Fire Protection at Bowling Green State University-Main Campus

A debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.34 suggests manageable financial positioning for this bachelor's program, though the figures come from national peer programs rather than Bowling Green's actual graduate outcomes. Fire protection graduates from comparable programs nationwide typically earn around $67,000 in their first year—a solid starting point for a specialized safety field that values credentials and technical expertise.

The gap between national benchmarks and Ohio's reality deserves attention. The University of Akron, the only in-state program with reported data, shows first-year earnings of $49,582—nearly $17,500 below the national median. This suggests Ohio's fire protection market may offer different opportunities than the national average, possibly due to regional salary scales or the types of employers hiring in the state. If your child plans to work in Ohio after graduation, the local earnings picture matters more than national figures.

The estimated $22,723 debt load represents roughly four to five months of projected first-year earnings based on national benchmarks, which is reasonable for a bachelor's degree. However, without knowing whether Bowling Green's program actually produces outcomes closer to national patterns or Ohio's lower median, you're making this investment with limited visibility. Consider reaching out to the program directly to ask about graduate placement rates and typical employer partnerships—this may reveal whether their graduates stay in Ohio or find opportunities in higher-paying markets elsewhere.