Fire Protection at Western Illinois University

Western Illinois University's fire protection graduates earn $41,432 in their first year—barely 60% of what Illinois' median fire protection graduate makes ($72,724) and less than two-thirds of the national median. In a state with only three programs offering this degree, WIU ranks dead last, placing in just the 10th percentile statewide. Southern Illinois University-Carbondale's fire protection graduates, by comparison, earn $104,017—more than double what WIU graduates make. This isn't a minor performance gap; it's a fundamental question about program quality and career placement.

The $22,723 in debt isn't catastrophic on its own, but paired with bottom-tier earnings, it creates a debt-to-income ratio of 0.55 that will feel heavier than the numbers suggest. When your child is earning $41,000 while their counterparts from other Illinois programs are clearing $70,000-plus, those loan payments will strain their budget significantly more. The moderate sample size suggests this isn't a fluke—it reflects consistent outcomes.

If your child is serious about fire protection, the data strongly suggests looking at Illinois' other options first. WIU may work as a fallback if geographic constraints or other factors make alternative programs impractical, but understand you're accepting substantially lower earnings potential compared to what this degree typically delivers in Illinois and nationwide.