Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician (HAC, HACR, HVAC, HVACR) at Stautzenberger College-Rockford Career College

Stautzenberger College's HVAC program sits at the 60th percentile for Illinois earnings, making it a middle-of-the-road option in a state with substantial variation. Graduates earn $33,403 after one year—matching the Illinois median but falling about $2,300 below the national average. That gap matters in practical terms, especially when you see that specialized schools like HVAC Technical Institute and ETI get their graduates to nearly $40,000-$42,000 right out of the gate. Still, this program's real advantage is its debt profile: at $13,730, it's in the 5th percentile nationally, meaning 95% of similar programs saddle students with more debt.

That low debt creates a manageable 0.41 debt-to-earnings ratio—graduates would need to put roughly five months of their first year's income toward loans. Given that 72% of students receive Pell grants, this affordability matters considerably. The tradeoff is clear: you're not getting top-tier Illinois HVAC earnings, but you're also not taking on the debt that often comes with technical training.

For families prioritizing minimal debt over maximum earning potential, this works. But if your child is capable of getting into HVAC Technical Institute or ETI, the extra $8,000-$10,000 in annual earnings would quickly offset any additional borrowing costs. The program delivers competent training at a fair price—just not exceptional results.