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undergraduate

Fire protection and prevention


What is a fire protection and prevention major?

Fire protection students apply fire science and technology to problems of reducing fire risk, limiting loss, supervising substance removal, conducting safety inspections and investigations, and advising on matters of safety procedures and fire prevention policy. Coursework includes instruction in fire behavior, fire simulation, structural risk assessment, materials analysis, detection and suppression systems, smoke management, supply and evacuation, public education, legal aspects of fire prevention, and related research and communications methods.

19%

of students said they were motivated to select this major because it's financially rewarding.

How much do fire protection and prevention majors make?

median average salary

$60,000/yr

The national average salary for fire protection and prevention graduates in the United States is $60,000 per year. Those in the top 10 percent make over $130,000 a year, while the bottom 10 percent make under $25,000 a year. While salary ranges can vary by role, industry, and location, fire protection and prevention graduates typically make between $40,000 and $92,000 per year.

How popular is fire protection and prevention as a major?

Each year, around 1,150 students obtain a bachelor’s degree and around 2,060 students obtain an associate degree in fire protection and prevention. In 2021, 1,194 students received a bachelor's degree and 2,033 students received an associate degree. This is relatively the same number of fire protection and prevention majors as there were in 2020. Fire protection and prevention is one of the most popular majors within protective services.

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