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

A debt load of $12,000 for an HVAC associate's degree creates a manageable starting point, though both earnings and debt figures here come from national patterns rather than Moraine Park's actual graduate outcomes. The estimated first-year earnings of $41,438 land right at the national median for HVAC programs, suggesting middle-of-the-pack performance—but without reported data from this specific program or comparable Wisconsin schools, it's difficult to know whether Moraine Park's graduates fare better or worse than peers.

The 0.29 debt-to-earnings ratio indicates borrowers would owe roughly 29% of their first-year income, which typically allows for comfortable repayment in a field with steady demand. HVAC technicians benefit from consistent work in residential and commercial settings, and Wisconsin's climate ensures year-round need for heating and cooling expertise. The modest debt estimate—well below the national median of $17,500 for HVAC programs—suggests reasonable borrowing even if actual costs vary.

For parents evaluating this investment, the key limitation is uncertainty: with no reported outcomes from Moraine Park or other Wisconsin HVAC programs to compare against, you're relying on national averages that may not reflect local labor markets or this school's specific job placement success. Request completion rates, employer partnerships, and job placement data directly from the college to fill in gaps the federal data can't provide. The fundamentals look solid, but actual outcomes matter more than estimates.