Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician (HAC, HACR, HVAC, HVACR): is this undergraduate certificate or diploma worth it?
National picture across 261 reporting college programs.
Personal baseline needed
$46,867 in median year-4 earnings
A credible return for this credential must start with what the student would otherwise earn. The federal data does not provide that personal baseline.
$46,867Median year-4 earnings
$17,405Average institution net-price context
$9,500Median federal debt
Observed national outcomes
$46,867Median reported earnings · year 4
$45,650Average reported earnings · year 5
$9,500Median federal debt
42thYear-4 earnings percentile at this credential
261Reporting programs
257With year-4 earnings
The same field can produce a different equation.
Keep the federal field fixed and compare observed outcomes at every reportable credential level. These are separate graduate cohorts—not a promise that more schooling causes the difference.
Where the middle half of programs lands
Year‑4 earnings differ by college. This band shows the 25th percentile, national median and 75th percentile among reporting programs.
Median
25th percentile$42,084National median$46,86775th percentile$54,103
257 programs report year‑4 earnings.See the spread, not just the national number.
1Perry Technical Institute$83,2302Hennepin Technical College$80,0393Manatee Technical College$70,8534Northern Virginia Community College$70,7265Century College$70,6136Southwestern Illinois College$69,8937Northwood Technical College$69,7878Capstone College$67,5969St Cloud Technical and Community College$67,30710Illinois Central College$66,318Observed year-4 earnings · top displayed records are not a universal ranking
Related occupations
Official CIP–SOC links add career context without claiming that every graduate enters the same job.
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and InstallersSOC 49-9021 · 1 crosswalk links
Same degree, different outcomes
Compare reported outcomes using the same federal field and credential. Automated ROI is withheld when an exact program price or personal earnings baseline is required.
| # | College | Location | Earnings, year 4 | Federal debt | ROI status | Cost context |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Perry Technical InstituteUndergraduate Certificate or Diploma | Yakima, WA | $83,230 | $17,146 | Baseline needed | $20,047 |
| 2 | Hennepin Technical CollegeUndergraduate Certificate or Diploma | Brooklyn Park, MN | $80,039 | Not available | Baseline needed | $10,272 |
| 3 | Manatee Technical CollegeUndergraduate Certificate or Diploma | Bradenton, FL | $70,853 | Not available | Baseline needed | $1,808 |
| 4 | Northern Virginia Community CollegeUndergraduate Certificate or Diploma | Annandale, VA | $70,726 | Not available | Baseline needed | $9,919 |
| 5 | Century CollegeUndergraduate Certificate or Diploma | White Bear Lake, MN | $70,613 | $13,000 | Baseline needed | $10,906 |
| 6 | Southwestern Illinois CollegeUndergraduate Certificate or Diploma | Belleville, IL | $69,893 | Not available | Baseline needed | $10,427 |
| 7 | Northwood Technical CollegeUndergraduate Certificate or Diploma | Rice Lake, WI | $69,787 | Not available | Baseline needed | $8,989 |
| 8 | Capstone CollegeUndergraduate Certificate or Diploma | Pasadena, CA | $67,596 | $9,500 | Baseline needed | $16,012 |
| 9 | St Cloud Technical and Community CollegeUndergraduate Certificate or Diploma | Saint Cloud, MN | $67,307 | $10,394 | Baseline needed | $9,635 |
| 10 | Illinois Central CollegeUndergraduate Certificate or Diploma | East Peoria, IL | $66,318 | Not available | Baseline needed | $12,961 |
| 11 | Dakota County Technical CollegeUndergraduate Certificate or Diploma | Rosemount, MN | $65,334 | Not available | Baseline needed | $13,548 |
| 12 | Chippewa Valley Technical CollegeUndergraduate Certificate or Diploma | Eau Claire, WI | $65,275 | $5,500 | Baseline needed | $12,285 |
| 13 | Fort Myers Technical CollegeUndergraduate Certificate or Diploma | Fort Myers, FL | $64,719 | Not available | Baseline needed | Not available |
| 14 | Motoring Technical Training InstituteUndergraduate Certificate or Diploma | Seekonk, MA | $64,367 | $9,500 | Baseline needed | $20,255 |
| 15 | Minnesota State Community and Technical CollegeUndergraduate Certificate or Diploma | Fergus Falls, MN | $63,894 | $7,500 | Baseline needed | $12,556 |
| 16 | Eastwick College-NutleyUndergraduate Certificate or Diploma | Nutley, NJ | $63,886 | $10,703 | Baseline needed | $17,206 |
| 17 | DeHart Technical SchoolUndergraduate Certificate or Diploma | Modesto, CA | $63,650 | $8,950 | Baseline needed | $27,477 |
| 18 | Wake Technical Community CollegeUndergraduate Certificate or Diploma | Raleigh, NC | $62,956 | Not available | Baseline needed | $8,759 |
| 19 | Rowan-Cabarrus Community CollegeUndergraduate Certificate or Diploma | Salisbury, NC | $62,881 | Not available | Baseline needed | $7,981 |
| 20 | Spartan College of Aeronautics and TechnologyUndergraduate Certificate or Diploma | Broomfield, CO | $62,482 | Not available | Baseline needed | $30,065 |
| 21 | Western Technical CollegeUndergraduate Certificate or Diploma | La Crosse, WI | $62,205 | Not available | Baseline needed | $11,008 |
| 22 | Refrigeration School IncUndergraduate Certificate or Diploma | Phoenix, AZ | $62,122 | $8,835 | Baseline needed | $27,025 |
| 23 | Northeast Technical InstituteUndergraduate Certificate or Diploma | Scarborough, ME | $61,455 | $8,550 | Baseline needed | $26,546 |
| 24 | Midlands Technical CollegeUndergraduate Certificate or Diploma | West Columbia, SC | $60,853 | Not available | Baseline needed | $4,647 |
| 25 | Northwest HVAC/R Training CenterUndergraduate Certificate or Diploma | Spokane, WA | $60,752 | $9,500 | Baseline needed | $15,590 |
| 26 | YTI Career Institute-YorkUndergraduate Certificate or Diploma | York, PA | $60,748 | $9,212 | Baseline needed | $14,637 |
| 27 | Pinnacle Career InstituteUndergraduate Certificate or Diploma | Kansas City, MO | $60,603 | Not available | Baseline needed | $28,732 |
| 28 | Porter & Chester InstituteUndergraduate Certificate or Diploma | Bridgeport, CT | $60,224 | $14,120 | Baseline needed | $18,348 |
| 29 | New England Tractor Trailer Training School of Rhode IslandUndergraduate Certificate or Diploma | Pawtucket, RI | $60,203 | $13,437 | Baseline needed | $15,866 |
| 30 | New England Tractor Trailer Training School of MassachusettsUndergraduate Certificate or Diploma | North Andover, MA | $60,203 | $13,437 | Baseline needed | $16,164 |
| 31 | Lanier Technical CollegeUndergraduate Certificate or Diploma | Gainesville, GA | $59,639 | Not available | Baseline needed | $7,799 |
| 32 | Chattahoochee Technical CollegeUndergraduate Certificate or Diploma | Marietta, GA | $59,617 | Not available | Baseline needed | $3,407 |
| 33 | Advanced Training InstituteUndergraduate Certificate or Diploma | Las Vegas, NV | $59,213 | $8,867 | Baseline needed | Not available |
| 34 | Brownson Technical SchoolUndergraduate Certificate or Diploma | Anaheim, CA | $59,132 | Not available | Baseline needed | $30,513 |
| 35 | Georgia Piedmont Technical CollegeUndergraduate Certificate or Diploma | Clarkston, GA | $58,854 | Not available | Baseline needed | $13,761 |
| 36 | American Trade SchoolUndergraduate Certificate or Diploma | Saint Ann, MO | $58,836 | $19,000 | Baseline needed | $17,618 |
| 37 | Charter CollegeUndergraduate Certificate or Diploma | Anchorage, AK | $57,910 | $14,750 | Baseline needed | $34,860 |
| 38 | Institute for Business and TechnologyUndergraduate Certificate or Diploma | San Jose, CA | $57,714 | $9,316 | Baseline needed | $27,207 |
| 39 | National Career EducationUndergraduate Certificate or Diploma | Citrus Heights, CA | $57,714 | $9,316 | Baseline needed | $25,380 |
| 40 | Lamson InstituteUndergraduate Certificate or Diploma | San Antonio, TX | $57,714 | $9,316 | Baseline needed | $26,587 |
| 41 | ETI School of Skilled TradesUndergraduate Certificate or Diploma | Willowbrook, IL | $57,074 | $9,500 | Baseline needed | $22,126 |
| 42 | Orleans Technical CollegeUndergraduate Certificate or Diploma | Philadelphia, PA | $56,529 | $7,521 | Baseline needed | $20,113 |
| 43 | Ivy Tech Community CollegeUndergraduate Certificate or Diploma | Indianapolis, IN | $56,064 | $5,940 | Baseline needed | $7,258 |
| 44 | Brightpoint Community CollegeUndergraduate Certificate or Diploma | Chester, VA | $56,038 | Not available | Baseline needed | $5,490 |
| 45 | Georgia Northwestern Technical CollegeUndergraduate Certificate or Diploma | Rome, GA | $56,029 | Not available | Baseline needed | $5,720 |
| 46 | York Technical CollegeUndergraduate Certificate or Diploma | Rock Hill, SC | $56,027 | Not available | Baseline needed | $5,931 |
| 47 | San Joaquin Valley College-VisaliaUndergraduate Certificate or Diploma | Visalia, CA | $55,594 | $13,000 | Baseline needed | $27,854 |
| 48 | San Joaquin Valley College-BakersfieldUndergraduate Certificate or Diploma | Bakersfield, CA | $55,594 | $13,000 | Baseline needed | $23,351 |
| 49 | San Joaquin Valley College-Trades Education CenterUndergraduate Certificate or Diploma | Fresno, CA | $55,594 | $13,000 | Baseline needed | $27,887 |
| 50 | San Joaquin Valley College-OntarioUndergraduate Certificate or Diploma | Ontario, CA | $55,594 | $13,000 | Baseline needed | $27,024 |
| 51 | San Joaquin Valley College-HesperiaUndergraduate Certificate or Diploma | Hesperia, CA | $55,594 | $13,000 | Baseline needed | $25,496 |
| 52 | San Joaquin Valley College-TemeculaUndergraduate Certificate or Diploma | Temecula, CA | $55,594 | $13,000 | Baseline needed | $25,869 |
| 53 | San Joaquin Valley College-LancasterUndergraduate Certificate or Diploma | Lancaster, CA | $55,594 | $13,000 | Baseline needed | $26,717 |
| 54 | San Joaquin Valley College-Rancho MirageUndergraduate Certificate or Diploma | Rancho Mirage, CA | $55,594 | $13,000 | Baseline needed | $28,158 |
| 55 | Erie Community CollegeUndergraduate Certificate or Diploma | Buffalo, NY | $55,395 | $6,500 | Baseline needed | $7,765 |
| 56 | Porter & Chester Institute of HamdenUndergraduate Certificate or Diploma | Hamden, CT | $55,385 | $14,120 | Baseline needed | $20,549 |
| 57 | Greenville Technical CollegeUndergraduate Certificate or Diploma | Greenville, SC | $55,189 | $12,546 | Baseline needed | $11,713 |
| 58 | Tennessee College of Applied Technology NorthwestUndergraduate Certificate or Diploma | Newbern, TN | $55,150 | Not available | Baseline needed | $9,698 |
| 59 | Chattanooga State Community CollegeUndergraduate Certificate or Diploma | Chattanooga, TN | $54,846 | $5,500 | Baseline needed | $5,283 |
| 60 | Butler Technology and Career Development SchoolsUndergraduate Certificate or Diploma | Monroe, OH | $54,800 | $6,840 | Baseline needed | Not available |
| 61 | Robeson Community CollegeUndergraduate Certificate or Diploma | Lumberton, NC | $54,627 | Not available | Baseline needed | $2,892 |
| 62 | San Jacinto Community CollegeUndergraduate Certificate or Diploma | Pasadena, TX | $54,160 | Not available | Baseline needed | $12,143 |
| 63 | Industrial Management Training InstituteUndergraduate Certificate or Diploma | Waterbury, CT | $54,103 | $9,500 | Baseline needed | $42,758 |
| 64 | Horry-Georgetown Technical CollegeUndergraduate Certificate or Diploma | Conway, SC | $54,062 | $9,500 | Baseline needed | $4,159 |
| 65 | Onondaga Cortland Madison BOCESUndergraduate Certificate or Diploma | Liverpool, NY | $53,726 | $7,422 | Baseline needed | $19,002 |
| 66 | Tennessee College of Applied Technology-KnoxvilleUndergraduate Certificate or Diploma | Knoxville, TN | $53,417 | Not available | Baseline needed | $20,012 |
| 67 | Springfield Technical Community CollegeUndergraduate Certificate or Diploma | Springfield, MA | $53,391 | Not available | Baseline needed | $5,662 |
| 68 | Institute of TechnologyUndergraduate Certificate or Diploma | Clovis, CA | $52,951 | $9,500 | Baseline needed | $23,159 |
| 69 | Maysville Community and Technical CollegeUndergraduate Certificate or Diploma | Maysville, KY | $52,806 | $6,760 | Baseline needed | $4,605 |
| 70 | InterCoast Colleges-RiversideUndergraduate Certificate or Diploma | Riverside, CA | $52,718 | $9,500 | Baseline needed | $21,641 |
| 71 | InterCoast Colleges-West CovinaUndergraduate Certificate or Diploma | West Covina, CA | $52,718 | $9,500 | Baseline needed | $27,536 |
| 72 | InterCoast Colleges-Rancho CordovaUndergraduate Certificate or Diploma | Rancho Cordova, CA | $52,718 | $9,500 | Baseline needed | $24,925 |
| 73 | InterCoast Colleges-FairfieldUndergraduate Certificate or Diploma | Fairfield, CA | $52,718 | $9,500 | Baseline needed | $21,536 |
| 74 | Delgado Community CollegeUndergraduate Certificate or Diploma | New Orleans, LA | $52,614 | $18,250 | Baseline needed | $9,747 |
| 75 | Pennco Tech-BristolUndergraduate Certificate or Diploma | Bristol, PA | $52,475 | $13,000 | Baseline needed | $19,197 |
| 76 | Pennco Tech-BlackwoodUndergraduate Certificate or Diploma | Blackwood, NJ | $52,427 | $12,968 | Baseline needed | $22,671 |
| 77 | Tennessee College of Applied Technology-DicksonUndergraduate Certificate or Diploma | Dickson, TN | $52,375 | Not available | Baseline needed | $14,780 |
| 78 | Universal Technical Institute-CantonUndergraduate Certificate or Diploma | Canton, MI | $52,372 | $12,225 | Baseline needed | $22,985 |
| 79 | Kiamichi Technology Center-McAlesterUndergraduate Certificate or Diploma | McAlester, OK | $52,269 | Not available | Baseline needed | $6,569 |
| 80 | Tennessee College of Applied Technology NashvilleUndergraduate Certificate or Diploma | Nashville, TN | $51,996 | Not available | Baseline needed | $15,816 |
| 81 | Interactive College of Technology-ChambleeUndergraduate Certificate or Diploma | Chamblee, GA | $51,841 | $11,106 | Baseline needed | $15,506 |
| 82 | Interactive College of Technology-NewportUndergraduate Certificate or Diploma | Newport, KY | $51,841 | $11,106 | Baseline needed | $16,512 |
| 83 | Miller-Motte College-Arizona Automotive InstituteUndergraduate Certificate or Diploma | Glendale, AZ | $51,837 | $12,139 | Baseline needed | $21,459 |
| 84 | Miller-Motte College-ChattanoogaUndergraduate Certificate or Diploma | Chattanooga, TN | $51,837 | $12,139 | Baseline needed | $23,958 |
| 85 | Miller-Motte College-STVT-ArlingtonUndergraduate Certificate or Diploma | Arlington, TX | $51,837 | $12,139 | Baseline needed | $22,520 |
| 86 | Great Oaks Career CampusesUndergraduate Certificate or Diploma | Cincinnati, OH | $51,509 | $8,152 | Baseline needed | $12,037 |
| 87 | Auburn Career CenterUndergraduate Certificate or Diploma | Concord Twp, OH | $51,307 | Not available | Baseline needed | $12,051 |
| 88 | Western Iowa Tech Community CollegeUndergraduate Certificate or Diploma | Sioux City, IA | $51,294 | Not available | Baseline needed | $8,770 |
| 89 | Southeast Kentucky Community & Technical CollegeUndergraduate Certificate or Diploma | Cumberland, KY | $51,290 | Not available | Baseline needed | $3,731 |
| 90 | Metropolitan Community College-Kansas CityUndergraduate Certificate or Diploma | Kansas City, MO | $51,184 | Not available | Baseline needed | $8,398 |
| 91 | Gateway Community and Technical CollegeUndergraduate Certificate or Diploma | Florence, KY | $51,140 | $8,799 | Baseline needed | $5,725 |
| 92 | Career and Technology Education Centers of Licking CountyUndergraduate Certificate or Diploma | Newark, OH | $51,093 | $9,430 | Baseline needed | Not available |
| 93 | Kansas City Kansas Community CollegeUndergraduate Certificate or Diploma | Kansas City, KS | $51,091 | Not available | Baseline needed | $16,744 |
| 94 | Quinsigamond Community CollegeUndergraduate Certificate or Diploma | Worcester, MA | $50,978 | Not available | Baseline needed | $9,090 |
| 95 | Dallas CollegeUndergraduate Certificate or Diploma | Dallas, TX | $50,877 | $9,720 | Baseline needed | $3,214 |
| 96 | Virginia Western Community CollegeUndergraduate Certificate or Diploma | Roanoke, VA | $50,813 | Not available | Baseline needed | $4,966 |
| 97 | Fortis College-Salt Lake CityUndergraduate Certificate or Diploma | Salt Lake City, UT | $50,471 | $13,000 | Baseline needed | $27,586 |
| 98 | Fortis College-Cuyahoga FallsUndergraduate Certificate or Diploma | Cuyahoga Falls, OH | $50,471 | $13,000 | Baseline needed | $23,374 |
| 99 | Fortis Institute-CookevilleUndergraduate Certificate or Diploma | Cookeville, TN | $50,471 | $13,000 | Baseline needed | $23,582 |
| 100 | Delaware County Community CollegeUndergraduate Certificate or Diploma | Media, PA | $50,304 | Not available | Baseline needed | $6,576 |
This page keeps the field and credential level fixed. Federal categories can still combine multiple catalog programs or concentrations. Automated ROI is limited to associate and bachelor’s degrees because institution-wide annual net price is not a reliable proxy for short certificate prices. ROI is an illustrative scenario, not a federal determination.