I would ask around -- current EMTs -- and find out where they went and how they felt about the program, especially since they are now putting their knowledge to use. Around here there are not many options....and most folks have a very strong opinion based on their experience and the experiences they hear from others.
I will say -- and this is definitely JUST my opinion -- the experience of becoming an EMT (learning, understanding and applying the material) is largely (and by that, I mean almost exclusively) up to you. I have taken EMS training and courses from 3 different instructors who represented 3 different providers (ambulance, volunteer fire, and state fire academy) -- all instructors were experienced Paramedics, and each had their own inimitable teaching style. In the end, what I got from the course was truly what I put into it. I didn't love every educational experience, and it has inspired me to pursue becoming an EMS educator, but honestly, no matter how great of an instructor I think I'll be, I'm sure my students will only "get" what they "take".
The TLDR (probably should have put this at the top) -- folks are suggesting convenient locations and economical options because they know that it's not the "source of the water," but rather how "thirsty and creative of a drinker" you are.
