Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician (HAC, HACR, HVAC, HVACR) at Apollo Career Center

Apollo Career Center's HVAC certificate falls right in the middle of Ohio's competitive field—peer programs in the state suggest first-year earnings around $37,000, which aligns closely with the national median. The estimated debt load of $8,725 is notably lower than both the state median ($12,965) and national median ($10,223) for this credential, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.24. That means graduates would owe roughly three months of their first year's salary, a manageable burden that should allow them to break even quickly.

The caveat here is that these figures come from similar HVAC programs across Ohio, not Apollo's actual graduate outcomes. Looking at schools with reported data, some Ohio programs place graduates $4,000 higher in first-year earnings—Butler Technology and Eastland-Fairfield both exceed $40,000. Without Apollo's actual numbers, it's unclear whether this program delivers outcomes closer to the state average or lags behind the top performers.

For parents weighing this investment, the low estimated debt is the strongest signal. Even if earnings land on the lower end of what comparable programs produce, students shouldn't face crushing monthly payments. HVAC remains steady work with clear career progression, and a certificate that doesn't require years of repayment has real value. Just know you're making this decision with educated guesses rather than Apollo's track record.