Why This Matters
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U.S. AVERAGES OVER 70,000 WILDFIRES PER YEAR
Since 2000, there have been an average of 70,025 wildfires per year in the U.S., burning an average of 7 million acres.
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THE U.S. NEEDS 900 MORE FIRE INSPECTORS
The job outlook for fire inspectors is bright, with employment expected to increase 5% by 2032. Employment growth will be fastest for forest fire inspectors and prevention specialists.
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EARN $17,770 MORE PER YEAR WITH A DEGREE
Fire inspectors earn an average annual salary of $69,450. These jobs often require an associate or bachelor’s degree. Firefighters, who rarely need degrees, earn $51,680 annually.
Our Research
This list features some of 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 postsecondary education.
We evaluated each school’s program on admission, retention, and graduation rates as well as tuition costs, faculty, reputation, and the resources provided for online students. Then, we calculated the Intelligent Score on a scale of 0 to 100. Read more about our ranking methodology.
Next, we compared this comprehensive list of online fire science degree programs to a list of aggregated college rankings from reputable publications like U.S. News & World Report, among others, to simplify a student’s college search. We pored through these rankings so students don’t have to.
- 83 hours to write this article
- 88 universities and colleges we assessed
- 429 education programs we compared
The Top 50 Best Online Fire Science Degree Programs
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What You Should Know About This Degree
Fighting fires is a dangerous job that requires physical strength and stamina, as well as the ability to remain calm and communicate clearly in high-pressure situations. Many fire-fighting skills can only be developed or honed in real-world situations. Having paid or volunteer experience as a firefighter is equally as important as earning a degree in fire science for individuals who want careers in fire prevention and safety.
A college degree is not necessary to become a firefighter. They usually receive training at a fire academy and take written and physical exams to confirm their preparedness. However, having a college degree can help you advance within the department to roles like deputy chief or chief, or to other related jobs like fire inspector.
Firefighters also provide emergency services in situations like car accidents, natural disasters, or situations involving hazardous materials. Therefore, firefighters are also usually certified as emergency medical technicians (EMTs), a process which involves completing a training course and passing an exam.
Emergency management is a closely related field that may also be of interest to those considering fire science degrees. Emergency management directors coordinate and oversee emergency preparedness and response efforts to situations like fires, natural disasters, and more.
What’s Next?
Here are some questions to ask when researching fire science programs:
- Am I eligible for this program? Some programs seek applicants who are currently active firefighters or have previous firefighting experience. When researching programs, be sure to ask what their admission qualifications are, and plan to get some hands-on experience if necessary.
- How are online courses delivered? Online courses are typically delivered in one of two ways – synchronously or asynchronously. If you are taking synchronous courses, you will need to be available at specific times to attend classes remotely. Asynchronous courses are more flexible, with lessons and course materials accessible at any time.
You should also find out the application requirements and deadlines for the program to which you plan to apply. Gathering your application materials well before the deadline will facilitate a smooth admissions process. This information should be available on the program’s website, or you can contact the school directly.
Financing your fire science degree is another important consideration. Research financial aid options such as grants, scholarships, and assistantships. If you are currently working, find out if your employer offers tuition assistance benefits.