Fire Protection programs
CIP 4302 · Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting · ranked by median earnings four years after completion
17 institutions report graduate earnings for Fire Protection programs (College Scorecard, 2024-25). Across them the median is $87,771 four years after completion, with a typical debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.22× and 93% of graduates earning above the federal earnings threshold. Indicatively, all 20 programs with a benchmark clear the earnings-premium benchmark used by the 2025 federal test (effective July 1, 2026).
| # | Institution | Earn 4yr | % > threshold | Median debt | Debt/earn | Earnings premium | 2 of 3 yrs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Anna Maria CollegeMA · Bachelor's | $110,044 n=50 | 91% 5yr | $23,250 | 0.21× | Above +153% | Clears 2/2 |
| 2 | Southern Illinois University-CarbondaleIL · Bachelor's | $108,135 n=29 | 93% 1yr | $15,000 | 0.14× | Above +187% | — |
| 3 | Waldorf UniversityIA · Bachelor's | $100,060 n=85 | 100% 5yr | $18,750 | 0.19× | Above +160% | Clears 2/2 |
| 4 | Oklahoma State University-Main CampusOK · Bachelor's | $99,557 n=52 | 95% 5yr | $26,000 | 0.26× | Above +181% | Clears 2/2 |
| 5 | Colorado State University-Fort CollinsCO · Bachelor's | $98,019 n=20 | 100% 5yr | $20,000 | 0.20× | Above +136% | — |
| 6 | University of FloridaFL · Bachelor's | $97,839 n=30 | 93% 1yr | $18,405 | 0.19× | Above +190% | — |
| 7 | University of Florida-OnlineFL · Bachelor's | $97,839 n=30 | 93% 1yr | $18,405 | 0.19× | Above +190% | — |
| 8 | Waldorf UniversityIA · Associate | $90,602 n=39 | 95% 5yr | $11,200 | 0.12× | Above +135% | Clears 2/2 |
| 9 | Columbia Southern UniversityAL · Bachelor's | $88,735 n=246 | 71% | $20,895 | 0.23× | Above +157% | Clears 2/2 |
| 10 | Columbia Southern UniversityAL · Associate | $88,114 n=317 | 69% | $9,500 | 0.11× | Above +156% | Clears 2/2 |
| 11 | American Public University SystemWV · Bachelor's | $87,428 n=31 | 100% 5yr | $23,688 | 0.27× | Above +149% | Clears 2/2 |
| 12 | Eastern Kentucky UniversityKY · Bachelor's | $80,497 n=66 | 97% 5yr | $27,000 | 0.34× | Above +132% | Clears 2/2 |
| 13 | University of New HavenCT · Bachelor's | $79,199 n=37 | 97% 5yr | $24,156 | 0.30× | Above +88% | Clears 2/2 |
| 14 | American Public University SystemWV · Associate | $77,650 n=23 | 82% 5yr | — | — | Above +121% | Clears 2/2 |
| 15 | Fayetteville State UniversityNC · Bachelor's | $73,969 n=23 | 94% 5yr | $13,836 | 0.19× | Above +116% | Clears 2/2 |
| 16 | CUNY John Jay College of Criminal JusticeNY · Bachelor's | $72,228 n=31 | 76% 1yr | — | — | Above +90% | Clears 2/2 |
| 17 | University of Akron Main CampusOH · Bachelor's | $71,482 n=36 | 95% 5yr | $24,405 | 0.34× | Above +94% | Clears 2/2 |
| 18 | New Jersey City UniversityNJ · Bachelor's | $69,444 n=24 | 87% 5yr | $24,555 | 0.35× | Above +74% | Clears 2/2 |
| 19 | Western Illinois UniversityIL · Bachelor's | $68,753 n=45 | 73% 1yr | $20,931 | 0.30× | Above +82% | — |
| 20 | Methodist UniversityNC · Bachelor's | $53,649 n=25 | — | $27,000 | 0.50× | Above +56% | — |
% > threshold is ED's own share of graduates earning above the federal earnings threshold, taken from the best available measurement window (4-, 5- or 1-year) pooled across all nine College Scorecard Field-of-Study releases; a chip marks any figure not on the 4-year window. Earnings premium compares median earnings four years out to the U.S. Census ACS median for a high-school graduate (undergraduate credentials) or bachelor's-degree holder (graduate credentials) in the institution's state. 2 of 3 yrs flags programs below that benchmark in two of the latest three reported cohort-years — the statutory trigger under the 2025 federal earnings-premium test (effective July 1, 2026). Indicative estimates; the Department of Education's official determination may differ. Figures lag the current year by 2–3 years.
Which colleges have the highest-paying Fire Protection programs?
By median earnings four years after completion, the highest-paying Fire Protection programs in this dataset are Anna Maria College ($110,044), Southern Illinois University-Carbondale ($108,135), Waldorf University ($100,060). Earnings reflect College Scorecard field-of-study data (2024-25) and vary by credential level and location.
Are Fire Protection programs at risk under the federal earnings-premium test?
Indicatively, 0 of the 20 Fire Protection programs with both earnings and a state/national benchmark have median graduate earnings below the earnings-premium benchmark used by the 2025 federal test (effective July 1, 2026), under which a program can lose Title IV eligibility if its graduates earn less than a typical worker without the credential for 2 of 3 years. This estimate uses College Scorecard earnings vs U.S. Census ACS medians; the Department of Education's official determination uses its own cohort definition and may differ.
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Source: U.S. Department of Education — College Scorecard Field of Study, 2014–15 through 2022–23 cohorts plus the most-recent snapshot (2024-25); threshold pass-rates pooled across all nine releases. Earnings-premium benchmarks from the U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (ACS). Compiled by Ibex Insights. See the methodology.