This week, Fire Science Online released a list of the top 80 colleges with paramedics and emergency medical technicians (EMTs) programs which provide good returns on investment -- and 20 of the schools included in the rankings are located in Florida.
Drawing on data from the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics and various education agencies, the rankings only included schools which keep tuition less than $10,000 annually.
Using only the most trusted data, we crafted this list of the EMT programs with the highest degree value in the country, explained the Fire Science Online editors. The institutions included on our list have annual tuition rates below $10,000 -- this figure includes tuition only; some colleges may have other fees associated with enrollment -- and graduates from any of these schools that pursue careers in the EMT and paramedic field can expect to make at least three times that amount yearly.
California schools led the list with the top seven spots. The College of the Sequoias topped the rankings followed by Butte College, East Los Angeles College, Santa Rosa Junior College, Bakersfield College, Los Medanos College and Skyline College.
Broward College was the top ranked school from the Sunshine State, placing 20th on the list. The College of Central Florida was right behind in 21st place.
A host of schools from Florida were bunched up in the high 20s and low 30s in the rankings. Santa Fe College placed 27th with Hillsborough Community College right behind at 28th and Brevard Community College in 29th. Pensacola State College took 30th followed by Florida State College at Jacksonville in 31st, Tallahassee Community College in 32nd and Gulf Coast State College in 33rd.
Pasco Hernando Community College took 36th with Northwest Florida State College in 37th. Valencia College placed 39th.
Seven schools from Florida were ranked in the 40s on the list. Palm Beach State College took 40th followed by St. Petersburg College in 41st and Miami Dade College in 42nd. Seminole State College of Florida placed 43rd followed by Polk State College in 44th and Indian River State College in 45th. Edison State College was ranked 47th.
Daytona State College placed 57th on the list.
EMTs and paramedics continue to be in demand -- the Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates the need for EMTs and paramedics will increase 33 percent from 2010 until 2020.
Reach Kevin Derby at kderby@sunshinestatenews.com or follow him on Twitter at @KevinDerbySSN.
