Fire Protection at Hawkeye Community College

Fire protection programs in Iowa show stronger earnings than the national pattern, with the state median at $76,032 compared to national figures around $56,000. Hawkeye's estimated outcomes—derived from national benchmarks rather than its own graduates—suggest first-year earnings near that lower national figure of $56,004, though actual results could align closer to Iowa's stronger market. The estimated debt of $10,370 remains manageable regardless, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio under 0.20 that works even at the conservative national benchmark.

The challenge here is uncertainty about where Hawkeye graduates actually land in Iowa's salary range. Waldorf University, the only Iowa program with reported data, shows graduates earning $76,032—36% above the national estimate being applied to Hawkeye. If Hawkeye's outcomes track closer to state norms, you're looking at a significantly stronger picture than these estimates suggest. Fire protection careers in Iowa may simply command higher wages than the national average, reflecting local demand or cost of living.

Given the low debt burden, this program carries limited downside even if earnings land at the lower estimate. Thefield offers clear career pathways into firefighting, inspection, and emergency management—roles with stable demand. Just understand you're making this decision with incomplete information about this specific program's track record, though the fundamentals of low debt for entry into a skilled profession remain solid.