Fire Protection (Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma) at Allan Hancock College

Est. Earnings (1yr)

$47,024

Est. from national median (25 programs)

Est. Median Debt

$9,557

Est. from national median (15 programs)

Analysis

California's fire protection field offers strong entry points, with similar certificate programs in the state producing median earnings around $48,500. Allan Hancock's program appears positioned near this range—peer programs nationally suggest first-year earnings around $47,000, which translates to solid starting wages for a short-term credential. Nearby Modesto Junior College graduates earn slightly more at $50,000, while Santa Ana sits closer at $46,600, giving you a sense of the typical outcomes across California's community college fire programs.

The estimated debt load of roughly $9,500 stands out as particularly manageable compared to the state median of $15,000 for fire protection certificates. With a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.20, graduates from comparable programs typically owe just 20% of their first-year salary—a level that shouldn't create financial strain for someone entering the workforce. Fire protection careers also offer clear advancement paths and job stability that aren't captured in first-year earnings alone.

For parents considering this investment, the fundamentals look sound: short training time, reasonable estimated costs, and entry into a field with consistent demand. The caveat is that these figures come from peer programs rather than Allan Hancock's actual graduate outcomes, so you'll want to connect with the program directly about job placement rates and whether graduates typically move into California's higher-paying fire departments. For a student committed to fire service, this credential type has proven effective at similar institutions.

Where Allan Hancock College Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all fire protection certificate's programs nationally

Compare to Similar Programs in California

Fire Protection certificate's programs at peer institutions in California (58 total in state)

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School	In-State Tuition	Earnings (1yr)*	Earnings (4yr)	Median Debt*	Debt/Earnings
Allan Hancock CollegeSanta Maria	$1,156	$47,024*	—	$9,557*	—
Modesto Junior CollegeModesto	$1,270	$50,364*	—	—*	—
Santa Ana CollegeSanta Ana	$1,180	$46,660*	—	$15,000*	0.32
National Median	—	$47,024*	—	$9,557*	0.20

* Estimated from similar programs

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with fire protection graduates

Fire Inspectors and Investigators

Inspect buildings to detect fire hazards and enforce local ordinances and state laws, or investigate and gather facts to determine cause of fires and explosions.

$75,480/yrJobs growth:

Forest Fire Inspectors and Prevention Specialists

Enforce fire regulations, inspect forest for fire hazards, and recommend forest fire prevention or control measures. May report forest fires and weather conditions.

$75,480/yrJobs growth:

Career/Technical Education Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach vocational courses intended to provide occupational training below the baccalaureate level in subjects such as construction, mechanics/repair, manufacturing, transportation, or cosmetology, primarily to students who have graduated from or left high school. Teaching takes place in public or private schools whose primary business is academic or vocational education.

$62,910/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Firefighters

Control and extinguish fires or respond to emergency situations where life, property, or the environment is at risk. Duties may include fire prevention, emergency medical service, hazardous material response, search and rescue, and disaster assistance.

$59,530/yrJobs growth:Postsecondary nondegree award

Managers, All Other

All managers not listed separately.

Regulatory Affairs Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate production activities of an organization to ensure compliance with regulations and standard operating procedures.

Compliance Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate activities of an organization to ensure compliance with ethical or regulatory standards.

Loss Prevention Managers

Plan and direct policies, procedures, or systems to prevent the loss of assets. Determine risk exposure or potential liability, and develop risk control measures.

First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers

Directly supervise and coordinate activities of workers engaged in firefighting and fire prevention and control.

About This Data

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)

Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Allan Hancock College, approximately 23% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.

Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.

Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.

Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the national median of 25 similar programs. Actual outcomes may vary.