Fire Protection (Associate's Degree) at College of the Desert

Est. Earnings (1yr)

$56,004

Est. from national median (12 programs)

Est. Median Debt

$10,370

Est. from national median (9 programs)

Analysis

Fire protection programs in California typically lead to solid first-year earnings, and College of the Desert appears positioned near the middle of this pack. Based on similar programs nationally, graduates here can expect around $56,000 in first-year earnings—slightly above the state median of $53,847 for fire protection associate degrees. While these figures come from peer programs rather than this school's specific outcomes, they suggest graduates enter a field with immediate earning potential that justifies the investment.

The estimated debt load of $10,370 is notably lower than both the state median ($14,000) and national median ($11,250) for this field, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.19. This means graduates would owe roughly two months of their first year's salary—a manageable burden that most could pay down relatively quickly. For a credential that leads directly to employment in public safety, where salary growth and benefits packages tend to be strong, this debt level shouldn't create financial stress.

The catch is uncertainty: with no reported data from College of the Desert itself, you're betting on this program delivering outcomes similar to the national average. Given that one-third of students here receive Pell grants and the school keeps estimated debt well below state norms, the fundamentals look sound for a career-focused associate degree. Just verify that graduates are successfully obtaining California firefighter certifications and securing positions with local departments.

Where College of the Desert Stands

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

Compare to Similar Programs in California

Fire Protection associates's programs at peer institutions in California (61 total in state)

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School	In-State Tuition	Earnings (1yr)*	Earnings (4yr)	Median Debt*	Debt/Earnings
College of the DesertPalm Desert	$1,326	$56,004*	—	$10,370*	—
Santa Ana CollegeSanta Ana	$1,180	$53,847*	$95,342	$14,000*	0.26
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 College of the Desert, approximately 32% 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.