Fire Protection at Fayetteville State University

Fayetteville, NC · Public · Bachelor's Degree
73 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
73
Optimistic
73
Base Case
66
Pessimistic
Earnings $67,586/yr (-1% vs median)
AI Risk Moderate (34% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (150,900 openings/yr)
ROI 38.2x earnings multiple (19.0x out-of-state)
Ranked #3 of 20 Fire Protection programs Top 25%

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Fire Protection graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption
Base Case
Gradual AI
Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $612K $607K $551K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 38.6x 38.2x 34.7x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 19.2x 19.0x 17.3x
Probability of Field Employment 34% 32% 26%
DegreeOutlook Score 73 73 66

10-Year Earnings Projection

*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$15,876
Out-of-state: $31,876 (19.0x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$29,440
-85% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$13,836
2.5 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$81,600
21% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $67,586/yr, Fire Protection graduates from Fayetteville State University land near the $68,084 national average — neither a standout nor a red flag.

With a 38.2x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 10% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Fire Protection career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.

The median debt load of $13,836 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios we track.

Fayetteville State University ranks #3 among 20 Fire Protection programs, placing it in the top 5% nationally by our financial outcomes measure.

A 21% earnings increase from $67,586 to $81,600 over five years is solid — not a moonshot, but evidence of normal career advancement.

About Fayetteville State University

With 80% of applicants admitted, Fayetteville State University prioritizes broad access, enrolling 5,493 students in Fayetteville, NC. With 53% of students on Pell Grants, the campus draws from a broad economic spectrum.

See all programs and financial aid at Fayetteville State University →

Top Career Paths

Managers, all other $136,550/yr
First-line supervisors of firefighting and prevention workers $92,430/yr
Fire inspectors and investigators $78,060/yr
View all 6 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Fire Protection at Other Schools

Other Majors at Fayetteville State University

Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?

For students who prefer applied learning, trade programs can deliver strong earnings with significantly less debt and shorter time to employment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 73/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Fire Protection at Fayetteville State University?
At 73/100, this is a high-performing program. The DegreeOutlook Score combines earnings, AI resilience, and ROI — and this program delivers on all three.
Is Fayetteville State University one of the best schools for Fire Protection?
Among 20 Fire Protection programs, Fayetteville State University's #3 position reflects consistently above-average results across earnings, ROI, and employment probability.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →