Fire Protection (Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma) at Lakeland Community College

Est. Earnings (1yr)

$47,024

Est. from national median (25 programs)

Est. Median Debt

$8,000

Est. from OH median (3 programs)

Analysis

A debt load around $8,000 for a fire protection certificate is manageable when similar programs nationally produce first-year earnings near $47,000. That debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.17 means graduates would owe roughly two months' salary—a reasonable burden for entering a field with clear career paths in firefighting, fire inspection, and emergency management. Based on comparable programs in Ohio, this certificate should provide a direct route to public safety careers without the prolonged debt repayment that plagues many four-year degrees.

The state context matters here. Ohio's fire protection programs cluster around $44,000 in first-year earnings, with some variation—Great Oaks graduates start around $41,000 while Butler Tech pushes closer to $47,000. Lakeland's estimated outcomes align with the stronger performers, though the small graduate cohort means we're working with projections rather than this school's actual track record. Community college fire protection programs typically serve students moving quickly into municipal fire departments or private sector fire safety roles, where additional certifications and experience matter as much as the initial credential.

For parents, the key question is whether their student has a genuine interest in fire science careers specifically. This isn't a general-purpose certificate—it's vocational training for a defined sector. If your child is committed to firefighting or fire prevention work, the estimated debt burden is modest and the career pathway is clear. If they're still exploring options, a certificate this specialized may be premature.

Where Lakeland Community College Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all fire protection certificate's programs nationally

Compare to Similar Programs in Ohio

Fire Protection certificate's programs at peer institutions in Ohio (24 total in state)

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School	In-State Tuition	Earnings (1yr)*	Earnings (4yr)	Median Debt*	Debt/Earnings
Lakeland Community CollegeKirtland	$3,872	$47,024*	—	$8,000*	—
Butler Technology and Career Development SchoolsMonroe	—	$47,379*	—	$6,607*	0.14
Great Oaks Career CampusesCincinnati	—	$41,349*	—	$8,000*	0.19
National Median	—	$47,024*	—	$9,557*	0.20

* Estimated from similar programs

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with fire protection graduates

Fire Inspectors and Investigators

Inspect buildings to detect fire hazards and enforce local ordinances and state laws, or investigate and gather facts to determine cause of fires and explosions.

$75,480/yrJobs growth:

Forest Fire Inspectors and Prevention Specialists

Enforce fire regulations, inspect forest for fire hazards, and recommend forest fire prevention or control measures. May report forest fires and weather conditions.

$75,480/yrJobs growth:

Career/Technical Education Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach vocational courses intended to provide occupational training below the baccalaureate level in subjects such as construction, mechanics/repair, manufacturing, transportation, or cosmetology, primarily to students who have graduated from or left high school. Teaching takes place in public or private schools whose primary business is academic or vocational education.

$62,910/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Firefighters

Control and extinguish fires or respond to emergency situations where life, property, or the environment is at risk. Duties may include fire prevention, emergency medical service, hazardous material response, search and rescue, and disaster assistance.

$59,530/yrJobs growth:Postsecondary nondegree award

Managers, All Other

All managers not listed separately.

Regulatory Affairs Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate production activities of an organization to ensure compliance with regulations and standard operating procedures.

Compliance Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate activities of an organization to ensure compliance with ethical or regulatory standards.

Loss Prevention Managers

Plan and direct policies, procedures, or systems to prevent the loss of assets. Determine risk exposure or potential liability, and develop risk control measures.

First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers

Directly supervise and coordinate activities of workers engaged in firefighting and fire prevention and control.

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 Lakeland Community College, approximately 22% 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.

Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the national median of 25 similar programs. Actual outcomes may vary.