WhatGradsMake
Certificate (under 1 year)-16% vs national median70 grads tracked

Fire Protection at Cedar Valley College

Ranked 51st of 64 certificate (under 1 year) programs in Fire Protection by 5-year earnings.

Median · 1 year out
$35,452
middle 50%: $26,467 – $49,171
Median · 5 years out
$59,848
middle 50%: $42,776 – $75,893
Median · 10 years out
$76,015
middle 50%: $56,170 – $103,697

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 Cedar Valley College's certificate (under 1 year) program in Fire Protection earn a median $35,452 one year after graduating, rising to $76,015 by year ten. Five years out, earnings run 16% below the national median of $71,068 for this field, ranking 51st 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
7.3 yrs
≈ $8,778 total interest

Same major at other universities

Temple College
$63,723 · 5 yrs out
Pikes Peak State College
$63,451 · 5 yrs out
Prairie State College
$62,949 · 5 yrs out
Victoria College
$62,224 · 5 yrs out
Red Rocks Community College
$60,515 · 5 yrs out
San Antonio College
$60,199 · 5 yrs out
South Texas College
$59,253 · 5 yrs out
Rock Valley College
$58,858 · 5 yrs out
McLennan Community College
$58,275 · 5 yrs out
Clark State College
$57,455 · 5 yrs out
Angelina College
$57,025 · 5 yrs out
Northeastern Junior College
$56,249 · 5 yrs out

Other majors at Cedar Valley College

Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician (HAC, HACR, HVAC, HVACR) (Associate)
$77,430 · 5 yrs out
Mechanic and Repair Technologies/Technicians (Associate)
$70,298 · 5 yrs out
Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians (Associate)
$64,718 · 5 yrs out
Mechanic and Repair Technologies/Technicians (Certificate)
$64,628 · 5 yrs out
Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician (HAC, HACR, HVAC, HVACR) (Certificate)
$64,628 · 5 yrs out
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Associate)
$62,590 · 5 yrs out
Business/Commerce, General (Associate)
$60,837 · 5 yrs out
Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting and Related Protective Services (Certificate)
$58,363 · 5 yrs out
Criminal Justice and Corrections (Certificate)
$58,363 · 5 yrs out
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (Associate)
$58,027 · 5 yrs out
Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting and Related Protective Services (Certificate)
$57,765 · 5 yrs out
Criminal Justice and Corrections (Certificate)
$57,556 · 5 yrs out

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