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

Century College's HVAC program produces graduates earning $52,870—nearly 50% more than the national median of $35,749—placing it in the 95th percentile nationally. This massive earnings gap suggests strong industry connections or particularly effective training. However, the Minnesota context is more sobering: earnings land near the state median ($52,474), ranking in the 60th percentile among the state's 12 HVAC programs. St. Cloud Technical and Dakota County Technical both deliver higher first-year earnings.

The financial picture remains solid even with this state-level competition. At just $13,000 in debt, graduates face a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.25—meaning they could theoretically pay off their loans in three months of gross earnings. This is exceptional for any credential, technical or otherwise. The program costs slightly more than typical Minnesota HVAC training ($10,394 median), but the modest debt burden shouldn't create meaningful repayment stress at these income levels.

The small sample size (under 30 graduates) warrants caution—a few high or low earners can significantly skew these numbers. Still, the fundamentals work: graduates enter a skilled trade with strong wage floors, manageable debt, and clear career pathways. For Minnesota families, this represents a low-risk credential that delivers immediate earning power, even if neighboring programs edge it out slightly on salary outcomes.