Fire Protection (Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma) at College of the Canyons

Est. Earnings (1yr)

$47,024

Est. from national median (25 programs)

Est. Median Debt

$9,557

Est. from national median (15 programs)

Analysis

A Fire Protection certificate from College of the Canyons faces the same challenge most programs of this type do: modest estimated debt of around $9,500 paired with first-year earnings of $47,000 suggests a manageable financial picture, but these figures come from comparable programs nationally rather than this school's actual outcomes. What matters more for fire protection careers is that California's fire service market is competitive and credential requirements vary widely by agency—some departments value any certificate while others prioritize specific academies or state certifications.

The estimated debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.20 looks reasonable on paper, and the debt estimate actually comes in below California's typical $15,000 for similar programs. Comparable programs in the state show earnings ranging from Santa Ana's $46,660 to Modesto's $50,364, placing the national benchmark squarely in the middle. The real question is whether this certificate opens doors to the specific departments your child wants to work for, or if they'll need additional training from a fire academy regardless.

Before committing, verify what this certificate actually provides—EMT certification? Firefighter I? Hazmat training?—and confirm it meets the prerequisites for departments your child is targeting. The financial risk appears low based on peer programs, but if this becomes a stepping stone requiring further education rather than a direct path to employment, even modest debt adds up.

Where College of the Canyons Stands

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

Compare to Similar Programs in California

Fire Protection certificate's programs at peer institutions in California (58 total in state)

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School	In-State Tuition	Earnings (1yr)*	Earnings (4yr)	Median Debt*	Debt/Earnings
College of the CanyonsSanta Clarita	$1,176	$47,024*	—	$9,557*	—
Modesto Junior CollegeModesto	$1,270	$50,364*	—	—*	—
Santa Ana CollegeSanta Ana	$1,180	$46,660*	—	$15,000*	0.32
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 College of the Canyons, approximately 17% 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 25 similar programs. Actual outcomes may vary.