Fire Protection (Associate's Degree) at Mission College

Est. Earnings (1yr)

$56,004

Est. from national median (12 programs)

Est. Median Debt

$10,370

Est. from national median (9 programs)

Analysis

In California's Bay Area, where fire protection positions command strong salaries, Mission College's program appears positioned for solid outcomes—though the estimates here deserve scrutiny. Based on comparable fire protection programs nationally, first-year earnings around $56,000 would outpace California's typical $53,847 for this field. The estimated debt load of $10,370 is manageable, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.19 that suggests graduates could reasonably pay off loans within a year or two of work.

The challenge is that these figures come entirely from peer programs rather than Mission College's actual graduate outcomes. Fire protection associate's programs nationwide vary considerably—the top quarter of programs produce first-year earnings above $75,500, while others cluster closer to $50,000. Santa Clara County's higher cost of living and competitive fire department hiring could push outcomes higher for Mission graduates, but without school-specific data, that remains speculation.

For parents evaluating this investment, the estimated numbers suggest reasonable value if they prove accurate. The field itself is stable with clear career paths, and the debt burden is light enough to manage even if earnings fall short of projections. The key risk is uncertainty: you're betting on Mission College replicating what similar programs achieve nationally, without evidence of how their specific graduates fare in California's competitive fire service market.

Where Mission College Stands

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

Compare to Similar Programs in California

Fire Protection associates's programs at peer institutions in California (61 total in state)

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School	In-State Tuition	Earnings (1yr)*	Earnings (4yr)	Median Debt*	Debt/Earnings
Mission CollegeSanta Clara	$1,438	$56,004*	—	$10,370*	—
Santa Ana CollegeSanta Ana	$1,180	$53,847*	$95,342	$14,000*	0.26
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 Mission College, approximately 16% 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.