by our College Data Analytics TeamFire Science was the 266th most popular major in the 2020-2021 school year. Colleges in the United States reported awarding 8,102 degrees in this year alone. This represents a 4.6% increase in fire science degrees awarded over the prior year's total of 7,726.
This year's Best Fire Science Schools ranking compares 87 of them to identify the best overall programs in the country. Explore this or one of our many other custom fire science rankings further below.
When studying Fire Science, you’ll learn that using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems will help you be successful in a wide range of jobs. Required skills include giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times and talking to others to convey information effectively.
fire science degree applicants generally need have finished high school or their GED. Many schools may also have GPA and SAT/ACT score minimums that must be met. In addition to these basic fire science program qualifications, to serve in some fire science careers, special certification may be required outside of your degree.
There are various different levels of fire science degrees. You can spend many years getting as high as a in fire science to something that takes less time like a . How long it takes to complete some common fire science degree levels is shown below.
| Degree | Credit Requirements | Typical Program Length |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree | 60-70 credits | 2 years |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 120 credits | 4 years |
| Master’s Degree | 50-70 credits | 1-3 years |
| Doctorate | Program required coursework including thesis or dissertation | At least 4 years |
An associate degree is the most common level of education achieved by those in careers related to fire science, with approximately 16.6% of workers getting one. Find out other typical degree levels for fire science workers below.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| High School Diploma | 29.7% |
| Post-Secondary Certificate | 21.8% |
| Some College Courses | 20.2% |
| Associate’s Degree (or other 2-year degree) | 15.9% |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 6.5% |
The chart below shows what degree level those who work in fire science have obtained.
This of course varies depending on which fire science career you choose.
Want a job when you graduate with your fire science degree? Fire Science careers are expected to grow 7.3% between 2016 and 2026.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to fire science.
| Occupation Name | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Firefighters | 350,900 | 7.2% |
| Fire Fighting Supervisors | 63,300 | 7.1% |
| Fire Inspectors | 13,200 | 7.3% |
| Forest Fire Inspectors and Prevention Specialists | 2,200 | 29.4% |
As you might expect, salaries for fire science graduates vary depending on the level of education that was acquired.
Salaries for fire science graduates can vary widely by the occupation you choose as well. The following table shows the top highest paying careers fire science grads often go into.
| Occupation Name | Median Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Fire Fighting Supervisors | $80,310 |
| Fire Inspectors | $64,140 |
| Firefighters | $53,240 |
| Forest Fire Inspectors and Prevention Specialists | $49,610 |
With over 573 different fire science degree programs to choose from, finding the best fit for you can be a challenge. Fortunately you have come to the right place. We have analyzed all of these schools to come up with hundreds of unbiased fire science school rankings to help you with this.
One of 6 majors within the Fire Protection area of study, Fire Science has other similar majors worth exploring.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Fire Prevention & Safety Technology/Technician | 3,891 |
| Fire Services Administration | 1,450 |
| Other Fire Protection | 126 |
| Wildl&/Forest Firefighting & Investigation | 90 |
| Fire Systems Technology | 61 |
