Fire Protection at New Jersey City University

New Jersey City University's fire protection program carries a crucial caveat: with fewer than 30 graduates tracked, these numbers could shift dramatically with a larger sample. That said, the data reveals an interesting tension. While graduates earn below the $67,102 national median—landing in just the 27th percentile nationally—they're actually performing at the 60th percentile within New Jersey, suggesting the state's fire protection field may simply pay less than other regions.

The $26,000 debt load is manageable, translating to a 0.48 debt-to-earnings ratio that keeps monthly payments reasonable on a $54,600 starting salary. Earnings tick up modestly to $56,675 by year four, which isn't dramatic growth but represents stability in a field where many graduates likely enter municipal fire departments with structured pay scales. The school's 89% admission rate and high Pell grant percentage (52%) indicate it serves many first-generation and working-class students who might otherwise struggle to access this career path.

For parents, the key question is geography: if your child plans to work in New Jersey's fire protection sector, this program appears reasonably aligned with local realities. The debt is moderate and the outcomes match state norms. Just remember these figures could look quite different if tracked across more graduates, and students attracted to higher-paying fire protection markets would likely find better earnings prospects elsewhere.