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

In Ohio's competitive HVAC training market, this program's estimated debt load of $8,725 looks particularly manageable—roughly $4,000 below the state median for similar programs and nearly $1,500 less than the national benchmark. With a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.24 based on comparable Ohio programs, graduates would theoretically owe less than three months of their first-year salary, a relatively light burden for a skilled trades credential.

The estimated first-year earnings of $36,981 align closely with both state and national medians for HVAC programs, suggesting typical outcomes for the field. However, several Ohio schools report actual outcomes above $40,000, indicating there's meaningful variation in how programs translate into earnings—whether through employer connections, additional certifications, or curriculum differences that we can't assess from estimated data alone.

For parents evaluating this investment, the modest estimated debt is the clearest advantage here. The real question is whether Buckeye Hills' specific training, equipment, and industry partnerships will position graduates toward the higher end of Ohio's HVAC earnings range—something you'll need to investigate directly with the school's placement office and recent graduates.