Fire Protection (Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma) at Blinn College District

Est. Earnings (1yr)

$47,024

Est. from TX median (5 programs)

Est. Median Debt

$6,000

Est. from TX median (3 programs)

Analysis

Based on comparable fire protection programs across Texas, Blinn's certificate appears positioned in the sweet spot of value—estimated $6,000 in debt against first-year earnings around $47,000. That's a debt load graduates could reasonably pay off in a matter of months, not years, while entering a field where demand typically runs strong.

The catch is transparency. With earnings and debt figures both estimated from peer programs rather than Blinn's actual outcomes, you're making an investment decision on proxy data. Still, the estimates align with what similar schools in Texas report: Lamar Institute tops out at $55,778 while Hill College sits at $33,190, putting the $47,000 projection squarely in the middle. The debt estimate of $6,000 runs well below the national median of $9,557 for fire protection certificates, which matters when you're looking at a credential designed to get someone job-ready fast.

For a certificate program, especially in a technical field like fire protection, the low debt burden matters more than the absolute earnings number. Even if actual outcomes vary from these estimates, starting a career with minimal debt gives your child flexibility—whether that means staying local in a smaller fire department or holding out for better-paying positions in metro areas. Just know you're relying on the broader Texas fire protection landscape to predict what this specific program delivers.

Where Blinn College District Stands

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

Compare to Similar Programs in Texas

Fire Protection certificate's programs at peer institutions in Texas (28 total in state)

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School	In-State Tuition	Earnings (1yr)*	Earnings (4yr)	Median Debt*	Debt/Earnings
Blinn College DistrictBrenham	$4,580	$47,024*	—	$6,000*	—
Lamar Institute of TechnologyBeaumont	$2,844	$55,778*	—	—*	—
McLennan Community CollegeWaco	$3,660	$47,467*	$45,755	$5,500*	0.12
Austin Community College DistrictAustin	$2,550	$47,024*	$59,080	$11,375*	0.24
Houston Community CollegeHouston	$2,040	$39,283*	$44,950	—*	—
Hill CollegeHillsboro	$3,570	$33,190*	—	—*	—
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 Blinn College District, approximately 20% 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 median of 5 similar programs in TX. Actual outcomes may vary.