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 8 Fire Science degree programs. It's a large, private for-profit, four-year university in a outlying town. In 2022, 918 Fire Science students graduated with students earning 485 Bachelor's degrees, 405 Associate's degrees, and 28 Certificates.
Santa Ana College offers 3 Fire Science degree programs. It's a very large, public, four-year university in a large city. In 2022, 378 Fire Science students graduated with students earning 311 Certificates, and 67 Associate's degrees.
University of New Haven offers 6 Fire Science degree programs. It's a medium sized, private not-for-profit, four-year university in a large suburb. In 2022, 36 Fire Science students graduated with students earning 24 Bachelor's degrees, 5 Associate's degrees, 4 Master's degrees, and 3 Certificates.
Central Piedmont Community College offers 2 Fire Science degree programs. It's a large, public, two-year college in a large city. In 2022, 24 Fire Science students graduated with students earning 18 Associate's degrees, and 6 Certificates.
Utah Valley University offers 5 Fire Science degree programs. It's a very large, public, four-year university in a small city. In 2022, 276 Fire Science students graduated with students earning 133 Associate's degrees, 87 Bachelor's degrees, and 56 Certificates.
Southwestern Illinois College offers 4 Fire Science degree programs. It's a medium sized, public, two-year college in a large suburb. In 2022, 114 Fire Science students graduated with students earning 113 Certificates, and 1 Associate's degree.
Southern Arkansas University Tech offers 6 Fire Science degree programs. It's a very small, public, two-year college in a faraway rural area. In 2022, 89 Fire Science students graduated with students earning 79 Certificates, and 10 Associate's degrees.
Sinclair Community College offers 6 Fire Science degree programs. It's a large, public, four-year university in a midsize city. In 2022, 154 Fire Science students graduated with students earning 152 Certificates, and 2 Associate's degrees.
Rio Hondo College offers 11 Fire Science degree programs. It's a large, public, four-year university in a large suburb. In 2022, 228 Fire Science students graduated with students earning 146 Certificates, and 82 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 2022, 110 Fire Science students graduated with students earning 79 Certificates, and 31 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 | 68 : 1 | 15,948 | |
|
Santa Ana College Santa Ana, CA | 101 : 1 | 23,852 | |
|
University of New Haven West Haven, CT | 36 : 1 | 8,819 | |
|
Central Piedmont Community College Charlotte, NC | 53 : 1 | 17,694 | |
|
Utah Valley University Orem, UT | 54 : 1 | 43,099 | |