Fire Protection at Glendale Community College

A debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.20 suggests a manageable financial picture, but the catch here is uncertainty. Based on comparable fire protection certificates nationally, graduates might expect around $47,000 in first-year earnings with roughly $9,500 in debt—numbers that look reasonable on paper. The four-year earnings figure of $57,804 is actual data from this program's graduates, showing solid income growth over time. However, Arizona's fire protection landscape tells a more sobering story: the state median sits at just $35,059, substantially lower than the national figure used to estimate this program's outcomes.

That gap matters. If Glendale's graduates track closer to Arizona norms than national ones, the value proposition weakens considerably. Fire protection credentials can lead to stable municipal employment with benefits, but starting salaries vary dramatically by department size and location. The estimated debt load is modest enough that even lower earnings wouldn't be crushing, but parents should recognize they're working with projections drawn from programs elsewhere, not Glendale's actual track record.

The practical move: contact Glendale directly about job placement rates and where recent graduates have landed employment. Fire departments often prefer local hiring, so understanding which Arizona municipalities recruit from this program matters more than national averages. The financial risk appears limited, but without confirmed outcomes, you're betting on this program performing above the Arizona median.