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Upper Valley Career Center
Piqua, Ohio · Public technical college
Address: 8811 Career Drive, Piqua, OH 45356 · Phone: (937) 778-1980 · School website ↗ · Verify on College Scorecard ↗
No accreditor sanctions in the last 36 months
Upper Valley Career Center is a public trade school in Piqua, OH offering HVAC, CNC & machining, and welding programs, accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges.
Upper Valley Career Center has a 77.8% completion rate, above Ohio's 68.8% average, with median graduate debt of $8,793 and median earnings of $52,170 ten years after entry, per the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Annual cost of attendance at Upper Valley Career Center is $24,812, federal financial aid including Pell Grants can be used, and 54.7% of students receive Pell Grants.
What these trades pay once you're working
| Occupation | Starting (10th pct) | Median | Experienced (75th) |
|---|---|---|---|
| HVAC and refrigeration mechanics and installers | $38,630 | $62,510 | $78,190 |
| Machinists | $38,070 | $57,940 | $64,050 |
| Welders, cutters, solderers and brazers | $38,990 | $50,340 | $59,510 |
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics wages for everyone employed in the occupation in Ohio (May 2025; national where the state figure is not published). The program table below shows what this campus's own graduates earned in their first year, whatever job they took.
Trade programs at this campus
| Program | Credential | Grads / yr | Earnings, yr 1 | Earnings, yr 2 | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician (HAC, HACR, HVAC, HVACR) | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 6 | not reported | $33,565 | not reported |
| Precision Metal Working | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 4 | not reported | $38,289 | not reported |
| Precision Metal Working | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 1 | not reported | $38,289 | not reported |
Earnings are median wages and self-employment income reported to the IRS (W-2 and Schedule SE) for graduates who received federal aid and were working and not enrolled, measured in the calendar year after finishing. They are pay only: health insurance, retirement contributions and other benefits are not included.
Graduates per year from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) 2022-23 Completions survey. Earnings and debt are College Scorecard field-of-study medians for graduates of this program at this campus (reported at the 4-digit program level, so closely related programs share a figure); "not reported" means too few graduates were counted to publish a figure.
About this school
Upper Valley Career Center is a public trade and career school in Piqua, Ohio, accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges. Because it participates in Title IV programs, students here can use federal financial aid such as FAFSA and Pell Grants. The campus's most-awarded programs are HVAC schools, CNC & machining programs, and welding schools, reflecting its focus on hands-on technical trades.
Federal data show a completion rate of 77.8%, which is above the Ohio state average of 68.8%. Graduates carry a median debt of $8,793, and median earnings ten years after entry are $52,170. The annual cost of attendance is $24,812, and 54.7% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating a substantial share of students from lower-income backgrounds. Enrollment stands at 131 undergraduates, with 11 trade completers reported.
This campus, located in a fringe rural setting, may suit those seeking shorter, hands-on trade programs rather than multi-year associate degrees, though specific program lengths are not reported for this campus in federal data. Adult career-changers considering enrollment should verify current program offerings, schedules, and costs directly with the school, and can confirm accreditation status and outcomes through the College Scorecard or the accrediting body listed above. Any figures not mentioned here are not reported for this campus in federal data.
Questions students ask
What trade and career programs does this campus offer?
Upper Valley Career Center's top programs are HVAC schools, CNC & machining programs, and welding schools, across three program families.
Is this school accredited, and by whom?
Yes, it is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges, with a status of Accredited.
Can I use federal financial aid (FAFSA, Pell Grants) at this school?
Yes, this school participates in Title IV programs, so federal financial aid including FAFSA and Pell Grants can be used.
What share of students finish their program here, and how does that compare to the state?
The completion rate is 77.8%, which is above the Ohio state average of 68.8%.
How much debt do graduates of this school typically carry?
Median debt for graduates is $8,793.
What do graduates of this school earn?
Median earnings ten years after entry are $52,170.
How much does it cost to attend for a year?
The annual cost of attendance is $24,812.
Is this a public, non-profit, or for-profit school, and why does that matter?
This is a public school, which can affect tuition rates, funding sources, and eligibility for certain state or federal aid programs.
How long do the programs here take to complete?
Program lengths are not reported for this campus in federal data; contact the school at (937) 778-1980 or visit its website for details.
How do I verify this school's accreditation and outcomes myself?
You can verify accreditation through the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges and review outcome data on the College Scorecard at https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?206321.
Is this school a good fit for an adult changing careers?
The school's hands-on trade programs in HVAC, CNC & machining, and welding may suit adult career-changers, though specific scheduling or format details for adult learners are not reported in federal data; contact the school to confirm.
What license or certification will I need after finishing a program here?
Licensing or certification requirements are not reported for this campus in federal data; contact the school directly at (937) 778-1980 for program-specific requirements.
How do I contact the school or apply?
You can reach Upper Valley Career Center at (937) 778-1980 or through its website at https://www.uppervalleycc.org/o/adult-division.
How does this campus compare with other schools offering the same trade nearby?
Comparative data with other nearby schools is not reported for this campus in federal data; consult the College Scorecard at https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?206321 to compare schools directly.
Data: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) 2022-23 Completions survey; College Scorecard June 2026; Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs (DAPIP), September 2026. Figures are the U.S. Department of Education's official measures, not Career Training Path's opinion. Tuition, schedules and program availability change — confirm with the school before enrolling.