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Santa Ana College fire technology and nursing programs offer value, affordability

January 18, 2025

As the son of a City of Orange firefighter, Ryan Thibert grew up around the fire station. But he never considered firefighting as a career – until his father suffered a cardiac arrest in 2020.

Thibert’s father made a full recovery – largely thanks to the timely medical assistance provided by paramedics from Orange County Fire Authority Station 31 – and the incident left a lasting impression on Thibert.

“I always thought the job of firefighters looked cool, but that moment when they came in and gave me extra time with my dad changed it for me,” Thibert said. “I wanted to make that difference for someone else.”

Thibert graduated from Santa Ana College’s Fire Academy Class 182 in 2022. (His dad was a graduate of Class 72.) He chose SAC because of its outstanding reputation and high standards.

“The more I learned about it and all the preparatory work just to get into the academy, it seemed like the right choice. They have such a high standard, and it’s the best place to prepare you to be a firefighter in Orange County.”

Exceptional value

Thibert is one of thousands of Orange County students who are passing up traditional four-year universities and private colleges to earn certificates and degrees at Santa Ana College. SAC’s acclaimed fire technology and registered nursing programs are two of its most popular tracks.

And with good reason: the exceptional value.

Thibert graduated with a Firefighter 1 certificate in 2022 and now works as a firefighter for the City of Brea, where he earned more than $100,000 in his first year. The program cost? About $5,200.

“It’s a little bit of an investment but compared to going to a four-year college and taking out a loan, it’s been life-changing,” Thibert said.

A 2024 report conducted by research and consulting agency HEA Group measured the return on investment across all higher education institutions in California, ranking Santa Ana College 12th out of 292 for cost-to-earnings among low- to moderate-income students.

“Santa Ana College, as the fastest growing community college in the state, provides affordable access for a diverse community of learners to achieve their educational goals, whether that be transfer to a four-year university or career-based certificates,” said Vice President of Academic Affairs Jeffrey Lamb.

There are accolades to back that up: For the second consecutive year, the college was named among the Top 100 community colleges in California by Intelligent.com for its academic quality, graduation rate, cost and student resources.

Storied fire tech program

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SAC’s Fire Technology program serves more than 12,000 students annually, offering 88 different fire technology courses over five program areas: Fire Technology Core, Fire Academy, Fire Service Agreements, Fire Officer Training and Wellness Program. Students can choose from four academic certificates, four associate degrees and 42 accredited regional training programs.

Established in 1967, the 16-week SAC Fire Academy is one of the oldest and largest in the state, graduating 186 academies since its inception.

Thibert praises the academy for exposing him to “everything you’re going to see in this job” including defending structures, rendering medical aid and wildland training. Students even learn how to prepare for job interviews.
Graduates are employed throughout Southern California and other western states, said William Reardon, associate dean of fire technology. He also noted that many of SAC’s instructors are academy alums, including Fire Academy Commander Tim Butler, a retired battalion chief from Anaheim Fire.

“There’s a specific vetting process and a specific type of person that they want teaching these kids to become firefighters,” Thibert said, “and Tim Butler has done a great job with that.”

SAC nurses stand out

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Across campus, the Registered Nursing Program is earning accolades, as well, providing exceptional outcomes in career placement and earnings among its graduates. The accredited program has four 16-week semesters that include theory courses and clinical training in a hospital setting.

Graduating students receive an associate degree and are eligible to take the nursing licensing exam. Job placement percentage rates are high: In Spring 2023, 94.6% of graduates were employed in nursing professions.
What makes the program stand out? Faculty members point to affordability, smaller class sizes, and more clinical hours than other schools.

“Our students are competent when they come out; they’re ready to practice,” said Mary Steckler, associate dean of health sciences and director of nursing at Santa Ana College.

Instructor Maria Davia, a 2009 graduate of the program, agreed.

“We can teach them how to do skills, we can teach them about labs, we can teach them about vital signs,” she said. “But when they’re in the hospital setting, in clinical, they get to prepare themselves for that mental aspect. And as clinical instructors, we’re there to support them through that.”

Nursing grads also earn a livable wage; according to a 2024 report, students who graduate from SAC earn more than $90,000 annually five years after graduation.

The program cost? Under $6,000.

And employers love SAC nurses.

“We have a great reputation in the community,” said instructor Louise Jones, a 2007 SAC grad. “We have a beautiful new health sciences building that’s top-of-the-line technology. That, along with the human aspect of what we have at Santa Ana College, gives the students a lot of resources and opportunities.”

For more information on Fire Technology and Nursing Programs at Santa Ana College click here. To learn more about Santa Ana College, please visit www.sac.edu.

Santa Ana College fire technology and nursing programs offer value, affordability Orange County Register

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Santa Ana College fire technology and nursing programs offer value, affordability

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