Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician (HAC, HACR, HVAC, HVACR) at North Arkansas College

Based on comparable HVAC programs nationwide, this certificate produces estimated first-year earnings around $36,000—right at the national median for this field. The estimated debt load of $9,300 is actually below the typical $10,200 for similar programs, giving you a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.26. That's manageable: graduates would owe roughly three months of their first year's salary, which suggests they could pay down this debt relatively quickly.

The challenge is that HVAC is a field where earnings are fairly consistent regardless of where you train. With 18 schools offering this credential in Arkansas alone, your child isn't paying a premium for unique access or likely to command a wage advantage based on this particular certificate. The trades reward licensing and hands-on experience more than the name on the diploma. What matters more is whether North Arkansas College provides adequate equipment access, local employer connections, and preparation for EPA certification—details that aren't captured in these peer-program estimates.

The practical bottom line: if the program offers strong placement support and your child can complete it without taking on significantly more debt than projected, the numbers work. But verify the actual completion timeline and any additional costs for tools or certifications, since those can change the calculation quickly.