Fire Protection at University of New Mexico-Los Alamos Campus

Based on comparable fire protection programs nationwide, this associate's degree appears to deliver practical value without crushing debt. Similar programs typically produce first-year earnings around $56,000, while estimated debt here sits at just $10,370—meaning graduates could potentially pay off what they owe in about two months of gross earnings. That 0.19 debt-to-earnings ratio suggests a manageable financial burden, particularly for a field where physical skills and certifications often matter more than classroom pedigree.

The challenge is that New Mexico has 11 fire protection programs, but none report public outcomes data, making it difficult to assess how this UNM-Los Alamos program stacks up locally. Fire protection careers can vary dramatically based on whether graduates land municipal firefighting positions (typically better compensated with strong benefits) versus private-sector fire safety roles. The national benchmark shows top-performing programs reach $75,500 in first-year earnings—a meaningful difference that likely reflects these career path distinctions.

For families considering this program, the estimated numbers suggest reasonable economics for an entry into emergency services, but you'll want to investigate job placement rates and what specific certifications or connections this campus provides. The extremely low Pell grant percentage (just 6%) hints at an unusual student population that may not reflect typical community college demographics, raising questions about who this program actually serves and whether its pathways align with your student's career goals.