Fire Protection at Western Technical College

A debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.19 ranks among the strongest you'll find for any associate's degree program. While both the $56,004 earnings figure and $10,370 debt load come from peer programs nationally rather than Western Tech's actual graduates, the fundamentals of fire protection as a field work in students' favor. The estimated debt sits just below Wisconsin's $10,000 median for these programs, suggesting Western Tech keeps costs competitive with other technical colleges in the state.

Fire protection tends to produce reliable early earnings because the work is hands-on, certifications matter more than prestige, and departments across the country face consistent hiring needs. That said, the fact that the Department of Education suppresses Western Tech's specific outcomes—likely due to small cohort sizes—means you're investing based on typical patterns rather than this school's track record. The estimated $56,004 represents what similar programs produce nationally, which could look quite different in La Crosse's specific job market.

The low debt burden gives graduates breathing room even if their actual earnings fall short of the national median. With monthly payments likely under $120 on standard repayment, this program leaves room for the modest starting salaries common in smaller markets while still offering a clear path into steady public safety work.