Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician (HAC, HACR, HVAC, HVACR) at Automeca Technical College-Caguas

The $17,204 first-year earnings tell a complicated geographic story. While this sits at just the 5th percentile nationally—less than half the $35,749 national median for HVAC programs—it's exactly at the Puerto Rico median and ranks in the 60th percentile among the island's nine programs. For a student planning to work in Puerto Rico, this program performs competitively within its actual labor market.

The $4,000 debt load is exceptionally low compared to the $10,223 national median, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of just 0.23 that graduates could reasonably pay off within months. Nearly all students here receive Pell grants, and this minimal debt matters enormously for those who can least afford to carry it. The tradeoff is clear: you're trading significantly lower debt for significantly lower earnings compared to mainland opportunities.

The real challenge is that NUC University's HVAC program shows $32,953 in first-year earnings—nearly double what Automeca-Caguas graduates earn—suggesting substantial variation in Puerto Rico's HVAC market outcomes. If your child has access to that program, the earnings difference is worth serious consideration. But if they're choosing between affordable HVAC training options on the island, Automeca-Caguas delivers the credential without crushing debt. Just understand that relocating to the mainland after graduation would be necessary to approach the national median salary.