Fire Protection at Waldorf University

Forest City, IA · Private for-profit · Bachelor's Degree
68 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
68
Optimistic
68
Base Case
64
Pessimistic
Earnings $97,731/yr (44% vs median)
AI Risk Moderate (34% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (150,900 openings/yr)
ROI 6.5x earnings multiple
Ranked #7 of 20 Fire Protection programs Top 50%

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 $668K $660K $594K
Earnings Multiple 6.6x 6.5x 5.9x
Probability of Field Employment 34% 32% 26%
DegreeOutlook Score 68 68 64

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$100,880
Median Debt at Graduation
$18,750
2.3 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$100,301
3% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $97,731 per year, Fire Protection graduates from Waldorf University significantly outpace the $68,084 national average for this major, reflecting strong employer demand for this program's graduates.

A 6.5x earnings multiple over ten years puts this program in solid financial territory. Tuition is well-justified by projected earnings.

The 11% 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 $18,750 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios we track.

A #7 ranking among 20 Fire Protection programs places Waldorf University in the middle-to-upper range. Solid, not exceptional.

The limited growth from $97,731 to $100,301 over five years suggests earnings in this field plateau relatively early in one's career.

About Waldorf University

With 73% of applicants admitted, Waldorf University prioritizes broad access, a compact campus enrolling 2,103 students in Forest City, IA.

See all programs and financial aid at Waldorf 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 Waldorf 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 68/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Fire Protection at Waldorf University?
At 68/100, Waldorf University's Fire Protection program delivers middling returns. School cost and personal fit become important decision factors.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →