Fire Protection at College of DuPage

Glen Ellyn, IL · Public · Associate Degree

with a mid-sized student body of 15,185 in Glen Ellyn, IL.

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $58,160 at College of DuPage come in 14% above the national median of $51,103 for Fire Protection programs.

With a 70.4x return on tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 0% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Fire Protection career paths face changes, but the trade's physical demands provide a buffer.

A #24 ranking among 37 Fire Protection programs places College of DuPage in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

The 16 apprenticeship pathways connected to Fire Protection reflect strong industry infrastructure for this trade. Apprenticeships typically lead to journeyman-level wages.

73 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
70
Low End
73
Score
74
High End
Earnings $58,160/yr (14% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (66% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (150,900 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$608K
1.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
70.4x
10-year earnings ÷ tuition
Viable Career Paths
6 of 6
Occupations with strong AI resilience

Projected 10-Year Earnings

Based on actual graduate salary data and Bureau of Labor Statistics growth projections.

Program Tuition (In-State)
$8,640
Out-of-state: $25,020

Top Career Paths

Top career paths for Fire Protection graduates by median salary.

Career Path Median Salary Growth AI-ProofAI
Managers, all other $136,550 +4.5% 53%
First-line supervisors of firefighting and prevention workers $92,430 +3.4% 58%
Fire inspectors and investigators $78,060 +3.8% 71%
Managers, all other
$136,550
+4.5% growth 53% AI-proof
First-line supervisors of firefighting and prevention workers
$92,430
+3.4% growth 58% AI-proof
Fire inspectors and investigators
$78,060
+3.8% growth 71% AI-proof

View all 6 career paths with full salary data →

Fire Protection Career Guide

Fire Protection opens doors to multiple career tracks. Our pillar guide covers every mapped occupation with salary data and AI resilience ratings.

Read the full Fire Protection career guide →

Compare & Explore

Fire Protection Overview

Fire Protection at Other Schools

Other Majors at College of DuPage

Explore the Degree Alternative

Not sure if a trade program or four-year degree fits better? Compare both paths.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the TradeSchoolOutlook Score for Fire Protection at College of DuPage?
A score of 73/100 reflects decent absolute metrics, but College of DuPage trails the majority of Fire Protection programs on relative rankings. Context matters more than the raw number.
Can I learn Fire Protection through an apprenticeship instead of College of DuPage?
Beyond College of DuPage's classroom route, 16 registered apprenticeships map to Fire Protection careers — including Arson And Bomb Investigator. Apprenticeships trade shorter program length for longer on-the-job training, typically 2-4 years.
How many job openings are there for Fire Protection graduates?
At 150,900 annual openings, Fire Protection has a very large employment base. College of DuPage graduates benefit from broad demand, particularly given public safety staffing needs and retirement-driven turnover.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →