Location: Marianna, FL•In-State Tuition: $3,120•Out-of-State Tuition: $8,950
Est. Earnings (1yr)
$46,952
Est. from FL median (10 programs)
Est. Median Debt
$9,557
Est. from FL median (5 programs)

Analysis

Similar fire protection programs in Florida suggest first-year earnings around $47,000—right in line with the national median for this credential. With estimated debt of $9,557, that translates to a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.20, meaning graduates could theoretically pay off their loans in about 2.5 months of gross income. This financial profile mirrors what fire protection certificate programs typically deliver across Florida's community college system.

The challenge is context. While the estimated numbers align with statewide averages, top-performing fire protection programs in Florida report significantly higher outcomes—Northwest Florida State and St. Petersburg College graduates earn $52,000 to $56,000 in their first year. Without actual data from Chipola's program, it's unclear whether their graduates fall closer to the state average or lag behind. Fire protection is a field where local hiring networks and departmental connections matter enormously, and those relationships vary considerably between institutions.

For families considering this program, the estimated debt burden is light enough that even if earnings come in below the Florida median, the financial risk remains modest. However, if you're choosing between fire protection programs in Florida, contact departments directly about their job placement rates and relationships with local fire departments—those connections will determine whether graduates access the higher end of the earning spectrum or settle for less competitive positions.

Where Chipola College Stands

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

Chipola College (estimated ±10%)Other fire protection programs

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

Compare to Similar Programs in Florida

Fire Protection certificate's programs at peer institutions in Florida (32 total in state)

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SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)*Earnings (4yr)Median Debt*Debt/Earnings
Chipola CollegeMarianna$3,120$46,952*—$9,557*—
St Petersburg CollegeSt. Petersburg$2,682$55,829*—$9,557*0.17
Northwest Florida State CollegeNiceville$3,246$52,856*——*—
Hillsborough Community CollegeTampa$2,506$50,331*$58,626$14,735*0.29
Florida State College at JacksonvilleJacksonville$2,878$49,810*——*—
Indian River State CollegeFort Pierce$2,764$47,206*$49,227$5,500*0.12
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 Chipola College, approximately 27% 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 10 similar programs in FL. Actual outcomes may vary.