Best Schools for Fire Protection

Fire Protection graduates earn a median of $57,176 within two years of graduation, ranking #44 out of 292 tracked majors — 61% above the median across all fields. There are 21 colleges nationwide with tracked earnings for this major, producing 799 recent graduates.

Where you study matters: Eastern Oregon University graduates earn $92,632 while Western Illinois University graduates earn $30,771 — a $61,861 difference. Factors like location, employer networks, co-op programs, and curriculum focus drive this gap.

Early career salary growth is modest: Fire Protection graduates see an average 3% increase between year 1 and year 2 post-graduation, reflecting career advancement and skill development in the first years after college.

21
Schools
$57,176
Avg. 2yr Earnings
#44
of 292 Majors
799
Graduates

Public vs Private: Fire Protection

Public (12 schools)
$53,588
avg. 2yr earnings
Private (4 schools)
$53,440
avg. 2yr earnings

Public schools produce comparable or higher early earnings for Fire Protection, often at lower tuition — making them strong value options for this major.

Fire Protection by State

Top Fire Protection Schools by Graduate Earnings

#1
E

Eastern Oregon University

La Grande, OR · Public

$92,632
2yr Earnings
Acceptance: 98.8%
#2
A

Anna Maria College

Paxton, MA · Private

$84,653
2yr Earnings
Acceptance: 89.6%
#3
C

Colorado State University-Fort Collins

Fort Collins, CO · Public

$81,333
2yr Earnings
1yr: $76,384
Grads: 18
Acceptance: 89.6%
#4
A

American Public University System

Charles Town, WV ·

$76,460
2yr Earnings
1yr: $61,979
Grads: 25
Acceptance: N/A
#5
W

Waldorf University

Forest City, IA · For-Profit

$74,200
2yr Earnings
1yr: $74,071
Grads: 87
Acceptance: 72.6%
#6
P

Purdue University Global

West Lafayette, IN ·

$73,446
2yr Earnings
1yr: $73,459
Grads: 115
Acceptance: N/A
#7
O

Oklahoma State University-Main Campus

Stillwater, OK · Public

$72,231
2yr Earnings
1yr: $72,532
Grads: 43
Acceptance: 70.9%
#8
C

Columbia Southern University

Orange Beach, AL ·

$69,691
2yr Earnings
1yr: $70,128
Grads: 147
Acceptance: N/A
#9
F

Fayetteville State University

Fayetteville, NC · Public

$69,338
2yr Earnings
Acceptance: 79.9%
#10
U

University of North Carolina at Charlotte

Charlotte, NC · Public

$52,107
2yr Earnings
Acceptance: 80.2%
#11
U

Utah Valley University

Orem, UT ·

$50,105
2yr Earnings
1yr: $53,328
Grads: 92
Acceptance: N/A
#12
E

Eastern Kentucky University

Richmond, KY · Public

$49,787
2yr Earnings
1yr: $48,702
Grads: 76
Acceptance: 78.1%
#13
U

University of New Haven

West Haven, CT · Private

$48,682
2yr Earnings
1yr: $43,156
Grads: 39
Acceptance: 80.5%
#14
L

Lindenwood University

Saint Charles, MO · Private

$48,041
2yr Earnings
Acceptance: 65.9%
#15
L

Lake Superior State University

Sault Ste Marie, MI · Public

$47,260
2yr Earnings
Acceptance: 68.0%
#16
C

California State University-Los Angeles

Los Angeles, CA · Public

$39,729
2yr Earnings
1yr: $43,069
Grads: 24
Acceptance: 91.9%
#17
N

New Jersey City University

Jersey City, NJ · Public

$37,779
2yr Earnings
1yr: $32,493
Grads: 19
Acceptance: 89.2%
#18
U

University of Akron Main Campus

Akron, OH · Public

$36,094
2yr Earnings
1yr: $35,091
Grads: 34
Acceptance: 70.9%
#19
C

CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice

New York, NY · Public

$33,993
2yr Earnings
1yr: $43,142
Grads: 31
Acceptance: 57.2%
#20
M

Methodist University

Fayetteville, NC · Private

$32,382
2yr Earnings
1yr: $26,240
Grads: 21
Acceptance: 75.2%
#21
W

Western Illinois University

Macomb, IL · Public

$30,771
2yr Earnings
1yr: $35,038
Grads: 28
Acceptance: 75.0%

Majors with Similar Earnings

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best school for Fire Protection?
Eastern Oregon University ranks #1 for Fire Protection with median graduate earnings of $92,632 within two years. There are 21 schools nationwide offering this major with tracked earnings data.
How much do Fire Protection graduates earn?
Fire Protection graduates earn an average of $57,176 within two years of graduation. This is 61% above the median across all majors. Earnings range from $30,771 to $92,632 depending on the school.
How hard is it to get into a top Fire Protection program?
The average acceptance rate across Fire Protection programs is 78.4%. The most selective program is at CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice with a 57.2% acceptance rate. Competitive programs value strong math/analytical skills and relevant coursework.
Is a public or private school better for Fire Protection?
Private Fire Protection programs average $53,440 in early earnings vs $53,588 at public schools. Public schools offer competitive earnings at typically lower cost, making them strong value options.

Data updated June 2026. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings are median 2 years after graduation for bachelor's degree holders.

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