Fire Protection at Onondaga Community College

Based on comparable community college programs nationally, graduates of this fire protection program might carry around $10,370 in debt—a manageable figure that represents just over three months of first-year earnings. The challenge isn't the debt load; it's what those earnings actually buy you in this field.

First-year earnings of $37,705 place this program squarely at the median for fire protection associate's degrees in New York, but here's the troubling part: that same figure sits at just the 5th percentile nationally. Fire protection programs at community colleges across the country typically produce median earnings of $56,004—nearly $18,000 more annually. Whether this gap reflects New York's market realities, the specific focus of Onondaga's curriculum, or graduate career choices isn't clear from the data, but it's a substantial difference that compounds over a career.

The low debt estimate works in your child's favor here, keeping this a relatively low-risk investment even if earnings stay modest. But if they're serious about fire protection, investigate why New York programs trail the national market so significantly. Are graduates taking different roles? Is there a public sector pay structure capping entry salaries? Understanding whether $37,705 represents a starting point with room to grow or a ceiling will determine whether this program sets your child up for a sustainable career or just an entry-level job with limited upside.