Fire Protection (Associate's Degree) at Idaho State University

Est. Earnings (1yr)

$56,004

Est. from national median (12 programs)

Est. Median Debt

$10,370

Est. from national median (9 programs)

Analysis

A debt load around $10,000 for a credential that positions graduates for mid-$50,000 first-year earnings—based on what similar fire protection associate programs produce nationally—represents a reasonable trade-off. The 0.19 debt-to-earnings ratio suggests manageable monthly payments, though it's worth remembering these figures come from peer programs rather than Idaho State's specific track record.

Fire protection is a field where credentials matter for hiring, and an associate degree often meets the minimum requirements for many municipal and industrial positions. The estimated earnings align with what national fire protection programs typically report, though top-performing programs elsewhere reach the mid-$70,000s in first-year earnings. Idaho State's location in a smaller metropolitan area may influence the local job market compared to programs near major fire departments.

The fundamental question is whether your child has a clear path to employment in this field. Fire protection hiring can be competitive and geographically limited, so proximity to departments actively hiring matters more than the modest debt load. If they're committed to the field and willing to relocate for opportunities, the financial structure works—just recognize you're betting on outcomes similar to what other programs achieve, not proven results from this specific program.

Where Idaho State University Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all fire protection associates's programs nationally

Compare to Similar Programs Nationally

Fire Protection associates's programs at top institutions nationally

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School	In-State Tuition	Earnings (1yr)*	Earnings (4yr)	Median Debt*	Debt/Earnings
Idaho State UniversityPocatello	$8,356	$56,004*	—	$10,370*	—
Cincinnati State Technical and Community CollegeCincinnati	$5,400	$91,944*	—	$6,125*	0.07
North Shore Community CollegeDanvers	$5,352	$90,948*	$110,475	$10,192*	0.11
Waldorf UniversityForest City	$25,220	$76,032*	$71,661	$12,609*	0.17
Columbia Southern UniversityOrange Beach	$5,808	$75,326*	$68,139	$10,500*	0.14
Purdue University GlobalWest Lafayette	$10,110	$70,749*	$75,553	$21,244*	0.30
National Median	—	$56,004*	—	$11,250*	0.20

* Estimated from similar programs

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with fire protection graduates

Fire Inspectors and Investigators

Inspect buildings to detect fire hazards and enforce local ordinances and state laws, or investigate and gather facts to determine cause of fires and explosions.

$75,480/yrJobs growth:

Forest Fire Inspectors and Prevention Specialists

Enforce fire regulations, inspect forest for fire hazards, and recommend forest fire prevention or control measures. May report forest fires and weather conditions.

$75,480/yrJobs growth:

Career/Technical Education Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach vocational courses intended to provide occupational training below the baccalaureate level in subjects such as construction, mechanics/repair, manufacturing, transportation, or cosmetology, primarily to students who have graduated from or left high school. Teaching takes place in public or private schools whose primary business is academic or vocational education.

$62,910/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Firefighters

Control and extinguish fires or respond to emergency situations where life, property, or the environment is at risk. Duties may include fire prevention, emergency medical service, hazardous material response, search and rescue, and disaster assistance.

$59,530/yrJobs growth:Postsecondary nondegree award

Managers, All Other

All managers not listed separately.

Regulatory Affairs Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate production activities of an organization to ensure compliance with regulations and standard operating procedures.

Compliance Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate activities of an organization to ensure compliance with ethical or regulatory standards.

Loss Prevention Managers

Plan and direct policies, procedures, or systems to prevent the loss of assets. Determine risk exposure or potential liability, and develop risk control measures.

First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers

Directly supervise and coordinate activities of workers engaged in firefighting and fire prevention and control.

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 Idaho State University, approximately 27% 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 12 similar programs. Actual outcomes may vary.