Heating & Air Conditioning at Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology

Okmulgee, OK · Public · Associate Degree · Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician (HAC, HACR, HVAC, HVACR)

a smaller institution with 2,131 students in Okmulgee, OK.

Program Analysis

At $58,336 per year, Heating & Air Conditioning graduates from Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology significantly outpace the $36,779 national average for this trade, reflecting strong employer demand for this program's graduates.

The 52.9x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. Trade programs often deliver strong ratios, and this one is a standout.

With only 11% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, the scenario spread is tight at 0%. Career paths for Heating & Air Conditioning are among the more automation-resistant trades we analyze.

The median debt load of $11,500 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios in vocational education.

Ranked #37 out of 260 programs, Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology's Heating & Air Conditioning program lands in the top 5% — a strong signal of graduate success.

With 15 registered apprenticeships mapped to Heating & Air Conditioning, graduates have substantial options for hands-on training paths that pay from day one.

62 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
62
Low End
62
Score
62
High End
Earnings $58,336/yr (59% vs median)
AI-Proof AI-Proof (89% shielded)
Job Market Large (40,100 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Year 1 Earnings
$58K
Reported median after graduation
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
52.9x
10-year earnings ÷ tuition
Viable Career Paths
1 of 1
Occupations with strong AI resilience
Program Tuition (In-State)
$11,548
Out-of-state: $22,768
Median Debt at Graduation
$11,500
2.4 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$56,689
Small cohort — data may not reflect typical outcomes

Top Career Paths

Top career paths for Heating & Air Conditioning graduates by median salary.

Career Path Median Salary Growth AI-ProofAI
Heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers $59,810 +8.1% 89%
Heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers
$59,810
+8.1% growth 89% AI-proof

About Heating & Air Conditioning Careers

Your career in HVACR begins with your hands on the tools. As an apprentice, you’ll work alongside a senior technician, learning to use pressure gauges on a residential AC unit or a multimeter to diagnose a faulty furnace circuit board in a chilly basement. Soon, you'll be driving the service van, independently tackling everything from routine maintenance to emergency repairs on commercial rooftops. This is skilled, physical work that requires you to be on-site—it can’t be automated or outsourced.

Read the full Heating & Air Conditioning career guide →

Compare & Explore

Heating & Air Conditioning Overview

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the TradeSchoolOutlook Score for Heating & Air Conditioning at Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology?
At 62/100, Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology's Heating & Air Conditioning program delivers middling returns. School cost and personal fit become important decision factors.
Will AI replace Heating & Air Conditioning jobs?
Highly resilient. Heating & Air Conditioning careers are fundamentally hands-on — they require physical presence and manual skill that AI cannot replicate. Graduates retain 1 of 1 viable career paths even under conservative assumptions.
How affordable is Heating & Air Conditioning at Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology?
Median debt of just $11,500 against $58,336/yr in starting salary means graduates can clear their loans in under 2 months. This is one of the more affordable paths in our dataset.
What makes Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology's Heating & Air Conditioning program stand out?
Ranked #37 of 260 programs nationally, Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology lands in the top 25%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.
What apprenticeship pathways exist for Heating & Air Conditioning graduates?
There are 15 registered apprenticeships connected to Heating & Air Conditioning occupations. The earn-while-you-learn model means no tuition debt and immediate income, though the training period is typically longer.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →