Fire Protection at Daytona State College

Daytona State's fire protection certificate lands graduates below both national and Florida medians, with first-year earnings of $42,696 trailing the state average by more than $4,000. That gap matters when you consider that top programs like St. Petersburg College and Northwest Florida State place graduates earning $10,000+ more annually. At the 40th percentile among Florida programs, this isn't necessarily disqualifying—but families should understand they're choosing a middle-of-the-pack option in a state with demonstrably stronger alternatives.

The financial burden remains manageable with just under $7,000 in median debt, well below both state and national averages. That 0.16 debt-to-earnings ratio means graduates can realistically pay off their loans within months rather than years. The 9% earnings bump by year four suggests steady career progression, though that $46,532 salary still lags behind what graduates from higher-ranked Florida programs earn right out of the gate.

For students committed to staying in the Daytona Beach area or those who already have admission to Daytona State, this program won't saddle them with problematic debt. But if location flexibility exists, the earnings data suggests looking north to St. Petersburg or the Panhandle, where fire protection graduates command significantly higher starting salaries that compound over an entire career.