Fire Protection at Valencia College

Valencia College's Fire Protection program sits right at the median for Florida—which means it underperforms the national benchmark by about $10,000 annually. While that 29th percentile national ranking looks concerning at first glance, context matters: Florida fire protection salaries run lower across the board, and among the 20 Florida programs, this one lands squarely in the middle.

The real strength here is the debt picture. At just $8,000—among the lowest in the nation for this degree—graduates face minimal financial burden with a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.18. That's the equivalent of about two months' salary, manageable for most entry-level firefighters. With nearly 40% of Valencia students receiving Pell grants, this accessible debt load matters for families who need affordability.

The caveat: this data comes from fewer than 30 graduates, so individual outcomes could vary significantly. If your child is committed to fire protection and staying in Florida, Valencia offers a low-risk entry point to the field. The earnings aren't exceptional, but the minimal debt means they won't spend years recovering from the investment. For a career that often values certifications and on-the-job experience over pedigree, starting without heavy loans is a legitimate advantage.