Fire Protectionat Western Illinois University
Graduates earn $41,432/yr in their first year — about 39.0% below the national Fire Protection average. Base-case 10-year earnings $487K; scenarios range from $455K to $487K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at Western Illinois University
The financial outcomes for this Fire Protection program suggest a challenging path that requires careful navigation. Located in rural Macomb, WIU’s graduates may face a regional job market with fewer opportunities for well-compensated roles in larger municipal departments. While a degree offers theoretical knowledge in prevention and management, many fire departments prioritize candidates with specific local academy training, certifications, and proven operational experience for entry-level positions and progression into leadership. This means your degree might be a valuable *supplement* to, rather than a direct *replacement* for, the hands-on practical training and civil service exams crucial for the highest-paying roles. To maximize your prospects, you must research the specific hiring pipelines of departments in your target regions, actively pursuing certifications, internships, and understanding that real-world experience often precedes the management and inspection roles this degree can support.
Three scenarios, ten years out
Each scenario is a different assumption about how AI reshapes the career paths this major feeds into. Earnings projections stack the full 10-year cumulative trajectory; scores use the same 0–100 metric as the hero, recomputed under that scenario's assumptions.
10 year projection
Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to Western Illinois University's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.
Common career destinations for this program's graduates, weighted by the school's specific occupation mix. Salary is BLS national median; AI risk is per-role task-exposure research.
Peer schools offering Fire Protection
How Western Illinois University stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at Western Illinois University
Other highest-scoring programs offered at Western Illinois University, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.
Consider the trade route
Not sure a 4-year degree is the right path? Trade programs in Fire Protection offer shorter timelines, lower debt, and strong AI resilience for hands-on careers.
Compare Fire Protection trade programs on TradeSchoolOutlook →Frequently asked about Fire Protection at Western Illinois University
How does Western Illinois University's Fire Protection program score?
This program scores 44/100 — on the lower end for Fire Protection. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
Why are Fire Protection earnings lower at Western Illinois University?
Lower starting pay at Western Illinois University may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.