Fire Protection at St Petersburg College

Four years into their career, fire protection graduates from St. Petersburg College earn a median of $84,317—a figure that stands well above both state and national benchmarks for this field. This actual, reported data point is the clearest indicator we have of this program's value, though the first-year earnings and debt figures are estimates based on comparable programs nationally.

Those estimates suggest starting earnings around $56,000 with roughly $10,370 in debt, numbers that would produce a highly manageable debt burden if they hold true for this specific program. The estimated debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.19 means graduates might expect to owe less than three months' salary—far below concerning thresholds. What's particularly striking is the jump from estimated first-year earnings to the actual four-year median, indicating strong career progression in this field once graduates establish themselves in fire protection roles.

The limitation here is obvious: we're looking at one solid data point (the four-year earnings) while the rest is extrapolation from peer programs. But that four-year figure of $84,317—actual outcomes from this school's graduates—suggests the program successfully launches careers in a field with real earning potential. If your child is serious about fire protection, this appears to be a financially sound path with demonstrated results, though confirming the debt estimate with the financial aid office would add certainty to an already promising picture.