Best colleges for Fire Protection in Iowa
Ranked by graduate earnings
Kirkwood Community College, Western Iowa Tech Community College and Des Moines Area Community College award the most Fire Protection degrees and certificates in Iowa: 48, 37 and 11 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 6 Iowa colleges offer Fire Protection and award 152 degrees and certificates a year in all.
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…
Top institution, ranked by graduate earnings
Ranked by median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard. Programs with fewer than 20 graduates a year, a graduation rate under 30%, or online, degree-completion or graduate-only status rank after the rest.
| # | Institution | Starting salary (1 yr) | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Waldorf University Forest City Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $97,731 | 47 | 21% | $22,328 | $21,783 |
Colleges awarding the most Fire Protection degrees in Iowa
Top 5 by graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25 completions). Online, degree-completion and graduate-only schools, and schools with a graduation rate under 30% are listed in full below.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Starting salary (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kirkwood Community College Cedar Rapids Public | 48 | Not reported |
| 2 | Western Iowa Tech Community College Sioux City Public | 37 | Not reported |
| 3 | Des Moines Area Community College Ankeny Public | 11 | Not reported |
| 4 | Iowa Central Community College Fort Dodge Public | 6 | Not reported |
| 5 | Iowa Western Community College Council Bluffs Public | 3 | Not reported |
ShowHide the other 1 Iowa colleges offering Fire Protection
| Institution | City | Control | Graduates / yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| Waldorf University | Forest City | Private not-for-profit | 47 |
Career outlook
What this program leads to: Fire Inspectors and Investigators (SOC 33-2021).
Top skills
What Fire Inspectors and Investigators earn in Iowa
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing Fire Protection programs in Iowa.
Which Iowa colleges award the most Fire Protection degrees?+
Kirkwood Community College (48 graduates a year), Western Iowa Tech Community College (37 graduates a year) and Des Moines Area Community College (11 graduates a year) award the most Fire Protection degrees and certificates in Iowa, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 6 Iowa colleges offer Fire Protection.
How much do Fire Inspectors and Investigators earn in Iowa?+
The average annual wage for Fire Inspectors and Investigators in Iowa is $78,410 (median $81,860), across about 30 jobs. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025.
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).
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
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