Analysis
American Public University System's online Fire Protection bachelor's actually delivers above-average outcomes with manageable debt, though you should know these numbers come from a small graduating class. With median earnings just above $73,000 and debt under $20,000, graduates face a debt-to-earnings ratio of just 0.27—meaning they owe about three months' salary. That's substantially better than many bachelor's programs and should be relatively easy to manage on a fire protection professional's salary.
The program ranks in the 59th percentile nationally for earnings, outperforming most competitors while charging less than the typical program in this field. This online format likely appeals to working firefighters looking to advance their careers, which might explain why earnings stay flat rather than growing over the first four years—these students may already be employed in the field before graduation.
The caveat matters here: with fewer than 30 graduates in the data, one or two outliers could shift these numbers significantly. But the fundamentals look solid—reasonable debt, above-average pay, and a program structure that seems designed for career advancement rather than career entry. For a student already working in fire services or committed to this career path, the risk-reward balance appears favorable.
Where American Public University System Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all fire protection bachelors's programs nationally
Earnings Distribution
How American Public University System graduates compare to all programs nationally
Earnings Over Time
How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation
| School | 1 Year | 4 Years | Growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| American Public University System | $73,302 | $72,886 | -1% |
| Anna Maria College | $81,637 | $100,072 | +23% |
| Eastern Oregon University | $58,911 | $94,819 | +61% |
| Oklahoma State University-Main Campus | $75,503 | $89,490 | +19% |
| Waldorf University | $97,731 | $83,416 | -15% |
Compare to Similar Programs Nationally
Fire Protection bachelors's programs at top institutions nationally
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr) | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 American Public University SystemCharles Town | $8,400 | $73,302 | $72,886 | $19,434 | 0.27 |
 Southern Illinois University-CarbondaleCarbondale | $13,244 | $104,017 | — | $17,725 | 0.17 |
 Waldorf UniversityForest City | $25,220 | $97,731 | $83,416 | $21,783 | 0.22 |
 Purdue University GlobalWest Lafayette | $10,110 | $89,622 | $78,630 | $29,636 | 0.33 |
 University of FloridaGainesville | $6,381 | $86,740 | — | $12,296 | 0.14 |
 University of Florida-OnlineGainesville | $3,876 | $86,740 | — | $12,296 | 0.14 |
| National Median | — | $67,102 | — | $22,723 | 0.34 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with fire protection graduates
Fire Inspectors and Investigators
Forest Fire Inspectors and Prevention Specialists
Career/Technical Education Teachers, Postsecondary
Firefighters
Managers, All Other
Regulatory Affairs Managers
Compliance Managers
Loss Prevention Managers
First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers
About This Data
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)
Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At American Public University System, approximately 25% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.
Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.
Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.
Sample Size: Based on 25 graduates with reported earnings and 31 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.