Why This Matters
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HIGHEST PAYING JOBS IN NJ, CA, WA, NY, HI
Location is a big factor when it comes to how much you’re likely to make as a firefighter. The top-paying jobs for firefighters in the United States are in New Jersey, California, Washington, New York, and Hawaii.
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6% PROJECTED JOB GROWTH
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the need for firefighters is expected to increase by 6% between 2019 to 2029, which represents above-average industry growth.
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EARN OVER $50,000 PER YEAR AS A FIREFIGHTER
Firefighters earn an average median pay of $52,500 per year or $25.24 per hour.
Our Research
This list features associate-level programs in fire science in online and blended formats. Some examples of degrees awarded by the various programs we’ve profiled include Associate of Science in Fire Service Administration, Associate of Applied Science in Fire Science Technology, and Associate of Applied Science in Fire Services Leadership.
The International Fire Service Accreditation Congress (IFSAC) provides specialty accreditation for fire science and related programs. In addition to IFSAC-accredited programs, our list also features programs with accreditations from the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) and regional organizations such as the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), and Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU).
Why Trust Us
The Intelligent.com Higher Education Team is dedicated to providing students with independent, equitable school and program rankings and well-researched resources. Our expert-driven articles cover topics related to online colleges and programs, paying for school, and career outlooks. We use data from the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard, the National Center for Education Statistics, and other reputable educational and professional organizations. Our academic advisory team reviews content and verifies accuracy throughout the year for the most current information. Partnerships do not influence rankings or editorial decisions.
- Analyzed over 2,000 national, accredited, and nonprofit colleges and universities
- 800+ rankings pages are reviewed and updated yearly
- Content is informed by reputable sources, surveys, and interviews with academic advisors and other experts
- Over 100 data points are reviewed for accuracy and quality throughout the year, including sources
How we rank schools
Our list features the best online Fire Science degree programs at top colleges nationwide. Each school featured is a nonprofit, accredited institution — either public or private — with a high standard of academic quality for post-secondary institutions.
We evaluated each school’s program on tuition costs, admission, retention and graduation rates, faculty, reputation, and the student resources provided for online students. We collected data from trusted sources like the National Center for Education Statistics, individual school and program websites, school admissions counselors, and other data sources. Then, we calculated the Intelligent Score on a scale of 0 to 100 based on the following criterion:
Academic Quality:
- Admission rate versus enrollment rate
- Retention rate of students who return after year one
- Accreditation status (regional and programmatic)
- Nonprofit status, both private and public institutions
Graduation Rate
- Overall graduation rate
- Total number of currently enrolled students, including diversity metrics
- Student-to-faculty ratio
Cost and ROI
- In-state and out-of-state per-credit tuition rates and fees
- Required credits to graduate
- Earning potential after graduation
- Availability of federal student loans, scholarships, and other financial aid options
Student Resources
- Available student services for online-only and hybrid programs
- On-campus amenities like tutoring centers and the number of libraries
Read more about our ranking methodology.
- 65 hours to write this article
- 78 universities and colleges we assessed
- 133 education programs we compared
Best 38 Online Associate in Fire Science Programs
FiltersInstitution Type
Status
- Intelligent Score
- Alphabetically By University Name
- Acceptance Rate
- Enrollment
- In-state Graduate Tuition
- Out-of-state Graduate Tuition
- In-state Undergraduate Tuition
- Out-of-state Undergraduate Tuition
John Wood Community College
Intelligent Score: 99.45In-state: $20,320
Out-of-state: $20,320
In-state: NA
Out-of-state: NA
SAT: N/A
ACT: N/A
$193 per credit
Online, On-campus
Higher Learning Commission
62 credits
St. Petersburg College
Intelligent Score: 99.28In-state: $19,485
Out-of-state: $26,089
In-state: NA
Out-of-state: NA
SAT: Not Required
ACT: Not Required
Resident: $111.75 per credit
Non-Residents: $386.90 per credit
Online
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
60 credits
Southern Arkansas University Tech
Intelligent Score: 95.82In-state: NA
Out-of-state: NA
In-state: NA
Out-of-state: NA
SAT: N/A
ACT: N/A
$178 per credit
Online
Higher Learning Commission
60 credits
Casper College
Intelligent Score: 95.74In-state: $15,868
Out-of-state: $20,908
In-state: NA
Out-of-state: NA
SAT: N/A
ACT: N/A
In-State: $137 per credit
Out-of-State: $335 per credit
Online
Higher Learning Commission
60 credits
Albany Technical College
Intelligent Score: 95.6In-state: $17,113
Out-of-state: $19,513
In-state: NA
Out-of-state: NA
SAT: N/A
ACT: N/A
$100 per credit
Online
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
62 credits
Columbia Southern University
Intelligent Score: 95.49In-state: $21,964
Out-of-state: $21,964
In-state: $19,676
Out-of-state: $19,676
SAT: 440 or higher
ACT: 18 or higher
$235 per credit
Online
Distance Education Accrediting Commission, Fire and Emergency Services Higher Education
60 credits
Hillsborough Community College
Intelligent Score: 95.27In-state: $18,208
Out-of-state: $24,813
In-state: NA
Out-of-state: NA
SAT: Not Required
ACT: Not Required
In-State: $104.39 per credit
Out-of-State: $379.61 per credit
Online, On-campus
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
60 credits
Keiser University
Intelligent Score: 94.84In-state: $19,808
Out-of-state: $19,808
In-state: $27,162
Out-of-state: $27,162
SAT: N/A
ACT: N/A
$440 per credit
Online
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
60 credits
Hutchinson Community College
Intelligent Score: 94.13In-state: $15,938
Out-of-state: $16,868
In-state: NA
Out-of-state: NA
SAT: Not Required
ACT: Not Required
In-State: $116 per credit
Out-of-State: $147 per credit
Online
Higher Learning Commission
63 credits
American Military University
Intelligent Score: 94.1In-state: $20,384
Out-of-state: NA
In-state: NA
Out-of-state: NA
SAT: NA
ACT: NA
$285 per credit
Online
International Fire Service Accreditation Congress.
60 credits
Kilgore College
Intelligent Score: 93.36In-state: $19,374
Out-of-state: $20,574
In-state: NA
Out-of-state: NA
SAT: 480 or higher
ACT: N/A
Resident: $53 per credit
Non-Resident: $103 per credit
Online
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
60 credits
Idaho State University
Intelligent Score: 93.11In-state: $5,928
Out-of-state: $22,550
In-state: $7,982
Out-of-state: $7,982
SAT: N/A
ACT: N/A
Resident: $262.40 per credit
Non-Resident: $816.46 per credit
Online
Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
62 credits
Passaic County Community College
Intelligent Score: 92.62In-state: $24,476
Out-of-state: $26,516
In-state: NA
Out-of-state: NA
SAT: 450 or higher
ACT: 18-22
Resident: $177 per credit
Non-Resident: $310 per credit
Online, On-campus
Middle States Commission on Higher Education
60 credits
Lanier Technical College
Intelligent Score: 90.42In-state: $19,655
Out-of-state: $22,655
In-state: NA
Out-of-state: NA
SAT: 525 or higher
ACT: N/A
$100 per credit
Online, On-campus
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
62 credits
Waldorf University
Intelligent Score: 87.65In-state: $21,886
Out-of-state: $21,886
In-state: $4,740
Out-of-state: $4,740
SAT: 920-1110
ACT: 17-21
$305 per credit
Online
Higher Learning Commission
60 credits
University of Cincinnati
Intelligent Score: 86.66In-state: $9,723
Out-of-state: $25,057
In-state: $13,224
Out-of-state: $13,224
SAT: 1120-1330
ACT: 23-29
$389 per credit
Online
Higher Learning Commission
92 credits
American Public University
Intelligent Score: 86.15In-state: $20,384
Out-of-state: $20,384
In-state: $18,784
Out-of-state: $18,784
SAT: Not Required
ACT: Not Required
$285 per credit
Online
Higher Learning Commission
60 credits
Lake Superior College
Intelligent Score: 85.97In-state: $24,186
Out-of-state: $27,694
In-state: $33,618
Out-of-state: $33,618
SAT: 975-1180
ACT: 18-23
$193.01 per credit
Online, On-campus
Higher Learning Commission
60 credits
What You Should Know About This Degree
An online Associate in Fire Science is a good first step in any career related to fire safety. There are online Bachelor in Fire Science degree programs for those seeking career advancement, along with master’s level programs for students with leadership aspirations.
Search for accreditations that pertain to the industry such as IFSAC. Fire and Emergency Service Higher Education (FESHE) is another notable accreditor. Distance learning accreditations — like the Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC) — are also good to look for.
Firefighter positions are expected to increase by 6% between 2019 and 2029. This rate of growth is considered rapid for the industry; students who complete a fire science associate degree program can expect to find an increasing number of job openings over the next decade.
Not all firefighters are required to be college graduates; some have technical diplomas or on-the-job training. However, with an Associate in Fire Science, firefighters may have the opportunity for higher pay and more job options.
What’s Next?
Ask these questions when researching online associate in fire science programs:
- Am I eligible for this program? To be eligible for an online associate in fire science program, prospective students must have a high school diploma or GED. Exact admission requirements may vary depending on educational institution, so read all details carefully when searching for a Fire Science degree program.
- How long does it take to complete this online degree? On average, it takes two years to earn an Associate in Fire Science — with an average requirement of 60 credit hours. Due to the flexibility of online degree programs, it may take more or less time for students to complete the program.
Speak to an admissions counselor at the schools you’re considering to learn more about entry requirements. The school’s financial department can instruct you on applying for financial assistance and paying your tuition. When comparing schools, take notes and compare your findings before making a final decision.