2024 Best Colleges with Fire Science and Firefighting Degrees in California

• Livermore, CA•

• 2 Year

• •
  Rating 3.79 out of 5  608 reviews

Junior: I love the professors and the staff! The facilities are maintained and are being updated, and any new construction is there to benefit the students and staff. They are very protective of their students and staff and everyone is treated well. There’s resources for anyone and they genuinely do want to see everyone’s success. One thing I would like to see changed is the hours the administration, cafeteria, library, and student store remain open until. I feel the pandemic changed the hours of operation drastically and they never went back to the old hours, which had a lot of benefit to late-night students.... Read 608 reviews

• grade A minus

• Acceptance rate 100%

• Net price $7,675

• SAT range —

• Walnut, CA•

• 2 Year

• •
  Rating 3.96 out of 5  1,947 reviews

Sophomore: Mt. SAC has given me a sense of belonging in college, a newfound appreciation for education, and guidance for the rest of my life. The support programs and clubs gave me a community in higher education. The teachers, counselors, and fellow students gave me a newfound appreciation for education. And my guidance for the rest of my life came from the Mt SAC. events, counselors, student programs, and courses. I couldn't be more grateful!... Read 1,947 reviews

• grade A minus

• Acceptance rate 100%

• Net price $5,774

• SAT range —

• Santa Maria, CA•

• 2 Year

• •
  Rating 3.88 out of 5  755 reviews

Sophomore: The staff is beyond extraordinary! Felt like walking in and being greeted by a big family. Everyone there wants to see you succeed, and no question is a dumb question. I was very anxious to start college as a 27 year old, and they helped me overcome my fears and anxiousness and I’m tackling more than I thought I would in a semester!... Read 755 reviews

• grade B+

• Acceptance rate 100%

• Net price $6,629

• SAT range —

• South Lake Tahoe, CA•

• 2 Year

• •
  Rating 3.64 out of 5  72 reviews

Sophomore: Lake Tahoe CC is a quaint and homey campus that is easy to navigate- especially for first time students who might be intimidated. Its location offers great scenery, and you’ll definitely be able to appreciate the natural beauty of Tahoe while walking through campus. Our school offers one of the only dark rooms on a college campus in California, and it’s even one of the last few schools in the nation offering classes in film development.... Read 72 reviews

• grade B+

• Acceptance rate 100%

• Net price $7,867

• SAT range —

• Santa Rosa, CA•

• 2 Year

• •
  Rating 4.01 out of 5  1,331 reviews

Freshman: I love the atmosphere here! Everyone is friendly and I really like my professors. Theatre and English are my favorites. The books for classes are so interesting and how our classes and assignments go are pretty interesting and engaging. I wish they had a program to help with books and main supplies. They have been helping with food and some financial aid. But I really wish they could help with supplies, because that can really add up fast, especially since a lot of students have to work a lot to have enough for it. I love my campus though, the cafe and main cafeteria has many options and easy access to any information that I may need, the counseling and main mental health awareness is pretty good too, it has made school a lot easier!... Read 1,331 reviews

• grade B+

• Acceptance rate 100%

• Net price $9,220

• SAT range —

• Oroville, CA•

• 2 Year

• •
  Rating 3.94 out of 5  710 reviews

Freshman: I really love how Butte college cares not only about its students, but also the environment. I have met so many teachers and faculty there that are really excited to help their students succeed in life and what they are passionate about! There are also many environment conscious choices around campus, such as carpool spaces, a bus system, and solar panels! Butte also did a lot to help students through the pandemic with additional grants and other forms of help. The campus itself is clean, and with areas such as the Queer resource center, road runner hub and food pantry, and the campus safe space, I always feel welcome and at ease.... Read 710 reviews

• grade B+

• Acceptance rate 100%

• Net price $10,736

• SAT range —

• Monterey, CA•

• 2 Year

• •
  Rating 3.93 out of 5  590 reviews

Freshman: Monterey Peninsula College has been an exceptional choice for my transition from homeschool to college. The staff and faculty have shown remarkable kindness and unparalleled support throughout my journey. Their genuine willingness to help has made this transition smooth and comforting. From academic guidance to emotional assistance, their dedication shines. The sense of community here is heartwarming, fostering an environment where everyone truly cares about each other's success. Whether it's adjusting to new routines or navigating the college landscape, the kindness and helpfulness at Monterey Peninsula College have been invaluable, making my educational journey a positive and fulfilling experience. I look forward to earning my Associate’s Degree here and making many great memories!... Read 590 reviews

• grade B

• Acceptance rate 100%

• Net price $12,007

• SAT range —

• Whittier, CA•

• 2 Year

• •
  Rating 3.91 out of 5  865 reviews

Junior: Rio Hondo is such a great institution! From the great lab facilities to the great lunches at the café. Rio Hondo offers great staff and a set of wonderful professors who give you the help you need for success. The transfer center also has played a huge roll in my educational path. They are all friendly and very helpful with all the steps needed to transfer to any university. The difference between Rio and other junior colleges they sacrifice their time and refuse to give up on their students. Their love of success for their students is remarkable. In conclusion, I would highly recommend Rio Hondo Community College for its excellent staff and great help for all students on their journey to success!... Read 865 reviews

• grade B

• Acceptance rate 100%

• Net price $7,873

• SAT range —

• Oxnard, CA•

• 2 Year

• •
  Rating 3.94 out of 5  345 reviews

Freshman: Enrolling in this school is the best thing that ever happened to me. The counselors have become a crucial, motivating support system for me. It's something I've never had and desperately needed. The teachers have all been just as important to me. Here, I have never once been made to feel like I wasn't good enough. And that's how I've felt my whole life. I've been given a whole new outlook on the world and my part in it. They've given me confidence and revived the passion I have for writing. Now I have the courage to pursue my dream of becoming a writer. It doesn't seem impossible anymore. In fact, nothing seems impossible anymore. They helped me realize what I'm capable of and I could never repay them for that. Believe me when I say that this school has literally changed and saved my life and I wouldn't change a thing about it. Except maybe the fact that not enough people know how amazing they are. It should be broadcasted all over the world and I promise that is no exaggeration!... Read 345 reviews

• grade B

• Acceptance rate 100%

• Net price $3,441

• SAT range —

• Chula Vista, CA•

• 2 Year

• •
  Rating 3.8 out of 5  1,256 reviews

Sophomore: The faculty is professional and understanding. Most professors will offer alternatives to cheaper or will provide free texts for the course. Coursework is quite easy to understand and resources for tutoring and learning are advertised well around campus. Campus resources are easy to find. Classes are cheap compared to other local campuses in San Diego County. FAFSA will provide more aid when attending this school in comparison to City College. Really chill student life- laid-back people. Housing and transportation are necessary to thrive in this environment! Healthy food options are limited, I recommend eating at home. Snacks are everywhere for convenience on and around campus. Safe area, in the third safest city in California.... Read 1,256 reviews

• grade B

• Acceptance rate 100%

• Net price $6,789

• SAT range —

• Fresno, CA•

• 2 Year

• •
  Rating 3.7 out of 5  970 reviews

Senior: Fresno city college is an Amazing School. While I can only speak from my experience, all the professors I’ve had were excellent, passionate about what they teach and extremely knowledgeable- so much so you wonder why they are teaching at a community college! But they genuinely want to help their students succeed in whatever field/career/path they choose. FCC is also extremely diverse and you meet so many different people from different walks of life, and everyone is really respectful and understanding of different kinds of people. I struggle with pretty intense mental health issues and I’ve always felt accepted and have been met with empathy and compassion from fellow students and professors alike.I’ve learned so much, and have met so many incredible professors and people. FCC has greatly impacted my life for the better and has shaped who I am for the better.... Read 970 reviews

• grade B

• Acceptance rate 100%

• Net price $6,391

• SAT range —

• Wilmington, CA•

• 2 Year

• •
  Rating 3.9 out of 5  544 reviews

Sophomore: Throughout my time at Harbor College, I have encountered both good and bad experiences. There were times where I felt overwhelmed and lost, but I was able to persevere thanks to the support of my teachers. Despite the difficulties, I had some amazing teachers who believed in me and pushed me to reach my full potential. They have inspired me and helped me grow into the person I am today. I have been blessed with teachers and staff who have gone above and beyond to provide me with the resources and support I needed to succeed. They have been incredibly patient with me when I had difficulty understanding the material and have always been encouraging to me. I am grateful for their dedication and commitment to my success. Graduating from college is a milestone I've been working towards for a long time, and I'm proud to be able to say that I'm finally here. I'm immensely excited to take the next step in my life and pursue the career that I've always dreamed of.... Read 544 reviews

• grade B

• Acceptance rate 100%

• Net price $12,787

• SAT range —

• Torrance, CA•

• 2 Year

• •
  Rating 3.79 out of 5  1,554 reviews

Sophomore: I have had an incredible experience so far at El Camino College. I joined the First Year Experience program which introduced me to new people on campus who are now some of my closest friends. Something else I love about this program and the college itself is how active the student community is from all the events they have going on to the amazing environment they have in the different rooms of the library. Having not been an active student at my high school in any school related events, I have found it to be so fun and a really great college experience for me to have all of the resources they provide. Along with amazing people, the professors and classes that I have taken have been so supportive and helpful as well!... Read 1,554 reviews

• grade B minus

• Acceptance rate 100%

• Net price $13,296

• SAT range —

• San Marcos, CA•

• 2 Year

• •
  Rating 3.78 out of 5  1,253 reviews

Alum: Not exactly the ideal "college experience" for incoming college freshman/sophomores, but still a great community college experience! I am really glad I spent my first two years of college at Palomar Community College instead of going straight to a university. I had a great community college experience at Palomar. Lots of good, well-funded programs, mostly pretty good professors, the campus is recently rebuilt, the price to attend is very affordable, theres a decent amount of affordable parking, pretty diverse student body, and overall has a quality comparable to a university in terms of academics. Because it's a commuter community college, the social life is obviously lacking, but that is to be expected. I really liked Palomar and more people should attend community college especially at Palomar.... Read 1,253 reviews

• grade B minus

• Acceptance rate 100%

• Net price $6,659

• SAT range —

• Rocklin, CA•

• 2 Year

• •
  Rating 3.86 out of 5  1,200 reviews

Sophomore: Sierra College changed my entire outlook on community college. I was able to start taking classes at Sierra in my sophomore year of high school; they had integrated dual-enrollment courses so students could begin accumulating college credits. I took as many of these classes as I could, and was able to graduate high school early, and enter Sierra College full-time in the Spring. This transition was made easy by the Sierra College counselors and professors, who all encouraged taking a non-tradiational pathway. My education through Sierra College has been nothing but advantageous. The college offers a wide variety of classes, which made it easy for me to complete my transfer requirements in under two years. I am now able to transfer to any CSU and multiple elite four-year colleges with 62 units on my transcript. In addition to this, the campus is beautiful. It is clean, feels safe, and fosters a very welcoming community. The infastructure additions to the campus are incredible as well!... Read 1,200 reviews

• grade B minus

• Acceptance rate 100%

• Net price $5,921

• SAT range —

• Riverside, CA•

• 2 Year

• •
  Rating 3.74 out of 5  1,360 reviews

Freshman: What I like about Riverside City College, it has EOPS, Veteran needs, basic needs, health support service is free, cheap tuition, the best clubs with students in it, nice students, make friends, students seem nice, fun activities on campus, fees are not that high, good securities, security alarm if necessary, cal fresh, they give free food to students who need it some, good community, available study room, disability resource center, and there is a lot of support. If you tell your consumer that you struggling, they will support you. I'm going to call Riverside Community College, the number 1 and safest college to go to. Nothing in Riverside College, bad about it. Office hours or personal tutors are available to all students. Don't hesitate, to ask for help, they will know how to assist you. The professors, I would give them 4 or 5 stars, because they are on good behavior for all students. They treat students, like adults. No dorms!... Read 1,360 reviews

• grade B minus

• Acceptance rate 100%

• Net price $7,161

• SAT range —

• Redding, CA•

• 2 Year

• •
  Rating 3.6 out of 5  699 reviews

Freshman: While I’m only a freshman, and have only been on campus for a few weeks now, but there is already so much the campus has done for me to achieve my academic goals. The campus is filled with wonderful teachers that strive to empower their students, and the tutoring center is a great way get any extra help in any particular area of study. And it’s free! You can’t beat that deal! However, if I could change one aspect of Shasta College, it would be the online canvas system. Sometimes canvas can be a little challenging to navigate (especially if you’re a first time student), but modifying canvas would help take away many students’ stress, for the majority of the stress is from trying to understand canvas system.... Read 699 reviews

• grade B minus

• Acceptance rate 100%

• Net price $7,973

• SAT range —

• Palm Desert, CA•

• 2 Year

• •
  Rating 3.86 out of 5  1,004 reviews

Freshman: College of the Desert has been very good to me. I am not someone who needs tons of attention and the ability to do the majority of my classes online has been very freeing for me. Talking to financial aid over the phone has been known to be quite tricky for me. It often feels that when I go there in person they are free expeditiously but again, over the phone they are hard to get a hold of. The professors have been generally good to me. Most of them are really understanding when you need an extension on work and will allow it if you ask them. Overall it's a very good academic institution!... Read 1,004 reviews

• grade B minus

• Acceptance rate 100%

• Net price $14,179

• SAT range —

• Monterey Park, CA•

• 2 Year

• •
  Rating 3.87 out of 5  1,272 reviews

Alum: I attended ELAC for three years before I transferred to the University of California Santa Barbara. At this institution, I felt extremely supported by student personnel. Counselors assured me I was on the right track to transferring by explaining the general ed courses needed to transfer to my dream colleges. Within 3 years I was able to transfer with an outstanding GPA of 3.7. The counselors are easy to access and talk to, the professors are relatable and they are very empathetic to students and their struggles. One of the best community colleges in the area!... Read 1,272 reviews

• grade B minus

• Acceptance rate 100%

• Net price $12,028

• SAT range —

• Yucaipa, CA•

• 2 Year

• •
  Rating 3.75 out of 5  537 reviews

Alum: Because of the small campus size, I wasn't overwhelmed by the volume of students and often felt very comfortable navigating around on my own. Communicating with my professors and administration was an easy process and they were friendly and happy to help. I also appreciated the amount of resources the school shared with us - everything from workshops at the tutoring center to college fairs to club events with free food. This school stays on top of communications with its students. For online courses, though I took them during the pandemic, I hope that the professors receive a proper education in order to elevate students' online learning.... Read 537 reviews

• grade C+

• Acceptance rate 100%

• Net price $20,456

• SAT range —

• Pittsburg, CA•

• 2 Year

• •
  Rating 3.79 out of 5  749 reviews

Sophomore: Los Medanos College is such an excellent school. The student programs they offer really help with the transferring process. LMC has so many resources such as clubs, tutoring, the library/computer access, bookstore, and the professors are remarkable. Student life at the campus is very lively! With program engagement, many students stay busy and get involved with the community. LMC offers so many activities and chances to promote your education.... Read 749 reviews

• grade C+

• Acceptance rate 100%

• Net price $7,231

• SAT range —

• Visalia, CA•

• 2 Year

• •
  Rating 3.72 out of 5  779 reviews

Sophomore: College of the Sequoias is easily one of the best community colleges in the central valley! I love how many campuses, from Hanford, Visalia, to Tulare, there's a diversity of people and classes. The campus is always big and well taken care of. The professors take care of their rooms with so much care and love. I love how invested professors are to their students, even during covid I was able to reach out to my professors a lot an they seemed to care so much about me and my education. The student life is amazing, If College to the Sequoias was a 4 year college I would still be here!... Read 779 reviews

• grade C+

• Acceptance rate 100%

• Net price $5,205

• SAT range —

• Imperial, CA•

• 2 Year

• •
  Rating 3.62 out of 5  395 reviews

Junior: Going to Imperial Valley College is excellent. They have many opportunities offered to you such as book money, EPOS, Sports, counseling via Zoom or in-person, online classes, and even afternoon classes. Having the online and afternoon classes is very helpful because I work full time and being offered these types of classes, I can still pursue my degree. The professors that I have had classes with are also very helpful not just with the class but with other things such as registration or what other professors they recommend. I highly recommend Imperial Valley College when looking into getting an associate's degree.... Read 395 reviews

• grade C+

• Acceptance rate 100%

• Net price $2,300

• SAT range —

• Modesto, CA•

• 2 Year

• •
  Rating 3.61 out of 5  1,266 reviews

Sophomore: The professors at MJC are fantastic! They want to help you succeed and do everything in their power to assist. They are very encouraging and guide students to create good study habits. The West Campus is very nice and well maintained. The atmosphere there is relaxing and motivating. Everybody there is nice and helpful for those who need it. The cafeteria is good with lots of options for hungry students. Free lunch on Wednesday is really nice! Overall, MJC is a great junior college.... Read 1,266 reviews

• grade C+

• Acceptance rate 100%

• Net price $14,421

• SAT range —

• Moreno Valley, CA•

• 2 Year

• •
  Rating 3.75 out of 5  456 reviews

Junior: Personally, I believe Moreno Valley College is a relatively good school for individuals looking to obtain credits through their general education requirements without having to pay a huge tuition. At the same time, the campus is often a calm environment, allowing students to have space to socialize or simply work on their assignments. In addition, since this is a community college, there is no distinct athletic programs or party scenes. Depending on the course the student is taking, the professors and their course outline tends to vary. However, they are always willing to connect you to countless resources whether it is with tutoring with themselves or through the campus itself.... Read 456 reviews

• grade C+

• Acceptance rate 100%

• Net price $4,899

• SAT range —