Fire Protection (Associate's Degree) at Shasta College

Est. Earnings (1yr)

$56,004

Est. from national median (12 programs)

Est. Median Debt

$10,370

Est. from national median (9 programs)

Analysis

California's fire protection field offers solid entry points, and based on national patterns for similar programs, Shasta College appears positioned competitively. The estimated $56,000 first-year earnings slightly outpace the state median of $53,847, while the projected debt load of around $10,370 comes in notably lower than California's typical $14,000 for fire protection associate degrees. This debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.19 suggests graduates could potentially clear their loans in under three months of gross earnings—a threshold most financial advisors consider manageable.

The caveat here is substantial: these figures come from peer programs nationally and within California, not from tracking Shasta's specific graduates. Fire protection outcomes can vary based on local hiring patterns, whether students pursue municipal fire service versus wildland firefighting (particularly relevant in Northern California), and individual certifications earned alongside the degree. The 37% Pell grant rate indicates Shasta serves students with limited financial resources, making that lower estimated debt particularly important if it holds true.

For families considering this path, the risk profile looks reasonable given fire protection's clear career trajectory and the relatively modest debt load. The key questions to ask Shasta directly: what percentage of graduates secure full-time positions within six months, and how many move into permanent fire service versus seasonal wildland work? Those employment patterns will matter more than the estimates here.

Where Shasta 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
Shasta CollegeRedding	$1,197	$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 Shasta College, approximately 37% 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.