Illinois · Fire Protection

Best Fire Protection institutions in Illinois, ranked by earnings

The Fire Protection program focuses on equipping students with the knowledge and skills needed in the field of homeland security, law enforcement, and firefighting. This program is ideal for individuals interested in preventing and…

Institutions
22
offering CIP 43.02
States offered
9
with a program page
Degrees / yr
583
IPEDS completions 2026
Median grad earnings
$58,160
1 year after graduation
With earnings data
4
College Scorecard
Median net price
IPEDS 2026
Avg graduation rate
38%
IPEDS 2026
State pay · Fire Inspectors and Investigators
$76,950
BLS OEWS 2024

Top 4 institutions, ranked by graduate earnings

Earnings = median 1 year after graduation (College Scorecard).

#InstitutionGrad earnings (1 yr)CompletionsGrad rateNet priceMedian debt
1Southern Illinois University - Carbondale
Carbondale Public · Bachelor's degree
$104,0175262%$17,725
2Southwestern Illinois College
Belleville Public · Certificate degree
$77,9356736%$12,750
3College of DuPage
Glen Ellyn Public · Associate degree
$58,1601625%
4Western Illinois University
Macomb Public · Bachelor's degree
$41,4321445%$22,723

Career outlook

What this program leads to: Fire Inspectors and Investigators (SOC 33-2021).

Projected growth (2024–2034)
+3.8%
About as fast as average
Openings / yr (US)
~1,500
BLS Employment Projections
US median wage
$78,060
typically Postsecondary nondegree award

Top skills

Active ListeningCritical ThinkingWritingSpeakingReading ComprehensionMonitoring

What Fire Inspectors and Investigators earn in Illinois

Jobs in Illinois
210
BLS OEWS May 2024
State average pay
$76,950
median $72,400
Best-paying metro
$75,150
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN

Related careers

Firefighters
$76,650 avg · 14,510 jobs
Career/Technical Education Teachers, Postsecondary
$67,070 avg · 4,590 jobs
First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers
$116,310 avg · 2,110 jobs
Fire Inspectors and Investigators
$76,950 avg · 210 jobs
Forest Fire Inspectors and Prevention Specialists

Common questions

Answers for students comparing Fire Protection programs in Illinois.

Which Fire Protection program in Illinois has the highest-earning graduates?+

By median earnings one year after graduation (College Scorecard), Southern Illinois University - Carbondale tops the list at $104,017. Compare it against completions, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.

How much do Fire Inspectors and Investigators earn in Illinois?+

The average annual wage for Fire Inspectors and Investigators in Illinois is $76,950 (median $72,400), across about 210 jobs. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2024.

What is the focus of the Fire Protection program?+

The Fire Protection program focuses on equipping students with the knowledge and skills needed in the field of homeland security, law enforcement, and firefighting. This program is ideal for individuals interested in preventing and…

What skills will I develop in this program?+

You will develop active listening, critical thinking, writing, speaking, and related professional skills.

What is the job outlook for Fire Inspectors and Investigators?+

The national job outlook is about +3.8% growth with around 1,500 annual openings (BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034).

What is the typical education requirement?+

A Postsecondary nondegree award is the typical entry-level education for this field (BLS).

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