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

Wisconsin's HVAC programs typically produce stronger outcomes than the national average—the state median sits at $47,892, well above the national benchmark of $35,749. That makes the estimated $35,749 first-year earnings for Northeast Wisconsin Technical College's certificate program worth examining more closely. Since both the earnings and debt figures here are derived from national medians rather than actual graduate outcomes, it's unclear whether this program follows the stronger Wisconsin pattern or lags behind it.

The estimated debt of $9,298 is manageable regardless of where earnings actually land, translating to a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.26. For context, other Wisconsin technical colleges report significantly higher earnings—Western Technical College graduates average over $52,000, and Chippewa Valley graduates earn about $43,000 in their first year. If Northeast Wisconsin's actual outcomes align more closely with these Wisconsin peers than with the national estimate, the value proposition improves considerably.

The question is whether this program delivers Wisconsin-caliber results. Before committing, ask the school directly about their graduates' actual placement rates and starting wages. HVAC is a solid trade with consistent demand, but in Wisconsin's market, a $10,000-$15,000 gap in first-year earnings between programs isn't trivial—it compounds over a career and affects how quickly your child can establish financial independence.