Fire Science/Fire-fighting at Western Technical College in La Crosse, WI

Security & Protective Services ASSOCIATE CIP 43.0203

Total Graduates

Class of 2025

Male Graduates

81%

13 of 16

Female Graduates

19%

3 of 16

Annual Tuition & Fees

$4,820

In-state, incl. fees

How to read these numbers

Total Graduates counts the students who completed the Fire Science/Fire-fighting. credential during the 2025 academic year, not those currently enrolled or applied. Programs of this size can be excellent — often with closer faculty contact — but the small cohort means year-over-year completion counts can swing significantly. The gender split is based on completers in this single award year and can shift meaningfully year to year — especially in smaller cohorts — so read the percentages as a recent snapshot rather than a fixed property of the program. The $4,820 figure is the published annual tuition and required fees — what the school officially charges before financial aid. Most students pay less once federal Pell grants, state aid, and institutional scholarships are applied, so treat this as a starting point rather than an expected out-of-pocket cost. Because every accredited college reports the same fields to IPEDS each year, you can compare Western Technical College's figures against similar programs at other schools on a like-for-like basis.

Program Overview

Program Details

Program Name Fire Science/Fire-fighting.

Degree Level ASSOCIATE

CIP Code 43.0203

Program Family Security & Protective Services

Recent Outcomes

Total Completions 16 graduates

Award Year 2025

Gender Distribution 81% male, 19% female

Verified Program Outcomes

Completion and employment results reported to the U.S. Department of Labor for Western Technical College programs on the state Eligible Training Provider List. Missing values ("—") mean the state suppressed or did not report that metric — they never mean zero.

Program	Completion rate	Employed 6 mo after exit	Employed 1 yr after exit	Median quarterly earnings
Fire Protection Technician	58%	77%	48%	$8,810

In the Fire Protection Technician program at Western Technical College, 77% of students were employed within 6 months of exit, and 58% completed the program, and median earnings in the second quarter after exit were $8,810 (U.S. Department of Labor, PY 2023).

Source: U.S. Department of Labor, WIOA participant outcomes (trainingproviderresults.gov), PY 2023.

Career Outcomes for Graduates

Primary Career Path

🎯

Firefighters

Average Starting Salary

$59,280

10-Year Job Growth

+3.4%

Career Readiness Score

70/100

100% Program Match

Related Career Paths

Career Title	Starting Salary	Growth Rate	Skill Match	Mapping
Firefighters SOC: 33-2011	$47,424	+3.4%	75%	primary100% confidence
Fire Inspectors and Investigators SOC: 33-2021	$60,736	+3.8%	75%	primary100% confidence
First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers SOC: 33-1021	$74,824	+3.4%	75%	primary100% confidence
Forest Fire Inspectors and Prevention Specialists SOC: 33-2022	$45,496	+14.6%	75%	primary100% confidence

Salary Progression

Starting Salary

$44,460

Peak Salary

$74,100

Total Growth

+67%

Skills You'll Gain

✓ Skills Covered in Program (8)

● Critical Thinking

● Coordination

● Judgment and Decision Making

● Service Orientation

● Active Listening

● Monitoring

● Speaking

● Active Learning

ℹ Career Preparation

This program covers the essential skills needed for your target career.

Career Readiness Assessment

Technical Skills Alignment

75%

Education Level Match

85%

Note: Career outcomes and salary data are based on national averages and industry projections. Actual results may vary based on location, experience, and individual circumstances.

Want to learn more about working as a Firefighters — day-to-day work, job outlook, and salary details?

Institution

School Name Western Technical College

Location La Crosse, WI

Cost Information

In-State Tuition and Fees $4,820

Out-of-State Tuition and Fees $7,078

Average Net Price $10,037

Take Action

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Program Information

CIP Code: 43.0203

CIP Family: 43

IPEDS ID: