Fire Protection at Camden County College

Camden County College's Fire Protection associate's program appears positioned in the middle of the national pack, with peer programs nationally suggesting first-year earnings around $56,000 against estimated debt of roughly $10,400. That 0.19 debt-to-earnings ratio is manageable—graduates would owe less than three months' salary, which is favorable for a technical associate's degree. The real question is whether this represents the floor or ceiling for this field.

Fire protection programs nationally show considerable variation, with top performers reaching $75,500 in first-year earnings. That 35% gap between median and top-quartile outcomes matters enormously in a field where advancement often depends on certifications, municipal budgets, and union structures. New Jersey's fire service landscape—with its mix of urban departments, suburban volunteer companies, and industrial facilities—could offer pathways to higher earnings, but much depends on local hiring patterns and whether graduates land paid positions versus volunteer roles with lower compensation.

The modest debt load gives graduates breathing room to pursue additional certifications or wait for competitive positions rather than taking the first offer. For families, the key consideration is whether your child has realistic prospects for paid positions in their target area—volunteer firefighting is noble work but doesn't justify even $10,000 in student loans from a purely financial perspective.