Fire Protection (Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma) at San Diego Mesa College

Est. Earnings (1yr)

$47,024

Est. from national median (25 programs)

Est. Median Debt

$9,557

Est. from national median (15 programs)

Analysis

Fire protection certificates from California community colleges vary considerably in outcomes, with similar programs across the state producing first-year earnings ranging from roughly $47,000 to over $50,000. Based on national benchmarks for this credential, Mesa's program appears to align with typical outcomes—an estimated $47,000 in first-year earnings with around $9,500 in debt. That's a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.20, well within manageable territory for most graduates. Comparable programs in California suggest slightly higher earnings (around $48,500) but also considerably more debt (typically $15,000), which means Mesa's estimated financial profile may actually represent better value than the state average.

The real question is whether this certificate serves as a stepping stone or a standalone credential. Fire protection programs often attract students already working in emergency services who need specific certifications to advance, meaning they may already have income streams that these estimates don't capture. For a traditional student entering the field fresh, $47,000 represents solid earning potential for a short-term credential, especially with minimal debt. However, these are estimates drawn from peer institutions—Mesa's specific outcomes could differ based on local hiring patterns in San Diego's fire services market.

The low debt burden is the strongest signal here. Even if actual earnings land somewhat below estimates, carrying under $10,000 in debt provides flexibility and minimizes financial risk for students testing the waters in emergency services careers.

Where San Diego Mesa College Stands

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

Compare to Similar Programs in California

Fire Protection certificate's programs at peer institutions in California (58 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	$47,024*	—	$9,557*	—
Modesto Junior CollegeModesto	$1,270	$50,364*	—	—*	—
Santa Ana CollegeSanta Ana	$1,180	$46,660*	—	$15,000*	0.32
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 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 25 similar programs. Actual outcomes may vary.