Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician (HAC, HACR, HVAC, HVACR) at Delgado Community College
Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma
Analysis
Delgado's HVAC certificate produces earnings below the national average for the field, but it's surprisingly competitive within Louisiana—ranking in the 60th percentile among the state's 20 HVAC programs. More importantly, graduates leave with remarkably low debt ($18,250) that ranks in the 5th percentile nationally, meaning 95% of similar programs saddle students with more borrowing. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.56 means you'd owe roughly seven months' salary, manageable for a technical credential that gets graduates working quickly.
The $32,550 first-year salary trails higher-paying Louisiana programs like Fortis College-Baton Rouge by about $4,000, but it's still close to the state median. For a community college serving predominantly lower-income students (62% receive Pell grants), Delgado delivers a credential that leads to immediate employment without crushing debt. The school's New Orleans location matters here—while not the highest-paying HVAC market in Louisiana, it offers steadier year-round demand for climate control work.
This is a solid entry point into a skilled trade, especially for students who need to minimize debt. The earnings gap compared to top programs exists, but the financial risk is substantially lower than most alternatives. If your child can handle the physical demands of HVAC work and wants a clear path to employment, this program offers reasonable value without betting the farm.
Where Delgado Community College Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all heating, air conditioning, ventilation and refrigeration maintenance technology/technician (hac, hacr, hvac, hvacr) certificate's programs nationally
Programs in the upper-left quadrant (high earnings, low debt) offer the best value. Programs in the lower-right quadrant warrant careful consideration.
Earnings Distribution
How Delgado Community College graduates compare to all programs nationally
Delgado Community College graduates earn $33k, placing them in the 30th percentile of all heating, air conditioning, ventilation and refrigeration maintenance technology/technician (hac, hacr, hvac, hvacr) certificate programs nationally.
Compare to Similar Programs in Louisiana
Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician (HAC, HACR, HVAC, HVACR) certificate's programs at peer institutions in Louisiana (20 total in state)
| School | Earnings (1yr) | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Delgado Community College | $32,550 | — | $18,250 | 0.56 |
| Fortis College-Baton Rouge | $36,485 | $38,389 | $13,000 | 0.36 |
| South Louisiana Community College | $33,792 | — | — | — |
| Northwest Louisiana Technical Community College | $33,495 | $24,230 | — | — |
| Remington College-Shreveport Campus | $31,763 | — | — | — |
| Remington College-Lafayette Campus | $31,763 | $37,835 | $12,965 | 0.41 |
| National Median | $35,749 | — | $10,223 | 0.29 |
Other Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician (HAC, HACR, HVAC, HVACR) Programs in Louisiana
Compare tuition, earnings, and debt across Louisiana schools
| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr) | Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fortis College-Baton Rouge Baton Rouge | $16,167 | $36,485 | $13,000 |
| South Louisiana Community College Lafayette | $4,210 | $33,792 | — |
| Northwest Louisiana Technical Community College Minden | $4,109 | $33,495 | — |
| Remington College-Shreveport Campus Shreveport | $23,560 | $31,763 | — |
| Remington College-Lafayette Campus Lafayette | $22,355 | $31,763 | $12,965 |
About This Data
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)
Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Delgado Community College, approximately 62% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.
Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.
Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.
Sample Size: Based on 36 graduates with reported earnings and 42 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.