Fire Protection (Associate's Degree) at Durham Technical Community College

Est. Earnings (1yr)

$56,004

Est. from national median (12 programs)

Est. Median Debt

$10,370

Est. from national median (9 programs)

Analysis

A debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.19 positions this program favorably, even if both figures are estimates drawn from peer fire protection programs nationally. With approximately $10,370 in debt against first-year earnings around $56,000, graduates would theoretically need just over two months of gross income to pay off their loans—a manageable burden for an associate's degree. The challenge is that North Carolina has 23 fire protection programs, and none have enough graduates reporting data for the DOE to publish actual outcomes, making it difficult to know whether Durham Tech's specific program delivers results matching the national pattern.

Fire protection is a field where hiring is often local and competitive, with municipal fire departments having their own training requirements and preferences. The estimated earnings suggest decent first-year pay, but these national figures may not reflect Durham's specific job market or what this particular program's alumni actually experience. What matters most is whether Durham Tech has strong placement relationships with regional fire departments and whether their curriculum aligns with North Carolina certification requirements.

Given the data limitations, ask the school directly about job placement rates, which departments hire their graduates, and what percentage of students secure positions within six months. The debt burden appears light enough to justify the risk, but understanding Durham Tech's actual track record—not just national averages—is essential before committing.

Where Durham Technical Community College Stands

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

Compare to Similar Programs Nationally

Fire Protection associates's programs at top institutions nationally

Scroll to see more →

School	In-State Tuition	Earnings (1yr)*	Earnings (4yr)	Median Debt*	Debt/Earnings
Durham Technical Community CollegeDurham	$1,986	$56,004*	—	$10,370*	—
Cincinnati State Technical and Community CollegeCincinnati	$5,400	$91,944*	—	$6,125*	0.07
North Shore Community CollegeDanvers	$5,352	$90,948*	$110,475	$10,192*	0.11
Waldorf UniversityForest City	$25,220	$76,032*	$71,661	$12,609*	0.17
Columbia Southern UniversityOrange Beach	$5,808	$75,326*	$68,139	$10,500*	0.14
Purdue University GlobalWest Lafayette	$10,110	$70,749*	$75,553	$21,244*	0.30
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 Durham Technical Community College, approximately 31% 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.