Fire Protection at Pasadena City College

Based on comparable fire protection programs nationally, first-year earnings around $56,000 paired with estimated debt near $10,400 create a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.19—well below the concerning 1.0 threshold. For a two-year degree leading to firefighting and emergency services careers, this represents a practical pathway into a field known for strong benefits and job security, even if the initial paycheck isn't flashy.

The estimated debt here runs lower than both the national and California medians for fire protection programs, which matters significantly for students at a community college where 30% receive Pell grants. While similar California programs like Santa Ana College report actual earnings around $53,800, the estimated figure for Pasadena sits slightly higher. Keep in mind that fire service earnings can vary substantially by municipality and often increase considerably with seniority, overtime, and promotional opportunities—factors these first-year snapshots don't capture.

The real caveat: because both the earnings and debt figures are estimates drawn from peer programs rather than Pasadena's actual graduate outcomes, you're working with educated guesses about what this specific program delivers. For a field where getting hired often depends heavily on local fire department recruitment cycles and physical testing, the program's actual job placement record and connections to regional fire departments matter as much as these financial estimates. Ask the program directly about their recent graduates' hiring rates with local agencies.