Analysis
A Bachelor's in Fire Protection from College of Southern Nevada comes with an estimated debt load of $22,723 and projected first-year earnings around $67,102—based on national medians for similar programs. That 0.34 debt-to-earnings ratio suggests manageable repayment: graduates could theoretically pay off loans within a year of income if dedicating roughly a third of gross earnings. For a public safety career field with clear credentialing requirements, these numbers tell a reasonably practical story.
The challenge is that these are national averages, not actual outcomes from CSN's program specifically. Nevada's unique public safety job market—driven heavily by Las Vegas's hospitality industry fire safety needs and rapid suburban growth—could produce different results. The state's cost of living and starting salaries for fire protection specialists may diverge from the national picture, either favorably or otherwise. With only one school in Nevada offering this bachelor's degree, there's no local peer data to sharpen the comparison.
For families considering this investment, the estimated figures point toward a workable financial equation, but verify what CSN graduates actually do after completion. Connect with the program directly about job placement rates, where alumni work, and whether Nevada employers value this credential over internal fire academy training. The numbers suggest viability; local employment realities will confirm it.
Where College of Southern Nevada Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all fire protection bachelors's programs nationally
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $4,110 | $67,102* | — | $22,723* | — | |
| $13,244 | $104,017* | — | $17,725* | 0.17 | |
| $25,220 | $97,731* | $83,416 | $21,783* | 0.22 | |
| $10,110 | $89,622* | $78,630 | $29,636* | 0.33 | |
| $6,381 | $86,740* | — | $12,296* | 0.14 | |
| $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 College of Southern Nevada, approximately 30% 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.
Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the national median of 20 similar programs. Actual outcomes may vary.