WhatGradsMake
Bachelor's-26% vs national median141 grads tracked

Fire Protection at Western Illinois University

Ranked 18th of 19 bachelor's programs in Fire Protection by 5-year earnings.

Median · 1 year out
$39,425
middle 50%: $28,769 – $57,323
Median · 5 years out
$74,186
middle 50%: $63,548 – $94,789
Median · 10 years out
n/a
not enough graduates to report

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 Western Illinois University's bachelor's program in Fire Protection earn a median $39,425 one year after graduating, rising to $74,186 by year five. Five years out, earnings run 26% below the national median of $99,699 for this field, ranking 18th 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
6.3 yrs
≈ $7,416 total interest

Same major at other universities

Fayetteville State University
$89,277 · 5 yrs out
University of New Haven
$86,086 · 5 yrs out
Utah Valley University
$83,557 · 5 yrs out
CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice
$82,048 · 5 yrs out
University of North Carolina - Charlotte
$81,671 · 5 yrs out
Brigham Young University - Idaho
$77,524 · 5 yrs out
University of Akron (The)
$66,113 · 5 yrs out

Other majors at Western Illinois University

Education (Doctorate)
$163,593 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Master's)
$107,538 · 5 yrs out
Engineering/Engineering-Related Technologies/Technicians (Master's)
$98,269 · 5 yrs out
Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting and Related Protective Services (Master's)
$97,417 · 5 yrs out
Physical Sciences (Master's)
$97,160 · 5 yrs out
Engineering (Bachelor's)
$97,133 · 5 yrs out
Engineering, General (Bachelor's)
$96,422 · 5 yrs out
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (Master's)
$84,414 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's)
$82,090 · 5 yrs out
Construction Management (Bachelor's)
$82,014 · 5 yrs out
Engineering Technologies/Technicians, General (Bachelor's)
$81,320 · 5 yrs out
Engineering/Engineering-Related Technologies/Technicians (Bachelor's)
$80,729 · 5 yrs out

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