Fire Protection (Associate's Degree) at San Diego Mesa 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 competitive firefighting job market, peer fire protection programs suggest first-year earnings around $56,000—slightly above the state median of $53,847. San Diego Mesa's estimated debt load of $10,370 compares favorably to the $14,000 typical for California fire science programs, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of just 0.19. That means graduates would need less than three months of gross pay to cover their educational investment, assuming the estimates hold.

The challenge is that these figures come from comparable programs nationally, not Mesa's actual graduate outcomes. Fire protection is a field where location, physical fitness standards, and civil service exam performance matter enormously—factors that debt-to-earnings ratios can't capture. California firefighting positions are notoriously competitive, and many graduates work as EMTs or in related roles before securing full-time firefighting positions. The relatively low Pell grant rate (16%) might suggest this program attracts students with family support or those already working in emergency services.

If your child is committed to firefighting and prepared for a potentially lengthy job search, the estimated debt burden is manageable even if starting salaries run lower than projections. Just recognize you're betting on an estimate, not a track record specific to this campus.

Where San Diego Mesa 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)

Scroll to see more →

School	In-State Tuition	Earnings (1yr)*	Earnings (4yr)	Median Debt*	Debt/Earnings
San Diego Mesa CollegeSan Diego	$1,150	$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 San Diego Mesa 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.