Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician (HAC, HACR, HVAC, HVACR) at Franklin Technology Center Adult Education

Based on comparable HVAC programs in Missouri, this certificate appears to deliver solid entry-level earnings of around $41,460 with relatively modest debt near $9,300—a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.22 that suggests manageable repayment. That earnings figure aligns with Missouri's median for HVAC training and exceeds the national median by nearly $6,000, reflecting the trade's strong regional demand. With over half of students qualifying for Pell grants, Franklin Tech serves a population for whom accessible skilled trades training can meaningfully change economic trajectories.

The estimated debt figure is notably lower than Missouri's $19,000 median for similar programs, which could reflect either shorter program length or more limited borrowing by students at this adult education center. However, it's worth recognizing that this program's outcomes are extrapolated from peer institutions—the actual graduate sample here is too small for the Department of Education to report. The top Missouri HVAC programs show first-year earnings clustering between $36,000 and $45,000, suggesting some variability in placement outcomes or local labor markets.

For parents evaluating this investment, the fundamentals look reasonable: estimated debt under $10,000 for training that peers suggest leads to $40,000+ starting salaries in a field with consistent demand. The uncertainty here isn't whether HVAC training pays off—it generally does—but whether this specific program matches the performance of the Missouri programs it's being compared against.