WhatGradsMake
Certificate (under 1 year)+3% vs national median142 grads tracked

Fire Protection at Waubonsee Community College

Ranked 21st of 64 certificate (under 1 year) programs in Fire Protection by 5-year earnings.

Median · 1 year out
$32,604
middle 50%: $22,972 – $55,665
Median · 5 years out
$72,966
middle 50%: $48,487 – $98,392
Median · 10 years out
$128,416
middle 50%: $97,992 – $164,724

Salary trajectory

Median earnings vs the national median for Fire Protection (certificate (under 1 year)) graduates.

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

Graduates of Waubonsee Community College's certificate (under 1 year) program in Fire Protection earn a median $32,604 one year after graduating, rising to $128,416 by year ten. Five years out, earnings run 3% above the national median of $71,068 for this field, ranking 21st of 64 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
6.3 yrs
≈ $8,023 total interest

Same major at other universities

Colorado Mountain College
$76,015 · 5 yrs out
Lone Star College System
$75,144 · 5 yrs out
Tyler Junior College
$74,301 · 5 yrs out
Blinn College
$74,080 · 5 yrs out
San Jacinto Community College District
$73,425 · 5 yrs out
Midland College
$73,042 · 5 yrs out
Community College of Aurora
$72,896 · 5 yrs out
Southwestern Illinois College
$72,441 · 5 yrs out
McHenry County College
$72,384 · 5 yrs out
Odessa College
$72,258 · 5 yrs out
Oakton College
$71,899 · 5 yrs out
Northland Community and Technical College
$71,084 · 5 yrs out

Other majors at Waubonsee Community College

Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services (Associate)
$101,595 · 5 yrs out
Construction Trades (Certificate)
$89,069 · 5 yrs out
Electrical and Power Transmission Installers (Certificate)
$87,447 · 5 yrs out
Fire Protection (Associate)
$77,273 · 5 yrs out
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Associate)
$74,796 · 5 yrs out
Health Professions and Related Programs (Associate)
$73,293 · 5 yrs out
Engineering/Engineering-Related Technologies/Technicians (Certificate)
$70,870 · 5 yrs out
Heavy/Industrial Equipment Maintenance Technologies/Technicians (Certificate)
$67,174 · 5 yrs out
Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician (HAC, HACR, HVAC, HVACR) (Certificate)
$67,042 · 5 yrs out
Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician (HAC, HACR, HVAC, HVACR) (Certificate)
$65,698 · 5 yrs out
Construction Trades (Certificate)
$65,194 · 5 yrs out
Electrical and Power Transmission Installers (Certificate)
$65,194 · 5 yrs out

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