Fire Protection at Elizabethtown Community and Technical College

Based on what similar fire protection programs produce nationally, this associate's degree appears to position graduates for solid entry into emergency services careers. The estimated first-year earnings of $56,004 represent a respectable starting point for a two-year credential, particularly given the estimated debt load of just over $10,000. That 0.19 debt-to-earnings ratio suggests graduates could reasonably pay off their loans within a year or two while building toward higher-paying positions—fire protection careers typically offer strong advancement potential as professionals gain certifications and experience.

The challenge here is that we're working entirely from estimates drawn from peer programs, since this specific program's graduate cohort was too small for the Department of Education to publish actual outcomes. While the national benchmarks show considerable variation (top programs produce $75,500 in first-year earnings), we simply don't know where Elizabethtown's graduates fall within that range. Kentucky has 14 schools offering this program, but none with publicly available earnings data to provide more localized context.

For families considering this path, the modest debt estimate is encouraging, but understand you're betting on a program without visibility into its specific placement success or regional employer relationships. If your child is committed to fire protection, connect directly with the program about graduate hiring rates, partnerships with local fire departments, and certification pass rates—those details matter more than any estimate can tell you.