Fire Protection at Community College of Aurora

A debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.19 positions this program favorably compared to many community college offerings, though the underlying figures deserve scrutiny. Based on national medians from similar fire protection programs, graduates might expect around $56,000 in first-year earnings against roughly $10,400 in debt—numbers that would typically suggest reasonable value. However, with eight fire protection programs operating in Colorado and none reporting actual graduate outcomes, there's genuine uncertainty about how Aurora's program performs relative to local alternatives or whether Colorado's fire service market supports these national earnings projections.

The financial picture appears manageable on paper, but fire protection careers often depend heavily on local hiring practices, civil service exams, and whether graduates can secure full-time positions versus part-time or volunteer roles. The relatively low Pell grant percentage (16%) might indicate this program attracts students already embedded in the field seeking credentials for advancement rather than career-changers taking on debt for entry-level positions. If your child is already working in fire services or has strong connections to local departments, these estimates may prove conservative. For someone starting from scratch, confirm whether this associate's degree alone leads to hiring or if additional certifications and competitive processes lie ahead before counting on that $56,000 figure.