Associate-23% vs national median165 grads tracked
Fire Protection at Helena College University of Montana
Ranked 93rd of 101 associate programs in Fire Protection by 5-year earnings.
Median · 1 year out
$35,792
middle 50%: $25,774 – $48,567
Median · 5 years out
$62,818
middle 50%: $46,903 – $84,400
Median · 10 years out
$76,015
middle 50%: $47,574 – $91,987
Salary trajectory
Median earnings vs the national median for Fire Protection (associate) graduates.
This program (median)National median, same major & degreeMiddle 50% of graduates
Helena College University of Montana sees Fire Protection associates earning $36k in year one. Median salaries hit $76k by year ten.
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
7.1 yrs
≈ $8,501 total interest
Same major at other universities
Aims Community College
$66,937 · 5 yrs out
Greenville Technical College
$65,194 · 5 yrs out
Kirkwood Community College
$65,062 · 5 yrs out
Lake Superior College
$64,326 · 5 yrs out
Onondaga Community College
$64,257 · 5 yrs out
Owens Community College
$63,548 · 5 yrs out
Erie Community College
$61,498 · 5 yrs out
Vincennes University
$60,590 · 5 yrs out
University of Akron (The)
$60,484 · 5 yrs out
Parkland College
$54,051 · 5 yrs out
Ozarks Technical Community College
$53,767 · 5 yrs out
Hawaii Community College
$51,223 · 5 yrs out
Other majors at Helena College University of Montana
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Associate)
$78,415 · 5 yrs out
Health Professions and Related Programs (Associate)
$62,393 · 5 yrs out
Precision Production (Certificate)
$60,837 · 5 yrs out
Precision Metal Working (Certificate)
$60,837 · 5 yrs out
Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting and Related Protective Services (Associate)
$60,738 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Associate)
$59,048 · 5 yrs out
Computer Programming (Associate)
$59,048 · 5 yrs out
Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants (Associate)
$58,213 · 5 yrs out
Precision Production (Associate)
$55,573 · 5 yrs out
Precision Metal Working (Associate)
$55,573 · 5 yrs out
Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants (Certificate)
$53,873 · 5 yrs out
Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians (Associate)
$52,221 · 5 yrs out
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