Fire Protection at South Georgia Technical College

This associate degree carries an estimated $10,370 in debt against first-year earnings around $56,000—figures drawn from national peer programs in fire protection. That debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.19 suggests manageable repayment, potentially clearing the loan in just a few months of focused payments. For a two-year credential leading to public safety work, that's a reasonable financial foundation.

The challenge is context. With 16 fire protection programs across Georgia but none publishing actual graduate outcomes, parents can't see how this specific program stacks up against in-state alternatives. National benchmarks show wide variation—top-performing programs produce first-year earnings above $75,000, nearly 35% higher than the typical outcome. Fire protection careers depend heavily on local hiring patterns, department budgets, and certification requirements, all of which vary significantly by region. What works in metro Atlanta may look different in rural South Georgia.

The estimated numbers suggest this won't be a financial disaster, but without knowing where South Georgia Tech's graduates actually land—or whether they're securing firefighter positions versus lower-paying related roles—you're making a decision with limited visibility. If your student is committed to fire service in this region and has connections to local departments, the modest debt makes this a defensible choice. Just recognize you're relying on assumptions about outcomes rather than proven track record.