by our College Data Analytics Team
[Fire Protection](/majors/protective-security-safety-services/fire-protection/) programs reward a close look at where graduates go on to earn the most. A top-earning program sends graduates into careers with strong starting pay.
College Factual analyzed 3 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the highest-paying fire protection schools.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools send fire protection graduates into the highest-paying careers, see the list below.
Our analysis ranked Waldorf College the top school for fire protection graduate earnings in the The Plains States Region. Waldorf College is a private for-profit school located in the rural area of Forest City. After graduating, fire protection degree recipients from Waldorf College typically earn about $96,021 annually.
Strong graduate earnings at Metropolitan Community College Kansas City earned it the #2 place for fire protection. Metropolitan Community College Kansas City is a public school located in the city of Kansas City. Fire Protection graduates of Metropolitan Community College Kansas City earn a median of about $56,118 a year early in their careers.
A rank of #3 makes Hutchinson Community College one of the highest-paying schools for fire protection. Located in the town of Hutchinson, Hutchinson Community College is a public institution. After graduating, fire protection degree recipients from Hutchinson Community College typically earn about $56,793 annually.
This list is compiled by College Factual, 2026 edition. Schools are ranked on the median early-career earnings of their fire protection graduates, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard field-of-study earnings and IPEDS).
Ranking method: College Major Earnings · 3 schools evaluated.
*Salary figures reflect median early-career earnings (about 5 years after graduation) and may vary by how long a person takes to complete their degree.
More about our data sources and methodologies.