Fire Protection at Lewis and Clark Community College

In Illinois, fire protection programs show a stark divide. Southwestern Illinois College reports first-year earnings of $77,935 for its fire protection graduates—a figure that reflects the strong demand for trained firefighters in the state. Based on national peer programs, Lewis and Clark's certificate appears to prepare students for roughly $47,000 in first-year earnings, which sits well below what Illinois firefighters typically command.

The estimated $9,557 in debt keeps this manageable even at lower earnings projections, translating to a debt-to-earnings ratio of just 0.20. That's a reasonable burden for any credential. But the real question is whether this particular program connects students to Illinois's better-paying fire service opportunities or prepares them for lower-tier positions. The $30,000 gap between similar programs in the same state is too significant to ignore—it suggests either different career pathways (perhaps volunteer versus career departments) or varying success in placement.

Before committing, contact Lewis and Clark's program directly to understand where their graduates actually land jobs and what they earn. Ask specifically about placement with municipal fire departments versus other employers. If the school's outcomes align more with Illinois norms than national ones, this becomes a solid investment. If not, you're looking at a longer payback period than the debt ratio alone suggests.