Electrical and Power Transmission Installers at HVAC Technical Institute

The modest $32,208 starting salary from HVAC Technical Institute's electrical installation certificate falls short of what you'd typically see in this field—it trails both the Illinois median ($34,980) and national average ($38,716) by roughly $3,000-$6,500. Before panicking about the 28th percentile national ranking, note the critical caveat: this program graduated fewer than 30 students, making these numbers potentially unreliable. Still, the 40th percentile state ranking suggests this program consistently underperforms compared to Illinois peers, and that comparison matters more since most students stay local for trade work.

The silver lining is the reasonable $6,861 debt load, which your child could feasibly pay off within a year or two on an electrician's salary. That's less than either the state or national median debt for this credential. The 0.21 debt-to-earnings ratio means manageable loan payments, though the lower-than-expected earnings still create a slower path to financial independence than stronger programs.

The real question is whether the lower upfront cost justifies the earning gap. City Colleges of Chicago's Kennedy-King program produces graduates earning over $140,000—admittedly an outlier—but even Lincoln Tech's Melrose Park campus delivers $35,880, a 12% premium over HVAC Tech. Unless there's a compelling reason like location convenience or specialized hands-on training, your child might build a stronger financial foundation starting at a program with a better track record, even if it costs slightly more.