Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician (HAC, HACR, HVAC, HVACR) at Centura College-Richmond Main

At under $15,000 in debt, Centura College-Richmond keeps borrowing manageable—this program carries less debt than 95% of HVAC programs nationally. But first-year earnings of $29,395 lag significantly, landing in just the 13th percentile nationally and 40th percentile among Virginia schools. When the state's top program (Virginia Western Community College at $40,629) produces graduates earning nearly $11,000 more annually, that gap is hard to ignore.

The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.50 means graduates owe roughly half their first-year salary, which is reasonable by typical standards. However, HVAC certification programs should lead to solid middle-class incomes, and several Virginia alternatives demonstrate much stronger earning potential. Advanced Technology Institute graduates, for instance, earn $38,761—over $9,000 more per year while carrying similar debt levels. With 73% of Centura students receiving Pell grants, many families here are counting on this credential to deliver economic mobility.

For families weighing this program: the low debt is genuinely attractive, but the earnings shortfall matters more over a career. If your child has admission to Virginia Western or Advanced Technology Institute, those programs offer meaningfully better returns. If Centura is the only accessible option due to location or schedule, the debt burden won't be crushing, but temper expectations about initial earning power in a field where stronger programs consistently deliver $35,000-$40,000+ starting salaries.