Fire Protection at University of Alaska Anchorage

A debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.19 suggests relatively manageable financing for this associate degree, though both figures come from national peer programs rather than UAA's specific outcomes. Similar fire protection programs across the country produce median first-year earnings around $56,000—a solid entry point for a two-year credential—with typical debt loads just over $10,000. Alaska's unique public safety landscape and higher cost of living could push these numbers in either direction for UAA graduates specifically.

The challenge is that Alaska has only three programs statewide, and none report sufficient graduate data for direct comparison. This leaves you estimating whether UAA's fire protection training translates to the strong employment outcomes common in larger markets. Fire protection careers often depend heavily on local hiring patterns with municipal departments and regional firefighting agencies, making the lack of Alaska-specific data particularly frustrating when trying to gauge actual job placement.

If your child is committed to firefighting or emergency services in Alaska, the estimated debt burden appears reasonable—less than 20% of first-year earnings beats most associate degree programs nationally. But confirm directly with UAA about their specific graduate outcomes, partnerships with Alaska fire departments, and whether most students stay in-state for employment. Without school-specific data, you're making this investment based on how similar programs perform elsewhere, not on UAA's actual track record.