Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician (HAC, HACR, HVAC, HVACR) at Salt Lake Community College

HVAC programs across Utah typically launch graduates into earnings around $37,000, though Salt Lake Community College's certificate is built around estimates from peer programs since their graduate cohort is too small for the Department of Education to publish actual outcomes. The estimated $35,749 first-year figure sits slightly below Utah's state median of $37,139, while the projected $9,298 in debt comes in notably lower than the state's typical $13,000—a meaningful difference for a short-term credential program.

That debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.26 suggests manageable repayment, translating to roughly three months of gross income to cover the entire certificate cost. For a trade credential designed to get students working quickly, this math works in favor of affordability. However, the earnings estimate also hints at a ceiling: even programs at the 75th percentile nationally only reach about $40,000, meaning early career growth may be incremental rather than dramatic. Success in HVAC typically comes from gaining licensure, building a client base, or eventually starting your own business—factors that can't be captured in first-year salary data.

Given that both the earnings and debt figures are drawn from comparable programs rather than this school's actual outcomes, treat this as a reasonable baseline rather than a guarantee. The trades remain a reliable path for hands-on learners, and the estimated debt load here is light enough that even if earnings land on the lower end, repayment shouldn't derail your child's financial start.