Fire Protection at Hillsborough Community College

Hillsborough Community College's fire protection certificate produces graduates earning $50,331 in their first year—above both the state median ($46,952) and national average ($47,024). That's solid performance in the 60th percentile among Florida's 32 programs, though not quite matching top-tier options like St. Petersburg College ($55,829). More importantly, graduates see their earnings jump 17% to $58,626 by year four, suggesting genuine career progression rather than a dead-end credential.

The debt picture looks excellent at first glance: $14,735 is manageable with a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.29, meaning graduates could theoretically pay off their loans in about four months of earnings. However, this debt figure sits higher than both state and national medians (around $9,500), placing it in the 6th percentile nationally—meaning 94% of similar programs leave students with less debt. For a certificate program at a community college, that's worth questioning, especially when comparable Florida schools achieve similar outcomes with lower debt loads.

One major caveat: this data comes from fewer than 30 graduates, so individual circumstances could significantly skew these numbers. If you're considering this program, the earnings trajectory looks promising and the debt remains payable, but compare financial aid packages carefully. At $14,735, you're borrowing about 50% more than typical fire protection students elsewhere in Florida.