Fire Protection at Vincennes University

Vincennes, IN · Public · Associate Degree

a compact campus enrolling 3,739 students in Vincennes, IN.

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $38,326 place Vincennes University below the $51,103 national median for Fire Protection — worth weighing against tuition and cost of living.

Every dollar of tuition returns an estimated 34.5x 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 17% gap from the optimistic case.

With first-year pay of $38,326 far exceeding the $12,000 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

Ranked #35 of 37 Fire Protection programs, Vincennes University falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Earnings grow from $38,326 to $46,614 over five years — a 22% increase that's moderate and in line with typical trade career progression.

Fire Protection offers 16 registered apprenticeship pathways — an unusually broad set of earn-while-you-learn alternatives to the classroom track.

58 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
54
Low End
58
Score
59
High End
Earnings $38,326/yr (-25% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (66% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (150,900 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$482K
5.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
35.0x
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)
$13,772
Out-of-state: $32,578
Median Debt at Graduation
$12,000
3.8 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$46,614
22% growth from Year 1

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

What can you do with a Fire Protection credential from Vincennes University? Our career guide maps every occupation path with earnings and growth data.

Read the full Fire Protection career guide →

Compare & Explore

Fire Protection Overview

Fire Protection at Other Schools

Other Majors at Vincennes University

Explore the Degree Alternative

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 58/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Fire Protection at Vincennes University?
At 58/100, the score looks reasonable — but Fire Protection is a high-scoring trade overall. Compared to peers, this program's earnings and ROI fall below the median.
Is Vincennes University a good choice for Fire Protection despite lower starting pay?
Starting salary is one data point. If Vincennes University's tuition is significantly below average, the ROI calculation can still work — lower earnings paired with lower costs can be a reasonable trade.
Can I learn Fire Protection through an apprenticeship instead of Vincennes University?
Beyond Vincennes University'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.
Is there demand for Fire Protection workers?
With approximately 150,900 annual openings across mapped careers, Fire Protection offers a very large employment pool. Vincennes University graduates enter a market shaped by public safety staffing needs and retirement-driven turnover.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →