WhatGradsMake
Associate-7% vs national median201 grads tracked

Fire Protection at Elgin Community College

Ranked 65th of 101 associate programs in Fire Protection by 5-year earnings.

Median · 1 year out
$50,636
middle 50%: $31,660 – $100,994
Median · 5 years out
$75,786
middle 50%: $50,368 – $114,975
Median · 10 years out
$115,056
middle 50%: $73,157 – $147,002

Salary trajectory

Median earnings vs the national median for Fire Protection (associate) graduates.

This program (median)National median, same major & degreeMiddle 50% of graduates

Graduates of Elgin Community College's associate program in Fire Protection earn a median $50,636 one year after graduating, rising to $115,056 by year ten. Five years out, earnings run 7% below the national median of $81,295 for this field, ranking 65th of 101 reporting programs.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau PSEO, release V4.13.0 2025Q4. Earnings are for graduates working in covered states; figures are medians in nominal dollars.

Will the degree pay for itself?

Drag the sliders — payback uses this program's actual salary curve.

Assumes a 6.5% APR loan and this program's median salary trajectory (interpolated between years 1, 5 and 10).

Paid off in
5.6 yrs
≈ $6,409 total interest

Same major at other universities

Hocking Technical College
$78,372 · 5 yrs out
Central Oregon Community College
$78,278 · 5 yrs out
Tidewater Community College
$78,072 · 5 yrs out
Suffolk County Community College
$77,755 · 5 yrs out
Waubonsee Community College
$77,273 · 5 yrs out
Triton College
$76,015 · 5 yrs out
Blinn College
$75,548 · 5 yrs out
Louisiana State University at Eunice
$75,224 · 5 yrs out
Cincinnati State Technical & Community College
$74,364 · 5 yrs out
Metropolitan Community College
$74,055 · 5 yrs out
Schenectady County Community College
$73,728 · 5 yrs out
Montana State University - Billings
$73,442 · 5 yrs out

Other majors at Elgin Community College

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Associate)
$79,834 · 5 yrs out
Heavy/Industrial Equipment Maintenance Technologies/Technicians (Certificate)
$76,251 · 5 yrs out
Health Professions and Related Programs (Associate)
$75,752 · 5 yrs out
Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants (Certificate)
$75,598 · 5 yrs out
Engineering/Engineering-Related Technologies/Technicians (Associate)
$72,585 · 5 yrs out
Electrical/Electronics Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians (Certificate)
$69,841 · 5 yrs out
Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician (HAC, HACR, HVAC, HVACR) (Associate)
$69,154 · 5 yrs out
Engineering (Associate)
$68,521 · 5 yrs out
Engineering, General (Associate)
$68,521 · 5 yrs out
Science Technologies/Technicians (Certificate)
$67,887 · 5 yrs out
Biology/Biotechnology Technologies/Technicians (Certificate)
$67,887 · 5 yrs out
Health Professions and Related Programs (Certificate)
$67,050 · 5 yrs out

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