Fire Protection at Austin Community College District

Austin Community College's fire protection certificate shows promise despite limited data—it ranks in the 60th percentile among Texas programs and delivers 26% earnings growth over four years. Starting at $47,024 and climbing to $59,080 by year four, graduates see meaningful income progression that outpaces most peers. The $11,375 debt load is higher than Texas's $6,000 median but still manageable, translating to roughly three months of first-year earnings.

The caveat here is significant: fewer than 30 graduates means these numbers could shift substantially with more data. That said, the trajectory looks reasonable compared to top Texas programs. Lamar Institute of Technology leads the state at $55,778, but ACC's four-year earnings actually surpass that figure. The debt burden sits between Houston Community College and the state median—not ideal, but far from concerning given the income potential.

For a certificate program, this delivers solid value. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.24 is quite manageable, and the earnings growth suggests real career advancement rather than a dead-end credential. If your child is committed to fire protection in the Austin area, this program offers a practical pathway with improving earnings. Just recognize the small sample size means you're working with less certainty than you'd have for larger programs.