WhatGradsMake
Associate-10% vs national median119 grads tracked

Fire Protection at Montana State University - Billings

Ranked 71st of 101 associate programs in Fire Protection by 5-year earnings.

Median · 1 year out
$43,047
middle 50%: $31,244 – $57,025
Median · 5 years out
$73,442
middle 50%: $42,776 – $92,673
Median · 10 years out
$86,835
middle 50%: $72,242 – $99,793

Salary trajectory

Median earnings vs the national median for Fire Protection (associate) graduates.

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

Graduates of Montana State University - Billings's associate program in Fire Protection earn a median $43,047 one year after graduating, rising to $86,835 by year ten. Five years out, earnings run 10% below the national median of $81,295 for this field, ranking 71st of 101 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
6.1 yrs
≈ $7,128 total interest

Same major at other universities

Elgin Community College
$75,786 · 5 yrs out
Blinn College
$75,548 · 5 yrs out
Louisiana State University at Eunice
$75,224 · 5 yrs out
Cincinnati State Technical & Community College
$74,364 · 5 yrs out
Metropolitan Community College
$74,055 · 5 yrs out
Schenectady County Community College
$73,728 · 5 yrs out
William Rainey Harper College
$73,014 · 5 yrs out
Rock Valley College
$72,966 · 5 yrs out
Jefferson College
$72,896 · 5 yrs out
Oklahoma State University - Oklahoma City
$72,848 · 5 yrs out
J Sargeant Reynolds Community College
$72,156 · 5 yrs out
Casper College
$71,949 · 5 yrs out

Other majors at Montana State University - Billings

Electromechanical Technologies/Technicians (Associate)
$116,034 · 5 yrs out
Parks, Recreation, Leisure, Fitness, and Kinesiology (Master's)
$76,015 · 5 yrs out
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Associate)
$73,402 · 5 yrs out
Engineering/Engineering-Related Technologies/Technicians (Associate)
$72,436 · 5 yrs out
Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting and Related Protective Services (Associate)
$72,156 · 5 yrs out
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions (Associate)
$70,722 · 5 yrs out
Health and Medical Administrative Services (Bachelor's)
$68,626 · 5 yrs out
Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs (Master's)
$66,251 · 5 yrs out
Health Professions and Related Programs (Master's)
$65,854 · 5 yrs out
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies (Bachelor's)
$65,307 · 5 yrs out
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other (Bachelor's)
$64,930 · 5 yrs out
Health Professions and Related Programs (Associate)
$63,618 · 5 yrs out

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