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

In Wisconsin, HVAC programs produce a wide range of outcomes, and Northwood's estimated first-year earnings of $35,749 fall notably short of what peer Wisconsin schools achieve. The state median sits at $47,892, with Western Technical College graduates earning $52,820—nearly $17,000 more than what comparable programs to Northwood suggest. That's a meaningful gap in a trade where first-year earnings typically determine your financial trajectory.

The estimated debt of $9,298 isn't crushing on its own, particularly with a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.26 that suggests manageable repayment. However, when you combine below-state-average earnings with this debt load, you're looking at a longer payback timeline than graduates from stronger Wisconsin programs face. Those graduates at Western and Chippewa Valley start with both higher earnings and lower debt (Wisconsin's state median debt is just $5,500), giving them a substantial head start.

For parents weighing this program, the question is whether Northwood offers advantages—location, schedule flexibility, specific employer connections—that justify the earnings gap. HVAC remains solid work with consistent demand, but if your child can access one of Wisconsin's higher-performing programs, the data suggests they'd be starting their career on firmer financial ground. The $17,000 annual earnings difference compounds quickly over a career.