Best institutions to study Fire/Arson Investigation and Prevention
A program focusing on the theory and principles of fire combustion and behavior applied to the analysis of fires and their causes.
5 U.S. institutions graduated 47 Fire/Arson Investigation and Prevention students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 43.0205, a specialization of Fire Protection (CIP 43.02), and leads most directly to the Fire Inspectors and Investigators occupation (BLS SOC 33-2021).
About Fire/Arson Investigation and Prevention programs
A program focusing on the theory and principles of fire combustion and behavior applied to the analysis of fires and their causes. Includes instruction in fire behavior and combustion, fire dynamics, hazardous materials chemistry, incendiary fire analysis, fire-related human behavior, forensic procedures, investigative techniques, case management and case preparation.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Fire/Arson Investigation and Prevention program, a part of the Fire Protection field, focuses on the principles of fire behavior and combustion to analyze fires and their causes. This program is designed for individuals interested in pursuing careers in fire investigation, prevention, and related protective services.
Students will gain knowledge in fire dynamics, hazardous materials chemistry, forensic procedures, and investigative techniques. Core skills developed include critical thinking, active listening, and effective communication, which are essential for analyzing evidence and conducting thorough investigations.
Credentials awarded
What Fire/Arson Investigation and Prevention graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Bachelor's degree29 graduates / yr · 2 institutions62%
- Associate's degree9 graduates / yr · 1 institution19%
- Master's degree5 graduates / yr · 1 institution11%
- Award of less than 12 weeks4 graduates / yr · 1 institution8.5%
Graduates over time
Fire/Arson Investigation and Prevention completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 8 |
| 2013 | 10 |
| 2014 | 21 |
| 2015 | 17 |
| 2016 | 38 |
| 2017 | 55 |
| 2018 | 55 |
| 2019 | 56 |
| 2020 | 70 |
| 2021 | 42 |
| 2022 | 55 |
| 2023 | 64 |
| 2024 | 65 |
| 2025 | 47 |
Top 5 institutions for Fire/Arson Investigation and Prevention, ranked by graduates
Graduates (IPEDS completions), 2024–25. Award levels show which credentials each institution confers in this specialization.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Field earnings* (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Eastern Kentucky University Richmond, KYPublicBachelor's | 21 | 50% | — | $66,617 |
| 2 | Suffolk County Community College Selden, NYPublicAssociate's | 9 | 29% | — | — |
| 3 | Methodist University Fayetteville, NCPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 8 | 44% | $24,551 | $30,637 |
| 4 | University of New Haven West Haven, CTPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 5 | 63% | $32,614 | $57,392 |
| 5 | Auburn Career Center Concord Twp, OHPublicAward of less than 12 weeks | 4 | 69% | — | — |
* Median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Fire Protection field (CIP 43.02) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 5 states
Where Fire/Arson Investigation and Prevention graduates come from. Each state links to all Fire Protection programs offered there.
| State | Institutions | Graduates / yr | Top institution by graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kentucky | 1 | 21 | Eastern Kentucky University21 / yr |
| New York | 1 | 9 | Suffolk County Community College9 / yr |
| North Carolina | 1 | 8 | Methodist University8 / yr |
| Connecticut | 1 | 5 | University of New Haven5 / yr |
| Ohio | 1 | 4 | Auburn Career Center4 / yr |
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 33-2021, Fire Inspectors and Investigators, and its national outlook.
Graduates of this program can pursue careers as Fire Inspectors and Investigators, with an average annual wage of $78,060. The job outlook for this field is about as fast as average, with an expected growth rate of 3.8% and approximately 1,500 annual openings.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 43.0205
The occupations the NCES crosswalk maps this 6-digit code to, with BLS pay and 10-year outlook.
| Occupation | US median pay | Growth | Openings / yr | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Fire Inspectors and Investigatorsprimary SOC 33-2021 | $75,920 | +3.8% About as fast as average | ~1,500 | Postsecondary nondegree award |
First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers SOC 33-1021 | $93,530 | +3.4% About as fast as average | ~6,500 | Postsecondary nondegree award |
Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed
- Education
- Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
- Experience
- Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
Related careers
Skills & knowledge in Fire/Arson Investigation and Prevention programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this specialization most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
Abilities that matter most
Day-to-day work activities
What graduates do on the job
- Prepare and maintain reports of investigation results, and records of convicted arsonists and arson suspects.
- Testify in court cases involving fires, suspected arson, and false alarms.
- Package collected pieces of evidence in securely closed containers, such as bags, crates, or boxes, to protect them.
- Conduct inspections and acceptance testing of newly installed fire protection systems.
- Analyze evidence and other information to determine probable cause of fire or explosion.
- Photograph damage and evidence related to causes of fires or explosions to document investigation findings.
Tools and technology used
Other Fire Protection specializations
The 6 other 6-digit CIP codes under Fire Protection (CIP 43.02).
- Fire Science/CIP 43.0203
Fire-fighting 10,359 graduates / yr275 institutions - Fire Prevention and Safety Technology/CIP 43.0201
Technician 3,558 graduates / yr140 institutions - Fire Services AdministrationCIP 43.02022,008 graduates / yr46 institutions
- Wildland/CIP 43.0206
Forest Firefighting and Investigation 174 graduates / yr17 institutions - Fire Systems TechnologyCIP 43.0204partial data59 graduates / yr5 institutions
- Fire ProtectionCIP 43.0299partial data54 graduates / yr7 institutions
Common questions
What degrees are offered in this program?+
This program offers Bachelor's, Associate's, and Master's degrees, as well as awards of less than 12 weeks.
What skills will I develop?+
You will develop skills in critical thinking, active listening, writing, and investigative techniques.
What careers can I pursue after graduation?+
You can work as a Fire Inspector or Investigator, among other roles in fire protection.
What is the job outlook for this field?+
The job outlook is about as fast as average, with a growth rate of 3.8% and 1,500 annual openings.
What is the CIP code for Fire/Arson Investigation and Prevention?+
Fire/Arson Investigation and Prevention is CIP 43.0205 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Fire Protection (CIP 43.02). NCES defines it as: A program focusing on the theory and principles of fire combustion and behavior applied to the analysis of fires and their causes. Includes instruction in fire behavior and combustion, fire dynamics, hazardous materials chemistry, incendiary fire analysis, fire-related human behavior, forensic procedures, investigative techniques, case management and case preparation.
How many institutions offer Fire/Arson Investigation and Prevention programs?+
5 U.S. institutions reported Fire/Arson Investigation and Prevention graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 5 states, awarding 47 credentials in the year. That is 0.3% of all Fire Protection graduates.
How much do Fire/Arson Investigation and Prevention graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Fire Inspectors and Investigators occupation, which Fire/Arson Investigation and Prevention most directly leads to, pays a median of $75,920 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Fire Protection field report median earnings of $57,392 one year after graduation (College Scorecard).
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.
Program definitions are from the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020). Skills, knowledge, abilities, work activities, tools, and job zones are from the O*NET database by the U.S. Department of Labor, used under the CC BY 4.0 license.
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