Location: Culver City, CA•In-State Tuition: $1,238•Out-of-State Tuition: $10,130
Est. Earnings (1yr)
$56,004
Est. from national median (12 programs)
Est. Median Debt
$10,370
Est. from national median (9 programs)

Analysis

This fire protection program carries an estimated $10,370 in debt—below both the state and national medians for similar programs—while positioning graduates for first-year earnings around $56,000 based on comparable associate's degree programs nationwide. That debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.19 suggests a manageable financial burden, with graduates potentially earning enough to pay off loans within a few months of entry-level work.

What makes fire protection programs particularly attractive is the career path they open. Similar programs in California typically produce first-year earnings in the $53,000-$56,000 range, and the field offers clear advancement opportunities through additional certifications and experience. The relatively low debt load at West Los Angeles—about $3,600 less than the California median—means graduates can focus on building their careers rather than managing heavy loan payments. For a community college program leading to public safety careers with strong job security and benefits, this represents solid value.

The caveat is that these figures are drawn from peer programs rather than West LA's specific outcomes, so actual results could vary. Still, the fundamentals look sound: low debt for a credential that opens doors to stable, middle-class employment in a field with consistent demand across California's communities.

Where West Los Angeles College Stands

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

West Los Angeles College (estimated ±10%)Other fire protection programs

Dashed lines show national medians. Upper-left = best value.

Compare to Similar Programs in California

Fire Protection associates's programs at peer institutions in California (61 total in state)

Scroll to see more →

SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)*Earnings (4yr)Median Debt*Debt/Earnings
West Los Angeles CollegeCulver City$1,238$56,004*—$10,370*—
Santa Ana CollegeSanta Ana$1,180$53,847*$95,342$14,000*0.26
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 West Los Angeles College, approximately 20% 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.