Location: West Barnstable, MA•In-State Tuition: $5,712•Out-of-State Tuition: $10,656
Est. Earnings (1yr)
$56,004
Est. from national median (12 programs)
Est. Median Debt
$10,370
Est. from national median (9 programs)

Analysis

Based on comparable programs, this associate's degree shows solid fundamentals—an estimated $56,000 first-year salary against roughly $10,400 in debt—but that estimated earnings figure deserves closer scrutiny. Other Fire Protection programs in Massachusetts report significantly higher outcomes, with the state median at $91,000, over $30,000 more than the national benchmark used here. North Shore Community College's program, for instance, shows graduates earning that higher figure, suggesting Massachusetts fire protection careers typically pay well above national averages.

The question is whether Cape Cod Community College's program produces similar results. The estimated debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.19 looks manageable on paper, but if actual earnings align more closely with other Massachusetts programs, this could be an even stronger investment than the estimates suggest. Conversely, if graduates struggle to access the higher-paying positions that drive the state median upward—perhaps due to geographic constraints on the Cape or differences in training intensity—the national estimate might be closer to reality.

Given this uncertainty, check whether Cape Cod's program places graduates into the same municipal and regional fire departments that feed from other Massachusetts community colleges. If it does, the higher state earnings are probably more relevant than national figures. If graduates face a more limited job market or longer paths to full-time positions, the conservative estimate might better reflect what your child can expect.

Where Cape Cod Community College Stands

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

Cape Cod Community College (estimated ±10%)Other fire protection programs

Dashed lines show national medians. Upper-left = best value.

Compare to Similar Programs in Massachusetts

Fire Protection associates's programs at peer institutions in Massachusetts (12 total in state)

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SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)*Earnings (4yr)Median Debt*Debt/Earnings
Cape Cod Community CollegeWest Barnstable$5,712$56,004*—$10,370*—
North Shore Community CollegeDanvers$5,352$90,948*$110,475$10,192*0.11
National Median—$56,004*—$11,250*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 Cape Cod Community College, approximately 31% 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 12 similar programs. Actual outcomes may vary.