Location: Stillwater, OK•In-State Tuition: $10,234•Out-of-State Tuition: $25,754•Admission Rate: 71%•Avg SAT: 1145
Median Earnings (1yr)
$75,503
63rd percentile
Median Debt
$26,500
17% above national median
D/E Ratio: 0.35 ManageableSample: 50 graduates

Analysis

Oklahoma State's fire protection program delivers strong starting salaries at $75,503—well above the $67,102 national median for this field—with graduates carrying a manageable $26,500 in debt. That 0.35 debt-to-earnings ratio means graduates owe roughly four months of their first-year salary, which is notably lower than many technical programs. The earnings trajectory looks solid too, climbing nearly 20% to $89,490 by year four, suggesting this degree opens doors to progressively better positions in fire science, safety management, or related roles.

What makes this particularly attractive is the low debt burden relative to similar programs nationwide—it ranks in the 21st percentile, meaning 79% of fire protection programs leave students with more debt. You're getting above-average earnings with below-average borrowing, which is exactly the combination you want. The program ranks in the 60th percentile among Oklahoma programs and 63rd nationally, placing it firmly in the upper half for earning potential.

For students serious about fire protection careers, this program offers a clear path to solid middle-class earnings without the debt load that could complicate early-career decisions. Starting at $75K gives graduates breathing room to build their careers while comfortably managing loan payments.

Where Oklahoma State University-Main Campus Stands

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

Oklahoma State University-Main CampusOther fire protection programs

Dashed lines show national medians. Upper-left = best value.

Earnings Distribution

How Oklahoma State University-Main Campus graduates compare to all programs nationally

Oklahoma State University-Main Campus earns $76k — 63th percentile among fire protection bachelors programs.

Earnings Over Time

How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation

School1 Year4 YearsGrowth
Oklahoma State University-Main Campus$75,503$89,490+19%
Anna Maria College$81,637$100,072+23%
Eastern Oregon University$58,911$94,819+61%
Waldorf University$97,731$83,416-15%
Columbia Southern University$82,718$80,338-3%

Compare to Similar Programs Nationally

Fire Protection bachelors's programs at top institutions nationally

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SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)Earnings (4yr)Median DebtDebt/Earnings
Oklahoma State University-Main CampusStillwater$10,234$75,503$89,490$26,5000.35
Southern Illinois University-CarbondaleCarbondale$13,244$104,017—$17,7250.17
Waldorf UniversityForest City$25,220$97,731$83,416$21,7830.22
Purdue University GlobalWest Lafayette$10,110$89,622$78,630$29,6360.33
University of FloridaGainesville$6,381$86,740—$12,2960.14
University of Florida-OnlineGainesville$3,876$86,740—$12,2960.14
National Median—$67,102—$22,7230.34

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 Oklahoma State University-Main Campus, approximately 26% 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 50 graduates with reported earnings and 48 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.