Best colleges for Fire Protection in North Carolina
Ranked by graduate earnings
Sandhills Community College, Fayetteville State University and Rowan-Cabarrus Community College award the most Fire Protection degrees and certificates in North Carolina: 31, 27 and 25 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 19 North Carolina colleges offer Fire Protection and award 277 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 2 institutions, 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 | Fayetteville State University Fayetteville Public · Bachelor's degree | $67,586 | 27 | 38% | — | $15,777 |
| 2 | Methodist University Fayetteville Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree Small program | $30,637 | 8 | 44% | $24,551 | $27,000 |
Colleges awarding the most Fire Protection degrees in North Carolina
Top 10 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 | Sandhills Community College Pinehurst Public | 31 | Not reported |
| 2 | Fayetteville State University Fayetteville Public | 27 | $67,586 |
| 3 | Rowan-Cabarrus Community College Salisbury Public | 25 | Not reported |
| 4 | Coastal Carolina Community College Jacksonville Public | 21 | Not reported |
| 5 | Alamance Community College Graham Public | 18 | Not reported |
| 6 | Cleveland Community College Shelby Public | 17 | Not reported |
| 7 | Catawba Valley Community College Hickory Public | 15 | Not reported |
| 8 | Guilford Technical Community College Jamestown Public | 14 | Not reported |
| 9 | Johnston Community College Smithfield Public | 13 | Not reported |
| 10 | Randolph Community College Asheboro Public | 12 | Not reported |
ShowHide the other 9 North Carolina colleges offering Fire Protection
| Institution | City | Control | Graduates / yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fayetteville Technical Community College | Fayetteville | Public | 33 |
| Gaston College | Dallas | Public | 10 |
| Mitchell Community College | Statesville | Public | 9 |
| Methodist University | Fayetteville | Private not-for-profit | 8 |
| Cape Fear Community College | Wilmington | Public | 6 |
| Central Piedmont Community College | Charlotte | Public | 6 |
| Davidson-Davie Community College | Thomasville | Public | 6 |
| Nash Community College | Rocky Mount | Public | 4 |
| Blue Ridge Community College | Flat Rock | Public | 2 |
Career outlook
What this program leads to: Fire Inspectors and Investigators (SOC 33-2021).
Top skills
What Fire Inspectors and Investigators earn in North Carolina
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing Fire Protection programs in North Carolina.
Which North Carolina colleges award the most Fire Protection degrees?+
Sandhills Community College (31 graduates a year), Fayetteville State University (27 graduates a year) and Rowan-Cabarrus Community College (25 graduates a year) award the most Fire Protection degrees and certificates in North Carolina, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 19 North Carolina colleges offer Fire Protection.
Which Fire Protection program in North Carolina has the highest-earning graduates?+
By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, Fayetteville State University tops the list at $67,586. Compare it against graduates a year, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.
How much do Fire Inspectors and Investigators earn in North Carolina?+
The average annual wage for Fire Inspectors and Investigators in North Carolina is $65,570 (median $66,820), across about 870 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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