Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician (HAC, HACR, HVAC, HVACR) at Great Oaks Career Campuses

Great Oaks' HVAC program charges significantly less than most Ohio alternatives—$8,152 in debt versus the state median of nearly $13,000—but this comes with a meaningful tradeoff in earning power. Four years out, graduates earn $42,654, which sounds solid until you realize that's $5,000 below what students from Butler Technology and several other Ohio programs are making. The program ranks in just the 40th percentile among Ohio HVAC schools, meaning 60% of competing programs deliver better earnings outcomes.

The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.23 is excellent, meaning graduates carry less than three months of their first-year salary in debt. This low financial burden matters for a skilled trade where you're earning immediately. The 18% earnings growth from year one to year four also shows legitimate career progression. However, parents should recognize that paying a bit more upfront at a higher-performing Ohio program might deliver $3,000-5,000 more annually throughout their child's career—money that quickly eclipses the initial savings.

For families where minimizing debt is the top priority, Great Oaks delivers a functional HVAC credential at a budget price. But if your child can access one of the top-performing Ohio programs through their local career center, the earnings difference is substantial enough to warrant choosing the stronger program, even with slightly higher debt.