Fire Protection at Southeast Community College Area

With an estimated debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.19, this associate's degree appears manageable on paper—but the trajectory here raises questions. First-year earnings of roughly $56,000, based on national peer programs, drop to $46,096 by year four. That backward slide is unusual and suggests either job market volatility in fire protection or a pattern where early responders don't see the salary growth typical in other fields.

The estimated $10,370 debt load is modest, which offers some cushion against that earnings dip. Nationally, fire protection associate's programs cluster around these same figures, so Southeast Community College isn't an outlier. But parents should understand that "fire protection" can mean different career paths—some lead to firefighting roles with municipal benefits and pensions, others to fire inspection or prevention jobs with different compensation structures. The earnings decline by year four might reflect career switching or the reality that entry-level firefighter pay doesn't climb quickly without additional certifications or promotions.

The practical question is whether this program connects to Nebraska's public safety hiring pipeline. With only three schools offering this degree statewide, there's limited competition for graduates, but that could signal either opportunity or a small job market. Ask the college directly about job placement rates and which local fire departments actively recruit from their program.