Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician (HAC, HACR, HVAC, HVACR) at Gateway Community and Technical College
Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma
gateway.kctcs.edu/index.aspxAnalysis
In Kentucky's HVAC training landscape, Gateway sits in the middle of the pack with estimated first-year earnings around $41,374—based on the state median from seven comparable programs. That's roughly $5,600 above the national median for HVAC certificates, though a few Kentucky programs like Southcentral Kentucky and Owensboro Community and Technical College show their graduates earning $3,000-$5,000 more right out of the gate. The $8,799 in typical debt is manageable for a skilled trade credential, though it ranks higher than most programs nationally, meaning students here are borrowing more than peers elsewhere.
The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.21 means graduates would need roughly three months of gross income to cover their educational debt—a reasonable proposition for entering a field with steady demand. Similar Kentucky HVAC programs suggest earnings that can support this debt load without excessive strain, particularly as HVAC technicians typically see wage growth with certifications and experience.
Gateway's program appears serviceable but not exceptional. If your child can access one of the higher-earning Kentucky programs without additional cost or commute burden, that might be worth exploring. Otherwise, this represents a fairly conventional path into the trades: modest debt for modest but stable starting pay in a field where the real earning potential develops over time.
Where Gateway Community and Technical College Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all heating, air conditioning, ventilation and refrigeration maintenance technology/technician (hac, hacr, hvac, hvacr) certificate's programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs in Kentucky
Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician (HAC, HACR, HVAC, HVACR) certificate's programs at peer institutions in Kentucky (15 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Gateway Community and Technical CollegeFlorence | $4,656 | $41,374* | — | $8,799 | — |
 Southcentral Kentucky Community and Technical CollegeBowling Green | $4,656 | $46,451* | — | — | — |
 Owensboro Community and Technical CollegeOwensboro | $4,656 | $44,899* | — | — | — |
 Bluegrass Community and Technical CollegeLexington | $4,706 | $41,731* | — | $8,250 | 0.20 |
 Interactive College of Technology-NewportNewport | $10,970 | $41,374* | $43,851 | $11,106 | 0.27 |
 Maysville Community and Technical CollegeMaysville | $4,656 | $39,622* | — | $6,760 | 0.17 |
| National Median | — | $35,749* | — | $10,223 | 0.29 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with heating, air conditioning, ventilation and refrigeration maintenance technology/technician (hac, hacr, hvac, hvacr) graduates
About This Data
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)
Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Gateway Community and Technical College, approximately 29% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.
Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.
Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.
Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the median of 7 similar programs in KY. Actual outcomes may vary.