Fire Protection (Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma) at Collin County Community College District

Est. Earnings (1yr)

$47,024

Est. from TX median (5 programs)

Est. Median Debt

$6,000

Est. from TX median (3 programs)

Analysis

A fire protection certificate that produces debt of just $6,000 while leading to first-year earnings around $47,000—based on comparable programs across Texas—creates one of the most manageable debt burdens you'll find in any field. That 0.13 debt-to-earnings ratio means graduates could theoretically pay off their loans in less than two months of gross income, making this a low-risk educational investment even with the uncertainty of estimated figures.

The earnings picture is solid but shows limited upside. Similar fire protection programs in Texas cluster tightly between $33,000 and $56,000, suggesting this field delivers steady middle-income work rather than dramatic growth potential. Fire protection is fundamentally about certifications and entry into municipal or industrial safety roles—credentials that open doors quickly but don't typically command premium salaries. The trade-off is stability: these jobs exist in every community and aren't easily automated or outsourced.

For parents worried about immediate employability and minimal debt burden, this program structure makes sense. The low cost protects your downside while the certification pathway gets graduates working quickly. Just understand you're investing in a reliable career launch, not a high-earning trajectory—and that these estimates, while based on peer programs statewide, may not perfectly predict outcomes at this specific campus.

Where Collin County Community College District Stands

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

Compare to Similar Programs in Texas

Fire Protection certificate's programs at peer institutions in Texas (28 total in state)

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School	In-State Tuition	Earnings (1yr)*	Earnings (4yr)	Median Debt*	Debt/Earnings
Collin County Community College DistrictMcKinney	$1,864	$47,024*	—	$6,000*	—
Lamar Institute of TechnologyBeaumont	$2,844	$55,778*	—	—*	—
McLennan Community CollegeWaco	$3,660	$47,467*	$45,755	$5,500*	0.12
Austin Community College DistrictAustin	$2,550	$47,024*	$59,080	$11,375*	0.24
Houston Community CollegeHouston	$2,040	$39,283*	$44,950	—*	—
Hill CollegeHillsboro	$3,570	$33,190*	—	—*	—
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 Collin County Community College District, approximately 16% 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 5 similar programs in TX. Actual outcomes may vary.