Location: Lake Worth, FL•In-State Tuition: $3,050•Out-of-State Tuition: $10,910
Median Earnings (1yr)
$46,698
49th percentile
40th percentile in Florida
Median Debt
$18,971
99% above national median
D/E Ratio: 0.41 ManageableSample: 27 graduates Limited data

Analysis

Palm Beach State's fire protection certificate comes with a significant caveat: the sample size is too small to draw reliable conclusions. But if we take the numbers at face value, the picture is decidedly mixed. Graduates start near the national median at $46,698, placing this program in the 40th percentile among Florida fire protection programs—meaning six in ten comparable Florida programs deliver better first-year outcomes. Top state performers like St. Petersburg College and Northwest Florida State College show significantly stronger earnings trajectories.

The debt load tells a more troubling story. At $18,971, this program saddles students with roughly double the typical debt for fire protection certificates nationwide. While the 28% earnings growth to nearly $60,000 by year four suggests career advancement potential, starting with nearly $19,000 in debt for a certificate program creates an unnecessarily steep hill to climb. That debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.41 isn't catastrophic, but it's high for what should be a lean, affordable credential.

If your child is set on fire protection in Florida, this program's combination of below-median earnings and above-median debt should prompt serious comparison shopping. Several other state colleges deliver better starting salaries with less debt burden. The small sample size adds another layer of uncertainty—these figures might look quite different with more graduates tracked.

Where Palm Beach State College Stands

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

Palm Beach State CollegeOther fire protection programs

Dashed lines show national medians. Upper-left = best value.

Earnings Distribution

How Palm Beach State College graduates compare to all programs nationally

Palm Beach State College earns $47k — 49th percentile among fire protection certificate programs.

Earnings Over Time

How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation

School1 Year4 YearsGrowth
Palm Beach State College$46,698$59,892+28%
Southwestern Illinois College$77,935$70,937-9%
Hillsborough Community College$50,331$58,626+16%
Indian River State College$47,206$49,227+4%
Daytona State College$42,696$46,532+9%

Compare to Similar Programs in Florida

Fire Protection certificate's programs at peer institutions in Florida (32 total in state)

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SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)Earnings (4yr)Median DebtDebt/Earnings
Palm Beach State CollegeLake Worth$3,050$46,698$59,892$18,9710.41
St Petersburg CollegeSt. Petersburg$2,682$55,829—$9,5570.17
Northwest Florida State CollegeNiceville$3,246$52,856———
Hillsborough Community CollegeTampa$2,506$50,331$58,626$14,7350.29
Florida State College at JacksonvilleJacksonville$2,878$49,810———
Indian River State CollegeFort Pierce$2,764$47,206$49,227$5,5000.12
National Median—$47,024—$9,5570.20

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 Palm Beach State College, approximately 38% 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.

Sample Size: Based on 27 graduates with reported earnings and 24 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.