by our College Data Analytics TeamA degree in Fire/Arson Investigation & Prevention involves the study of Fire/arson Investigation And Prevention. A Program Focusing On The Theory And Principles Of Fire Combustion And Behavior Applied To The Analysis Of Fires And Their Causes. Includes Instruction In Fire Behavior And Combustion, Fire Dynamics, Hazardous Materials Chemistry, Incendiary Fire Analysis, Fire-Related Human Behavior, Forensic Procedures, Investigative Techniques, Case Management And Case Preparation. Examples: [Arson Prevention And Investigation], [Fire Investigation]. Continue reading for the important information every fire/arson investigation & prevention major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering fire/arson investigation & prevention programs.
Across the country, fire/arson investigation & prevention draws strong interest, with 69 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Fire/Arson Investigation & Prevention Schools ranking analyzes these 6 schools to determine the best overall colleges for fire/arson investigation & prevention students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of fire/arson investigation & prevention programs later in this article.
Coursework for Fire/Arson Investigation & Prevention develop a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations fire/arson investigation & prevention graduates commonly enter.
Skills built by a fire/arson investigation & prevention program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Per O*NET surveys, a fire/arson investigation & prevention major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several fire/arson investigation & prevention degree levels. The table below shows the typical length of the most common levels, and how many graduates earn each one.
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 1 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 12 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 39 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 5 |
People currently working in careers related to fire/arson investigation & prevention tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Postsecondary certificate | 25.4% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 24.2% |
| Some college courses | 22.5% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 15.5% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 5.9% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 3.6% |
| Master’s degree | 1.5% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 1.3% |
See the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in fire/arson investigation & prevention careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Majoring in fire/arson investigation & prevention prepares you for many career paths. Below are some of the most common occupations related to fire/arson investigation & prevention.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to fire/arson investigation & prevention.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Fire Inspectors and Investigators | 390,120 | 0.9% |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | 143,098 | 15.0% |
Federal data tracks median earnings of fire/arson investigation & prevention graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Wages typically rise as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $63,281 |
| 4 years | $64,817 |
| 5 years | $72,249 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for fire/arson investigation & prevention graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers fire/arson investigation & prevention grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $63,677 |
| Fire Inspectors and Investigators | $60,919 |
With 6 different fire/arson investigation & prevention programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased fire/arson investigation & prevention school rankings to help you.
If you are interested in fire/arson investigation & prevention, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Fire Science/Fire-fighting | 9,863 |
| Fire Prevention and Safety Technology/Technician | 3,350 |
| Fire Services Administration | 1,709 |
| Wildland/Forest Firefighting and Investigation | 88 |
| Fire Protection, Other | 70 |
| Fire Systems Technology | 53 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
