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

Wenatchee Valley College's HVAC program produces first-year earnings of $50,579—substantially above both the national median ($41,438) and Washington state median ($46,720) for this credential. That strong earning power combines with an estimated debt load of just $12,000 based on similar programs at the college, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.24. This means graduates would owe roughly three months of their first-year salary, a manageable burden that allows them to start building equity quickly in a field with consistent demand.

The earnings advantage here is real: this program ranks in the 83rd percentile nationally, outperforming the vast majority of associate-level HVAC programs across the country. Even within Washington state, where HVAC technicians generally earn more than the national average, Wenatchee Valley students appear to land in the upper tier. For context, the typical HVAC associate's degree nationally leaves graduates with $17,500 in debt—nearly 50% more than the estimated load here.

The estimation caveat matters, though. With too few recent graduates for the Department of Education to report actual debt figures, we're relying on the pattern from other programs at Wenatchee Valley. If this program's actual debt runs higher—closer to the state median of $17,231—the value proposition remains solid given the strong earnings, but the margin of safety narrows. Still, the combination of above-average pay and below-average estimated debt makes this program worth serious consideration for students ready to enter the skilled trades.