Fire Protection at California State University-Los Angeles

Cal State LA's fire protection program serves an overwhelmingly working-class student body while keeping debt remarkably low—graduates leave with just $11,750 in median debt, less than half the national median for this field. That 0.24 debt-to-earnings ratio means students typically owe less than three months of their first-year salary, giving them immediate financial breathing room. The modest starting salary of $48,289 reflects California's market reality: with only two schools offering this bachelor's degree in the state, both programs show identical median earnings, suggesting this is simply what entry-level fire protection professionals earn here.

What matters more than the starting point is the trajectory. Earnings jump 27% to over $61,000 by year four, and the program's 60th percentile ranking among California fire protection programs tells you it's competitive within the state—even if it lags the $67,000 national median. That national comparison is somewhat misleading given California's unique fire service landscape and the fact that many fire protection roles don't require bachelor's degrees at all.

For families prioritizing minimal debt and reasonable earnings growth in a stable public safety career, this delivers. The debt burden won't derail financial independence, and the 66% Pell Grant population suggests the school understands how to serve students who can't afford financial mistakes. Just understand you're not entering a high-earning field—you're choosing job security and public service over maximizing income.