Fire science is the study of fire and burn patterns, combustion logistics, and fire prevention. If you’re the kind of person that understands the high risks and rewards of firefighting, you may want to consider pursuing a degree in this field. The majority of people who obtain this degree go into fire prevention within the National Parks Service, fire service management, public administration, fire inspector services, and more.
Though it is a niche degree that might not seem as lucrative in terms of post-graduate career prospects, fire science is a necessary field in which to have readily-available expertise in the case of a state emergency. Below we’ve compiled a list of some of the most affordable online fire science degree programs available, so you’ll be able to pursue your childhood dream of becoming a firefighter without the worry of financial stress.
Fire Science Programs That Might Interest You
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.Methodology
All schools considered for these rankings
- Are regionally or nationally accredited
- Offer at least one fully online fire science degree (with no more than two weeks of required in-person work)
- Were collected from official accrediting agency websites.
Schools are ranked solely by the average net price as released in the most recent IPEDs database collected in July of 2022.
2023 Most Affordable Online Colleges for Fire Science Degrees
| Rank | School | Average Net Price |
| # 1 | St. Petersburg College | $2,668 |
| # 2 | University of Florida | $5,135 |
| # 3 | Fayetteville State University | $6,969 |
| # 4 | College of Southern Nevada | $7,019 |
| # 5 | Pierce College at Puyallup | $8,939 |
| # 6 | American Public University System | $10,563 |
| # 7 | Columbia Southern University | $11,241 |
| # 8 | California State University-San Marcos | $13,218 |
| # 9 | Eastern Kentucky University | $13,763 |
| # 10 | Eastern Oregon University | $14,436 |
| # 11 | University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh | $14,687 |
| # 12 | Western Illinois University | $15,305 |
| # 13 | Idaho State University | $17,410 |
| # 14 | Colorado State University-Fort Collins | $18,679 |
| # 15 | Salem State University | $19,017 |
| # 16 | Point Park University | $21,600 |
| # 17 | University of Cincinnati | $22,415 |
| # 18 | Upper Iowa University | $24,063 |
| # 19 | Anna Maria College | $25,399 |
| # 20 | Liberty University | $29,382 |
10 Best Affordable Colleges for Online Fire Science Degrees
1. St. Petersburg College
Average Net Price: $2,668
School Type: Non-Profit
School Accreditation: SACS COC
Acceptance Rate: Open Admissions
St. Petersburg College is a public college that was established in 1927. It is located in the city of St. Petersburg, Florida, and is considered a large institution with an undergraduate population of 26,430. According to Niche , this college ranked 23rd for safest college campuses in America and 2nd safest in Florida. St. Petersburg College offers an online fire science degree in which students will gain the necessary fire technology knowledge to pursue a career in fire safety. The Associate of Science (A.S.) degree in Fire Science Technology teaches students the scientific aspects of fire hazards as well as how to minimize the risks and prevent a fire. The following are a few of the required courses to earn this associate degree: Fire Department Occupational Safety and Health, Fire Chemistry, Fire Prevention, Private Fire Protection Systems, Building Construction for the Fire Service, Firefighting Tactics and Strategy, and more.
2. University of Florida
Average Net Price: $5,135
School Type: Non-Profit
School Accreditation: SACS COC
Acceptance Rate: 31%
University of Florida is a public university that was created in 1853. It is located in Gainesville, Florida, and is considered a large institution with an undergraduate population of 35,491. According to U.S. News & World Report, this university ranked fifth for top public schools, 12th for best colleges for veterans, 29th for best national universities, and 52nd for most innovative schools. On Niche , it ranked first for best colleges in the state of Florida along with fifteen other state-level categories AND best college athletics in America, 5th for best big colleges in the United States, 6th for top public universities in America, and 41st for best value colleges in the country. The University of Florida provides interested individuals with an online Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Fire & Emergency Science. This emergency management program was implemented to educate and train individuals on how to lead, manage and survive in emergency public service situations involving fires. Upon completion of this higher education program, all students will be ready to help protect communities by reducing risks of any dangers. Each student has the option of choosing between three specializations, which include emergency medical services (EMS) management, emergency management, and fire. Students enrolled in this program must pass the following courses: Fire and Emergency Services Financial Management, Fire and Emergency Services Ethical Practices and Leadership, Fire and Emergency Services Public Relations, Principles of Fire and Emergency Services Management, and more. Depending on which specialization the student chooses, the required courses may vary.
3. Fayetteville State University
Average Net Price: $6,969
School Type: Non-Profit
School Accreditation: SACS COC
Acceptance Rate: 79%
Fayetteville State University is a public university that was formed in 1867. It is located in Fayetteville, North Carolina, and is considered an average size school with an undergraduate population of 5,473. According to U.S. News & World Report, this university ranked 19th for top performers on social mobility, 31st for best historically black colleges and universities, 33rd for top public schools, and 72nd for best regional universities in the South. On Niche, it ranked 32nd for most liberal colleges in the United States and 3rd for best college food in the state. Fayetteville State University is known to have an affordable online fire science degree program. The Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in Fire and Emergency Services Administration educates students on how to investigate as well as prevent and manage fires. Before completing the program, all students will successfully learn how to deal with the problems that arise in a hazardous environment, reduce risks of fires, analyze and determine potential causes that could lead to a fire, and more. Some of the courses that students in this science degree program will be required to pass are Fire Investigations, Fire Prevention Organization and Management, Applied Fire Service Ethics, Fire-Related Human Behavior, Political and Legal Foundations of Fire Protection, Advanced Fire Administration, Applications of Fire Research, and more.
4. College of Southern Nevada
Average Net Price: $7,019
School Type: Non-Profit
School Accreditation: NWCCU
Acceptance Rate: Open Admissions
College of Southern Nevada is a public community college that was developed in 1971. It is located in the city of Las Vegas, Nevada, and is considered an average size school with 10,068 students. The College of Southern Nevada features an excellent fire science degree program that is accessible entirely online. The Bachelor of Applied Science (B.A.S.) in Fire & Emergency Services Administration will provide individuals with hands-on learning from a distance, which will prepare them for a successful career in the fire service industry. Real-life fire service professionals teach the curriculum to students to ensure that they are provided the proper knowledge and skills to enter this public safety career field. The following are several of the mandatory courses to complete this fire science program degree: Fire Behavior and Combustion, Basic Wildland Firefighting, Fire Prevention, Building Construction for Fire Prevention, Fire Investigations, Fire Protection Systems, Fire and Emergency Services Administration, Fire Dynamics, Political and Legal Foundations for Fire Protection, and more.
5. Pierce College District
Average Net Price: $8,939
School Type: Non-Profit
School Accreditation: NWCCU
Acceptance Rate: Open Admissions
Pierce College at Puyallup is a public community college that opened its doors in 1990. It is located in Lakewood, Washington, and is considered a small institution with 4,453 students. According to Niche, this college ranked fourth for best community colleges in the state of Washington. Pierce College at Puyallup offers one of the best fire science degree programs in the country. Students who are interested in this field will have the option of earning either an Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) degree or a Bachelor of Applied Science (B.A.S.) degree in Fire Services Leadership and Management. Both programs are offered completely online.
The A.A.S. degree focuses on preparing students to transfer to a four-year college or university. This program will take students around two years to complete. They will be taught the necessary foundations to pursue a profession in the fire industry. A few of the courses that are essential to completing this degree are Building Construction for Fire Protection, Fire and Emergency Services Administration, Fire Behavior & Combustion, Fire Prevention, and more.
The B.A.S. degree will teach students the essential skills and knowledge to become successful leaders in the fire service industry. Upon graduation, students will be ready to tackle the issues and demands of a leadership or management position in this field. The following are the courses needed to graduate from this program: Basic Fire Investigation, Fire Service and Response to Terrorism, Fire Administration, Legal Aspects of Fire Service, Occupational Safety and Health for Fire Service, Advanced Fire Administration, and more.
6. American Public University System
Average Net Price: $10,563
School Type: For-Profit
School Accreditation: HLC
Acceptance Rate: Open Admissions
American Public University System is a private, for-profit university that began operating in 1991. It is located in Charles Town, West Virginia, and is considered a large institution with an undergraduate population of 37,746. According to Niche, this university ranked fifth for best value colleges in the state of West Virginia. The American Public University System offers two different options for those interested in pursuing a fire science degree online, which are the Associate of Science (A.S.) in Fire Science and a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Fire Science Management.
The A.S. degree is a two-year program that will introduce students to the beginning practices of the fire science industry. Individuals who graduate from this program will be fully prepared to pursue a four-year program if they wish. The majority of graduates go on to become firefighters, fire service managers, urban search and rescue professionals, medical emergency service specialists, and more.
7. Columbia Southern University
Average Net Price: $11,241
School Type: For-Profit
School Accreditation: DEAC
Acceptance Rate: Open Admissions
Columbia Southern University is a for-profit university that was founded in 1993. It is located in Orange Beach, Alabama and is considered an average size school with an undergraduate population of 8,397. According to Niche, this university ranked 13th for best value colleges in the state of Alabama. Columbia Southern University offers an excellent fire science degree online for students who are unable to commute to campus or have other life obligations. The Associate of Science (A.S.) in Fire Science degree is known as one of the best fire science programs in the United States. Majority of the students who graduate from this program go on to become successful firefighters. Individuals who enroll in this program will be required to complete the following courses: Principles of Fire and Emergency Services, Fire Behavior and Combustion, Building Construction for Fire Protection, Introduction to Fire Prevention, Fire Protection Structure and Systems, and more.
The B.S. degree focuses on fire behavior, fire suppression methods, fire safety, prevention of fires, and protecting citizens from fires. After completing this program, individuals will be prepared to pursue a leadership position in the firefighting industry as well as handle any fire issues that may occur.
8. California State University-San Marcos
Average Net Price: $13,218
School Type: Non-Profit
School Accreditation: WSCUC
Acceptance Rate: 79%
California State University-San Marcos is a public university that was established in 1989. It is located in San Marcos, California, and is considered an average size college with an undergraduate population of 13,962. According to U.S. News & World Report, this university ranked 7th for top performers on social mobility, 10th for best undergraduate teaching, and 17th for top public schools. California State University-San Marcos features an online Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in Wildfire Science. This program is partnering with several local, state, and national fire associations in hopes of assisting students with achieving their goals of becoming outstanding firefighters, scientists, problem-solvers, fire inspectors, technical experts, and more. A few of the fire academy courses that students will be required to pass to earn this degree are Fire Science, Biostatistics for Wildfire Science, Fire Ecology, Wildfire Law and Economics, Firefighter Health and Safety, and more.
9. Eastern Kentucky University
Average Net Price: $13,763
School Type: Non-Profit
School Accreditation: SACSCOC
Acceptance Rate: 98%
Eastern Kentucky University offers over 50 online degrees and certificates in various fields and specialties. These programs are designed to accommodate adult students with various preexisting responsibilities who want to advance their career opportunities while working full-time or handling other time commitments. EKU offers four different fire science degrees, Bachelor of Science in Fire Protection Administration, Bachelor of Science in Fire Protection & Safety Engineering Technology, Undergraduate Certificate in Industrial Fire Protection, and a Bachelor of Science in Fire, Arson, & Explosion Investigation, each with quality curriculum to help you to serve and protect your community.
10. Eastern Oregon University
Average Net Price: $14,436
School Type: Non-Profit
School Accreditation: NWCCU
Acceptance Rate: 94%
Founded in 1929, Eastern Oregon University was originally a school for preparing teachers of primary school students and ever since it has stood as a bastion in the community of education, scholarship, and cultural enrichment even in its rural setting in the Pacific Northwest. Popular majors at EOU include Education, Business, and Liberal Arts and Humanities. EOU boasts a student to faculty ratio of 17:1, a 28% minority student body, over 50 student organizations and 37 degrees offered, 22 of which are 100% online.
