with students earning 8 Associate's degrees.
Lake Superior State University offers 2 Fire Science degree programs. It's a small, public, four-year university in a remote town. In 2020, 22 Fire Science students graduated with students earning 21 Bachelor's degrees, and 1 Associate's degree.
University of Akron Main Campus offers 3 Fire Science degree programs. It's a large, public, four-year university in a midsize city. In 2020, 28 Fire Science students graduated with students earning 24 Bachelor's degrees, and 4 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 | 60 : 1 | 18,533 | |
|
Santa Ana College Santa Ana, CA | 84 : 1 | 20,118 | |
|
Central Piedmont Community College Charlotte, NC | 44 : 1 | 16,668 | |
|
Utah Valley University Orem, UT | 54 : 1 | 40,936 | |
|
University of New Haven West Haven, CT | 31 : 1 | 6,961 | |