Fire Protection (Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma) at South Texas College

Est. Earnings (1yr)

$47,024

Est. from TX median (5 programs)

Est. Median Debt

$6,000

Est. from TX median (3 programs)

Analysis

In Texas, fire protection training programs show wide variation in outcomes, with first-year earnings ranging from about $33,000 to over $55,000. South Texas College's certificate falls in the middle of this pack based on what peer programs typically produce—estimated earnings around $47,000 with roughly $6,000 in debt. That debt load is modest and translates to just 13 cents owed for every dollar earned in year one, making repayment manageable even on an entry-level salary.

The caveat here is significant: both the earnings and debt figures are estimates drawn from similar fire protection programs across Texas, not actual outcomes from South Texas College graduates. The small graduate cohorts that trigger data suppression could mean this program is either too new or quite limited in enrollment. For a field like fire protection where certifications, local hiring practices, and connections to fire departments matter enormously, you're betting on a program without verified track record data. The McAllen area job market and the specific partnerships South Texas College maintains with regional fire services will determine whether graduates actually hit that $47,000 mark.

If your child is set on fire protection and has strong ties to the Rio Grande Valley, this certificate offers an affordable entry point. Just know you're making that decision with borrowed confidence from other programs rather than this school's proven outcomes.

Where South Texas College Stands

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

Compare to Similar Programs in Texas

Fire Protection certificate's programs at peer institutions in Texas (28 total in state)

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School	In-State Tuition	Earnings (1yr)*	Earnings (4yr)	Median Debt*	Debt/Earnings
South Texas CollegeMcAllen	$4,920	$47,024*	—	$6,000*	—
Lamar Institute of TechnologyBeaumont	$2,844	$55,778*	—	—*	—
McLennan Community CollegeWaco	$3,660	$47,467*	$45,755	$5,500*	0.12
Austin Community College DistrictAustin	$2,550	$47,024*	$59,080	$11,375*	0.24
Houston Community CollegeHouston	$2,040	$39,283*	$44,950	—*	—
Hill CollegeHillsboro	$3,570	$33,190*	—	—*	—
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 South Texas College, approximately 36% 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 median of 5 similar programs in TX. Actual outcomes may vary.