WhatGradsMake
Bachelor's+29% vs national median910 grads tracked

Fire Protection at Southern Illinois University at Carbondale

Ranked 3rd of 19 bachelor's programs in Fire Protection by 5-year earnings.

Median · 1 year out
$121,731
middle 50%: $94,851 – $151,004
Median · 5 years out
$128,910
middle 50%: $99,646 – $157,025
Median · 10 years out
$137,991
middle 50%: $106,626 – $163,027

Salary trajectory

Median earnings vs the national median for Fire Protection (bachelor's) graduates.

This program (median)National median, same major & degreeMiddle 50% of graduates

Graduates of Southern Illinois University at Carbondale's bachelor's program in Fire Protection earn a median $121,731 one year after graduating, rising to $137,991 by year ten. Five years out, earnings run 29% above the national median of $99,699 for this field, ranking 3rd of 19 reporting programs.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau PSEO, release V4.13.0 2025Q4. Earnings are for graduates working in covered states; figures are medians in nominal dollars.

Will the degree pay for itself?

Drag the sliders — payback uses this program's actual salary curve.

Assumes a 6.5% APR loan and this program's median salary trajectory (interpolated between years 1, 5 and 10).

Paid off in
2.7 yrs
≈ $2,762 total interest

Same major at other universities

Lewis University
$149,696 · 5 yrs out
Eastern Oregon University
$147,757 · 5 yrs out
Salem State University
$128,416 · 5 yrs out
Western Oregon University
$124,373 · 5 yrs out
Bowling Green State University
$121,481 · 5 yrs out
Colorado State University
$120,903 · 5 yrs out
University of Cincinnati
$110,004 · 5 yrs out
Oklahoma State University
$99,699 · 5 yrs out

Other majors at Southern Illinois University at Carbondale

Health Professions and Related Programs (Doctorate)
$183,045 · 5 yrs out
Medicine (Doctorate)
$183,045 · 5 yrs out
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (Doctorate)
$146,060 · 5 yrs out
Engineering (Doctorate)
$128,254 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Master's)
$112,207 · 5 yrs out
Engineering (Master's)
$110,141 · 5 yrs out
Mining and Mineral Engineering (Bachelor's)
$98,560 · 5 yrs out
Computer Engineering (Bachelor's)
$97,955 · 5 yrs out
Engineering/Engineering-Related Technologies/Technicians (Master's)
$97,921 · 5 yrs out
Education (Doctorate)
$95,779 · 5 yrs out
Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's)
$95,729 · 5 yrs out
Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians (Bachelor's)
$93,359 · 5 yrs out

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