Fire Protection (Associate's Degree) at Lewis and Clark Community College

Est. Earnings (1yr)

$56,004

Est. from national median (12 programs)

Est. Median Debt

$10,370

Est. from national median (9 programs)

Analysis

Lewis and Clark Community College's Fire Protection associate's appears positioned near the middle of the pack for Illinois programs, based on what peer institutions typically deliver. Comparable programs nationwide suggest first-year earnings around $56,000, with similar programs in Illinois averaging slightly higher at $58,160. The estimated $10,370 in debt translates to a ratio of 0.19—manageable even if earnings land at the lower end of expectations.

What matters here is context: fire protection is a field where certification, physical fitness, and local hiring practices often matter more than where you earned your associate's degree. The debt burden is relatively modest compared to many two-year programs, and the career trajectory in emergency services typically improves with experience and additional certifications. Illinois has a robust network of fire departments, which could work in graduates' favor regardless of which community college they attended.

The practical concern is that without actual outcomes data for this specific program, you're relying on national patterns that may not reflect local opportunities in the Godfrey area. Check whether the program maintains relationships with regional fire departments for hiring and whether graduates are passing certification exams at competitive rates—those details matter more than slight variations in estimated earnings between Illinois programs.

Where Lewis and Clark Community College Stands

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

Compare to Similar Programs in Illinois

Fire Protection associates's programs at peer institutions in Illinois (26 total in state)

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School	In-State Tuition	Earnings (1yr)*	Earnings (4yr)	Median Debt*	Debt/Earnings
Lewis and Clark Community CollegeGodfrey	$3,552	$56,004*	—	$10,370*	—
College of DuPageGlen Ellyn	$4,320	$58,160*	—	—*	—
National Median	—	$56,004*	—	$11,250*	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 Lewis and Clark Community College, approximately 21% 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 12 similar programs. Actual outcomes may vary.