Fire Protection at Kilgore College

A debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.19 puts this program in favorable territory—based on comparable fire protection associate's programs nationally, graduates typically earn around $56,000 in their first year while carrying roughly $10,400 in debt. That means the estimated debt load equals less than two months of gross income, giving new firefighters meaningful financial breathing room as they start their careers. Fire protection careers also tend to offer stable employment with public sector benefits that aren't captured in salary figures alone.

The challenge is uncertainty. With 27 fire protection programs across Texas but no reported outcome data from any of them, parents are essentially making decisions in the dark about how Kilgore's specific program performs. The national median provides a reasonable baseline—fire protection is a field with relatively standardized training requirements—but Texas labor markets vary considerably between Houston, rural areas, and border regions. Where your child plans to work matters significantly for both hiring prospects and starting pay.

For families comfortable with some ambiguity, the estimated numbers suggest manageable risk. The debt load is modest enough that even if actual earnings fall somewhat short of the $56,000 estimate, graduates shouldn't face financial crisis. But recognize you're betting on a program without verified outcomes—consider reaching out to Kilgore directly about job placement rates and where recent graduates have been hired.