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

For hands-on trade programs, debt matters more than anything else, and Chippewa Valley's HVAC certificate nails this part—$5,500 puts graduates in the 95th percentile nationally for low debt. That's half the national median and translates to a debt-to-earnings ratio of just 0.13. Students can realistically pay this off in months, not years. The catch? While first-year earnings of $43,000 beat 89% of HVAC programs nationally, they lag behind other Wisconsin schools. The state median sits at $47,892, and Western Technical College graduates earn nearly $53,000—about $10,000 more annually.

This gap matters for Wisconsin families choosing between in-state technical colleges. An extra $10,000 per year compounds significantly over a career, potentially offsetting any marginal differences in program cost or location convenience. That said, the small sample size (under 30 graduates) means these numbers could swing considerably year to year. The program could simply have had a cohort that took entry-level positions or worked part-time initially.

The minimal debt makes this a financially safe bet—you're not gambling much even if earnings stay at the lower end. But if maximizing earning potential is the priority, compare what Western Technical or the state's top performers offer in terms of employer connections, equipment access, and certification preparation before committing.