Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician (HAC, HACR, HVAC, HVACR) at Bates Technical College

Washington's HVAC programs typically deliver strong outcomes, with state graduates averaging nearly $49,000 in first-year earnings—but this program's estimated $35,700 appears to fall well short of that mark. Based on national peer programs, Bates graduates might earn about $13,000 less than the typical Washington HVAC technician just starting out. That's a significant gap in a state where Perry Technical Institute places graduates at nearly $58,000 and even mid-tier programs clear $40,000.

The estimated debt load of $9,300 is reasonable and below both state and national medians for HVAC programs, creating a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.26. In absolute terms, that's not crushing debt. But the real question is opportunity cost: if comparable programs in Washington are producing graduates who earn $10,000-$20,000 more annually, the savings on tuition may not offset the earnings shortfall over even just a few years in the field.

Given these estimates derive from peer programs rather than Bates' actual graduate outcomes, you'll want to contact the school directly for their placement rates and typical starting wages for recent graduates. The HVAC field generally offers solid employment prospects, but location and training quality matter considerably—and Washington's robust construction market should support stronger starting salaries than these national-average estimates suggest.