Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician (HAC, HACR, HVAC, HVACR) at Pikes Peak State College

HVAC programs in Colorado show a significant earnings spread, and Pikes Peak's estimated outcomes land in the middle of this range. Based on comparable HVAC associate degree programs nationally, graduates typically earn around $41,000 in their first year—notably higher than the $35,919 median for Colorado programs. The estimated $12,000 in debt would be substantially lower than both the state median ($19,000) and national median ($17,500), creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.29 that suggests manageable repayment.

The trades often reward workers who move quickly into the field, and HVAC technicians benefit from consistent demand for climate control services. However, these estimates come from peer programs rather than tracked outcomes from Pikes Peak specifically, which means actual results for this school's graduates remain uncertain. The positive signal here is that even at the national median earnings figure used for estimation, the debt load appears reasonable—technicians earning $41,000 could realistically manage $12,000 in loans while building their careers.

For parents weighing this investment, the key question is whether their student plans to stay in Colorado, where HVAC earnings appear lower than the national average, or might relocate to markets with stronger compensation. The estimated debt burden gives graduates flexibility either way, but the lack of school-specific data means you're making this decision somewhat blind to how effectively Pikes Peak's particular program launches careers.