Location: Portland, OR•In-State Tuition: $5,040•Out-of-State Tuition: $10,080
Est. Earnings (1yr)
$47,024
Est. from national median (25 programs)
Est. Median Debt
$9,557
Est. from national median (15 programs)

Analysis

Portland Community College's fire protection certificate relies on estimated figures from similar programs nationwide, but the projections suggest a financially manageable path into public safety careers. With estimated first-year earnings around $47,000 and debt near $9,600, graduates face a debt burden equal to just 20% of their first-year salary—well within the realm of reasonable educational investments. Fire protection credentials typically lead to positions in municipal fire departments, industrial safety, or code inspection, where steady employment and clear advancement paths are common.

The real value here lies in what these estimates don't capture: firefighting careers offer strong job security, comprehensive benefits packages, and pension systems that make total compensation significantly higher than raw salary figures suggest. Oregon's seven fire protection programs serve a competitive regional market, but demand for trained firefighters remains consistent as departments face retirements and expansion. The community college setting keeps costs low while providing the technical training and certifications employers require.

For families evaluating this path, the estimated debt-to-earnings picture is encouraging, but recognize these are national projections, not Portland CC's actual outcomes. Before committing, confirm the program's certification track record and connections to local fire departments—placement rates and employer partnerships matter more than estimated earnings in this field. If your child is serious about firefighting, this appears to be a cost-effective entry point into a stable career.

Where Portland Community College Stands

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

Portland Community College (estimated ±10%)Other fire protection programs

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

Compare to Similar Programs Nationally

Fire Protection certificate's programs at top institutions nationally

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SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)*Earnings (4yr)Median Debt*Debt/Earnings
Portland Community CollegePortland$5,040$47,024*—$9,557*—
Southwestern Illinois CollegeBelleville$3,870$77,935*$70,937$12,750*0.16
St Petersburg CollegeSt. Petersburg$2,682$55,829*—$9,557*0.17
Lamar Institute of TechnologyBeaumont$2,844$55,778*——*—
Northwest Florida State CollegeNiceville$3,246$52,856*——*—
Modesto Junior CollegeModesto$1,270$50,364*——*—
National Median—$47,024*—$9,557*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 Portland Community College, approximately 31% 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 25 similar programs. Actual outcomes may vary.