Fire Protection programs
CIP 4302 · Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting · ranked by median earnings four years after completion
71 institutions report graduate earnings for Fire Protection programs (College Scorecard, 2024-25). Across them the median is $69,090 four years after completion, with a typical debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.16× and 92% of graduates earning above the federal earnings threshold. Indicatively, 1 of the 81 programs with both earnings and a benchmark fall below the earnings-premium benchmark used by the 2025 federal test (effective July 1, 2026); the rest clear it.
National ranking
| # | Institution | Earn 4yr | % > threshold | Median debt | Debt/earn | Earnings premium | 2 of 3 yrs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Southern Illinois University-CarbondaleIL · Bachelor's | $108,135 n=29 | 93% 1yr | $15,000 | 0.14× | Above +187% | – |
| 2 | Cincinnati State Technical and Community CollegeOH · Associate | $103,302 n=20 | 100% 1yr | – | – | Above +181% | – |
| 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 | Purdue University GlobalIN · Bachelor's | $97,967 n=96 | 83% 5yr | $29,363 | 0.30× | Above +162% | Clears 2/2 |
| 7 | University of FloridaFL · Bachelor's | $97,839 n=30 | 93% 1yr | $18,405 | 0.19× | Above +190% | – |
| 8 | University of Florida-OnlineFL · Bachelor's | $97,839 n=30 | 93% 1yr | $18,405 | 0.19× | Above +190% | – |
| 9 | Central Oregon Community CollegeOR · Associate | $96,494 n=19 | – | – | – | Above +163% | – |
| 10 | Waldorf UniversityIA · Associate | $90,602 n=39 | 95% 5yr | $11,200 | 0.12× | Above +135% | Clears 2/2 |
| 11 | College of DuPageIL · Associate | $89,991 n=17 | – | – | – | Above +139% | – |
| 12 | Columbia Southern UniversityAL · Bachelor's | $88,735 n=246 | 71% | $20,895 | 0.23× | Above +157% | Clears 2/2 |
| 13 | Columbia Southern UniversityAL · Associate | $88,114 n=317 | 69% | $9,500 | 0.11× | Above +156% | Clears 2/2 |
| 14 | North Shore Community CollegeMA · Associate | $87,731 n=22 | 94% 1yr | – | – | Above +102% | Clears 2/2 |
| 15 | American Public University SystemWV · Bachelor's | $87,428 n=31 | 100% 5yr | $23,688 | 0.27× | Above +149% | Clears 2/2 |
| 16 | Utah Valley UniversityUT · Bachelor's | $83,807 n=81 | 95% 5yr | $15,250 | 0.18× | Above +111% | Clears 2/2 |
| 17 | Southwestern Illinois CollegeIL · UG cert | $82,343 n=27 | 86% 5yr | – | – | Above +118% | Clears 2/2 |
| 18 | Fresno City CollegeCA · UG cert | $81,940 n=16 | – | – | – | Above +113% | – |
| 19 | Blinn College DistrictTX · Associate | $81,556 n=24 | – | $10,500 | 0.13× | Above +128% | – |
| 20 | Purdue University GlobalIN · Associate | $81,259 n=33 | 93% 5yr | $20,252 | 0.25× | Above +117% | Clears 2/2 |
| 21 | Eastern Kentucky UniversityKY · Bachelor's | $80,497 n=66 | 97% 5yr | $27,000 | 0.34× | Above +132% | Clears 2/2 |
| 22 | University of New HavenCT · Bachelor's | $79,199 n=37 | 97% 5yr | $24,156 | 0.30× | Above +88% | Clears 2/2 |
| 23 | Utah Valley UniversityUT · Associate | $78,436 n=21 | 97% 5yr | $10,370 | 0.13× | Above +97% | Clears 2/2 |
| 24 | Moreno Valley CollegeCA · UG cert | $77,923 n=23 | – | – | – | Above +103% | – |
| 25 | American Public University SystemWV · Associate | $77,650 n=23 | 82% 5yr | – | – | Above +121% | Clears 2/2 |
| 26 | Aims Community CollegeCO · UG cert | $77,127 n=29 | – | – | – | Above +85% | – |
| 27 | Southern Maine Community CollegeME · Associate | $76,281 n=24 | 89% 5yr | $12,000 | 0.16× | Above +109% | Clears 2/2 |
| 28 | Purdue University GlobalIN · Master's | $74,656 n=64 | 100% | $36,322 | 0.49× | Above +28% | Below 1/2 |
| 29 | Mt San Antonio CollegeCA · Associate | $74,354 n=21 | – | – | – | Above +93% | – |
| 30 | Santa Ana CollegeCA · Associate | $74,290 n=85 | 95% 5yr | – | – | Above +93% | Clears 2/2 |
| 31 | Fayetteville State UniversityNC · Bachelor's | $73,969 n=23 | 94% 5yr | $13,836 | 0.19× | Above +116% | Clears 2/2 |
| 32 | Florida State College at JacksonvilleFL · UG cert | $72,823 n=16 | – | – | – | Above +116% | – |
| 33 | Fox Valley Technical CollegeWI · Associate | $72,460 n=16 | 85% 5yr | $8,625 | 0.12× | Above +86% | Clears 2/2 |
| 34 | CUNY John Jay College of Criminal JusticeNY · Bachelor's | $72,228 n=31 | 76% 1yr | – | – | Above +90% | Clears 2/2 |
| 35 | University of Akron Main CampusOH · Bachelor's | $71,482 n=36 | 95% 5yr | $24,405 | 0.34× | Above +94% | Clears 2/2 |
| 36 | Honolulu Community CollegeHI · Associate | $70,582 n=21 | – | – | – | Above +73% | – |
| 37 | Sinclair Community CollegeOH · UG cert | $70,194 n=40 | 85% 5yr | $5,500 | 0.08× | Above +91% | Clears 2/2 |
| 38 | Shasta CollegeCA · UG cert | $70,119 n=23 | – | – | – | Above +82% | – |
| 39 | St Petersburg CollegeFL · UG cert | $69,864 n=17 | 90% 1yr | $7,367 | 0.10× | Above +107% | – |
| 40 | New Jersey City UniversityNJ · Bachelor's | $69,444 n=24 | 87% 5yr | $24,555 | 0.35× | Above +74% | Clears 2/2 |
| 41 | Hillsborough CollegeFL · UG cert | $69,090 n=63 | 96% 5yr | – | – | Above +105% | Clears 2/2 |
| 42 | Santa Ana CollegeCA · UG cert | $68,944 n=188 | 75% 1yr | – | – | Above +79% | – |
| 43 | Western Illinois UniversityIL · Bachelor's | $68,753 n=45 | 73% 1yr | $20,931 | 0.30× | Above +82% | – |
| 44 | Pima Community CollegeAZ · Associate | $68,557 n=18 | 92% 5yr | – | – | Above +86% | Clears 2/2 |
| 45 | Lamar Institute of TechnologyTX · UG cert | $68,097 n=29 | 94% 1yr | – | – | Above +90% | – |
| 46 | McHenry County CollegeIL · UG cert | $67,833 n=21 | – | – | – | Above +80% | – |
| 47 | Butte CollegeCA · UG cert | $67,238 n=38 | – | – | – | Above +75% | – |
| 48 | Springfield Technical Community CollegeMA · Associate | $67,156 n=17 | – | – | – | Above +54% | – |
| 49 | Lake Superior CollegeMN · Associate | $66,854 n=20 | – | – | – | Above +67% | – |
| 50 | Palm Beach State CollegeFL · UG cert | $66,689 n=30 | 97% 5yr | – | – | Above +97% | Clears 2/2 |
| 51 | First Coast Technical CollegeFL · UG cert | $66,303 n=16 | – | – | – | Above +96% | – |
| 52 | Vincennes UniversityIN · Associate | $64,879 n=25 | 91% 5yr | $12,000 | 0.18× | Above +73% | Clears 2/2 |
| 53 | Austin Community College DistrictTX · UG cert | $64,664 n=49 | 91% 5yr | $3,500 | 0.05× | Above +81% | Clears 2/2 |
| 54 | College of Southern NevadaNV · Associate | $64,487 n=18 | – | – | – | Above +71% | – |
| 55 | Hutchinson Community CollegeKS · Associate | $63,072 n=30 | 93% 5yr | $9,750 | 0.15× | Above +73% | Clears 2/2 |
| 56 | Indian River State CollegeFL · UG cert | $62,176 n=27 | 91% 5yr | $4,500 | 0.07× | Above +84% | Clears 2/2 |
| 57 | Oakland Community CollegeMI · UG cert | $61,752 n=32 | – | – | – | Above +76% | – |
| 58 | Daytona State CollegeFL · UG cert | $61,737 n=34 | 100% 5yr | – | – | Above +83% | Clears 2/2 |
| 59 | Valencia CollegeFL · Associate | $61,605 n=24 | 73% 1yr | – | – | Above +82% | – |
| 60 | Navarro CollegeTX · UG cert | $59,955 n=37 | 81% 5yr | $5,500 | 0.09× | Above +68% | Clears 2/2 |
| 61 | North Central Texas CollegeTX · UG cert | $59,766 n=20 | – | – | – | Above +67% | – |
| 62 | Marion Technical CollegeFL · UG cert | $58,401 n=26 | 71% 1yr | – | – | Above +73% | – |
| 63 | Pueblo Community CollegeCO · UG cert | $58,358 n=37 | – | $3,500 | 0.06× | Above +40% | – |
| 64 | Hill CollegeTX · UG cert | $58,234 n=23 | – | – | – | Above +63% | – |
| 65 | Eastern Oklahoma County Technology CenterOK · UG cert | $57,453 n=23 | – | – | – | Above +62% | Clears 2/2 |
| 66 | Pima Community CollegeAZ · UG cert | $56,270 n=36 | 60% 1yr | – | – | Above +53% | – |
| 67 | Houston City CollegeTX · UG cert | $56,144 n=55 | 84% 5yr | $3,873 | 0.07× | Above +57% | Clears 2/2 |
| 68 | Metropolitan Community College-Kansas CityMO · UG cert | $56,042 n=49 | 96% 5yr | $5,343 | 0.10× | Above +57% | Clears 2/2 |
| 69 | Central New Mexico Community CollegeNM · Associate | $55,883 n=19 | 96% 5yr | $5,570 | 0.10× | Above +72% | Clears 2/2 |
| 70 | Great Plains Technology CenterOK · UG cert | $55,733 n=17 | – | – | – | Above +57% | – |
| 71 | Eastern Florida State CollegeFL · UG cert | $55,414 n=23 | – | – | – | Above +64% | – |
| 72 | McLennan Community CollegeTX · UG cert | $55,259 n=21 | 82% 5yr | $3,480 | 0.06× | Above +55% | Clears 2/2 |
| 73 | Indian River State CollegeFL · Associate | $54,150 n=20 | 86% 5yr | $5,900 | 0.11× | Above +60% | Clears 2/2 |
| 74 | Modesto Junior CollegeCA · UG cert | $53,962 n=20 | – | – | – | Above +40% | – |
| 75 | Methodist UniversityNC · Bachelor's | $53,649 n=25 | – | $27,000 | 0.50× | Above +56% | – |
| 76 | Butte CollegeCA · Associate | $52,959 n=33 | – | – | – | Above +38% | – |
| 77 | Great Oaks Career CampusesOH · UG cert | $51,923 n=25 | 67% 1yr | $3,808 | 0.07× | Above +41% | – |
| 78 | Mahoning County Career and Technical CenterOH · UG cert | $51,914 n=18 | 86% 5yr | – | – | Above +41% | Clears 2/2 |
| 79 | Western Iowa Tech Community CollegeIA · UG cert | $49,177 n=17 | – | – | – | Above +28% | – |
| 80 | South Texas CollegeTX · UG cert | $43,838 n=24 | – | – | – | Above +23% | – |
| 81 | Passaic County Community CollegeNJ · UG cert | $37,203 n=19 | 70% 5yr | – | – | Below -7% | Below 2/2 |
% > 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.
By state, median earnings, 4 yrs out
| State | Median earn 4yr | Programs |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa | $90,602 | 3 |
| Illinois | $82,343 | 5 |
| Indiana | $77,958 | 4 |
| Colorado | $77,127 | 3 |
| Ohio | $70,194 | 5 |
| California | $70,119 | 9 |
| Florida | $66,303 | 13 |
| Texas | $59,766 | 9 |
| Oklahoma | $57,453 | 3 |
States with at least 3 reporting Fire Protection programs, by median graduate earnings.
Frequently asked
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 Southern Illinois University-Carbondale ($108,135), Cincinnati State Technical and Community College ($103,302), 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, 1 of the 81 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.