Median Earnings (1yr)
$39,283
19th percentile (25th in TX)
Sample Size
22
Limited data

Earnings Distribution

How Houston Community College graduates compare to all programs nationally

Houston Community College graduates earn $39k, placing them in the 19th percentile of all fire protection certificate programs nationally.

Earnings Over Time

How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation

Earnings trajectories vary significantly. Some programs show strong early returns that plateau; others start lower but accelerate. Consider where you want to be at year 4, not just year 1.

Compare to Similar Programs in Texas

Fire Protection certificate's programs at peer institutions in Texas (28 total in state)

SchoolEarnings (1yr)Earnings (4yr)Median DebtDebt/Earnings
Houston Community College$39,283$44,950
Lamar Institute of Technology$55,778
McLennan Community College$47,467$45,755$5,5000.12
Austin Community College District$47,024$59,080$11,3750.24
Hill College$33,190
National Median$47,024$9,5570.20

Other Fire Protection Programs in Texas

Compare tuition, earnings, and debt across Texas schools

SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)Debt
Lamar Institute of Technology
Beaumont
$2,844$55,778
McLennan Community College
Waco
$3,660$47,467$5,500
Austin Community College District
Austin
$2,550$47,024$11,375
Hill College
Hillsboro
$3,570$33,190

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 Houston Community College, approximately 37% 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.

Sample Size: Based on 22 graduates with reported earnings and 15 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.