Fire Protection at Southwestern Illinois College
with a mid-sized student body of 5,280 in Belleville, IL.
Program Analysis
Southwestern Illinois College Fire Protection graduates command $77,935/yr out of the gate, well above the $51,103 national median. That 53% premium suggests the program's industry reputation carries real labor-market weight.
Every dollar of tuition returns an estimated 210.7x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Fire Protection programs nationally.
Some AI exposure exists in Fire Protection's career paths, with 34% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 0% gap from the optimistic case.
At #1 of 37 nationally, this is a top-5% Fire Protection program. Financial outcomes consistently outperform the vast majority of peers.
Fire Protection offers 16 registered apprenticeship pathways — an unusually broad set of earn-while-you-learn alternatives to the classroom track.
Earnings Overview
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% |
Fire Protection Career Guide
Explore what Fire Protection graduates do, from entry-level roles to long-term career paths across 37 programs nationwide.
Compare & Explore
Fire Protection Overview
Fire Protection at Other Schools
Other Majors at Southwestern Illinois College
Trade Certificate vs. Bachelor's Degree
Weigh shorter time-to-career against higher earning ceilings. The numbers tell the story.