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

Pennsylvania College of Technology graduates earn $51,770 their first year—over $10,000 more than the typical HVAC program nationally and significantly above Pennsylvania's median. This places the program in the 86th percentile nationally, though it's worth noting it ranks at the 60th percentile within Pennsylvania, where several programs cluster around $41,000-$42,000. Still, this program clearly outperforms most state competitors, with only Triangle Tech-Greensburg posting higher earnings among PA schools.

The debt load of $13,975 creates a favorable 0.27 debt-to-earnings ratio, meaning graduates owe roughly 3.3 months of their first-year salary. While debt sits slightly above Pennsylvania's median of $12,000 for HVAC programs, the stronger earnings more than compensate. For a technical program that leads directly to steady work, these numbers suggest graduates can manage their loans comfortably while building careers in a field with consistent demand.

For parents weighing this investment, the comparison is straightforward: their child would likely earn about $25,000 more over their first two years compared to the typical HVAC graduate nationally, while taking on below-average debt. That's a meaningful head start in a skilled trade with strong regional employment prospects.