Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician (HAC, HACR, HVAC, HVACR) at Central New Mexico Community College

With estimated debt around $12,000 and first-year earnings tracking close to the national median for HVAC programs, this associate degree appears to follow a sensible trade school model—modest borrowing for direct entry into skilled work. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.29 suggests graduates could realistically pay off loans within a year or two of working, assuming they land positions near the estimated $41,000 starting salary that comparable programs nationally produce.

The three-year earnings picture tells an important story, though. Jumping from an estimated $41,438 in year one to $43,793 by year four represents only about 6% growth—modest even for a skilled trade. HVAC work typically offers steady employment rather than dramatic salary progression, so these figures align with industry patterns. The program sits right at the national median, neither outperforming nor lagging behind the 273 other HVAC programs nationwide.

For families weighing this investment, the low debt burden is the strongest selling point. At $12,000, you're looking at roughly a third of what typical community college HVAC programs require students to borrow. That makes this a relatively low-risk path into a stable field, even if the earnings ceiling isn't particularly high. The key question is whether your student can secure employment quickly after graduation—HVAC credentials mean little without landing that first installation or maintenance job.