Fire Protection (Associate's Degree) at Southeastern Community College

Est. Earnings (1yr)

$56,004

Est. from national median (12 programs)

Est. Median Debt

$10,370

Est. from national median (9 programs)

Analysis

A fire protection associate's degree from Southeastern Community College carries an estimated $10,370 in debt—well below both state and national benchmarks for the program. That's manageable debt for a field that typically leads directly to employment, and the 0.19 debt-to-earnings ratio suggests graduates could pay this off within a few months if they prioritize it. The modest debt load is particularly meaningful given that more than a quarter of students here receive Pell grants, indicating the program serves many students who need affordable pathways.

The earnings picture requires more caution. Peer programs nationally suggest first-year earnings around $56,000, but Iowa's fire protection programs typically produce higher outcomes—Waldorf University's graduates, for instance, earn a median of $76,000. This $20,000 gap matters. It could reflect differences in program connections to fire departments, the types of positions graduates pursue, or geographic factors within the state. Without actual data from Southeastern's own graduates, it's difficult to know whether this program performs closer to Iowa's stronger outcomes or falls short of them.

The fundamentals favor this program: low debt, direct career training, and entry into public safety work with stable employment. But if your child is serious about maximizing earnings in fire protection within Iowa, investigating why comparable programs in the state show substantially higher outcomes is worth the effort before committing.

Where Southeastern Community College Stands

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

Compare to Similar Programs in Iowa

Fire Protection associates's programs at peer institutions in Iowa (8 total in state)

Scroll to see more →

School	In-State Tuition	Earnings (1yr)*	Earnings (4yr)	Median Debt*	Debt/Earnings
Southeastern Community CollegeWest Burlington	$6,300	$56,004*	—	$10,370*	—
Waldorf UniversityForest City	$25,220	$76,032*	$71,661	$12,609*	0.17
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 Southeastern Community College, approximately 27% 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.