Fire Protection at University of Idaho

Based on comparable fire protection programs nationally, University of Idaho graduates can expect first-year earnings around $67,000—a solid starting point that suggests reasonable job market demand for bachelor's-level fire protection professionals. The estimated debt load of $22,700 translates to a manageable 0.34 debt-to-earnings ratio, meaning graduates would owe roughly four months of their first year's salary. This falls well below the concerning 1.0 threshold where debt equals a full year's income.

The challenge here is uncertainty. Idaho has only four bachelor's programs in fire protection, and none report sufficient graduate data for public comparison. You're essentially betting that Idaho's program will produce outcomes similar to the national median, but you won't know until your child is already enrolled. The program's small cohort size—evidenced by the suppressed data—could mean more personalized attention or simply limited track record.

For a field where many professionals enter through associate degrees or direct hiring, the value of this bachelor's credential depends heavily on career goals. If your child is targeting fire marshal positions, fire investigation, or administration roles that specifically require four-year degrees, the estimated numbers look reasonable. But verify what the actual career placement looks like for Idaho graduates before committing to this path over more established programs elsewhere.