Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician (HAC, HACR, HVAC, HVACR) at Century College

Century College graduates are earning $12,000 more than the national median for HVAC programs within just a year of graduation, with exceptionally low debt at $11,500—about half the typical burden. The caveat? This data comes from a small cohort (under 30 students), which can swing these numbers significantly year to year. Still, the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.22 is impressive for a trade program, meaning graduates could theoretically clear their loans in less than three months of gross earnings.

The state picture is more complicated. While Century ranks well nationally (87th percentile), it sits in the middle of Minnesota's HVAC programs (40th percentile). Hennepin Technical College graduates start at $65,592—more than $13,000 higher. For Minnesota families, this matters: if you're choosing between in-state options for tuition reasons, understand that Century's outcomes trail several competitors. That said, the lower debt here could offset some of the earnings gap, especially in the first few years.

For parents focused on quick employment and manageable debt, Century's HVAC program checks the right boxes. The 24% earnings bump to nearly $65,000 by year four shows solid career progression. Just recognize that small sample sizes make this less predictable than programs with hundreds of graduates, and stronger options exist within Minnesota if your student gains admission.