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

Here's a puzzle for Minnesota families: Dunwoody's HVAC program costs about what you'd expect ($17,500 in debt, matching the national median), but graduates start $7,000 behind their peers at other Minnesota schools. Among the state's 11 HVAC programs, this one ranks in just the 40th percentile—meaning six programs deliver better outcomes while charging similar tuition. Hennepin Technical College, for instance, helps graduates earn $65,592 early in their careers, nearly $20,000 more than Dunwoody's $47,076.

The silver lining? Earnings jump impressively, climbing 50% to reach $70,510 by year four. That's well above the national median and suggests Dunwoody graduates catch up as they gain experience and licensure. The question is whether starting behind matters in a trade where first-year earnings affect apprenticeship decisions and early career momentum. With a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.37, graduates aren't drowning in loans, but they're also not getting the head start that nearby community colleges provide at similar price points.

For parents comparing options, this comes down to fit versus outcomes. If your child thrives in Dunwoody's hands-on environment and will stick with HVAC long enough to reach those stronger mid-career earnings, the premium over community college might pay off. But if you're purely focused on maximizing return on investment, Minnesota's technical colleges offer faster financial traction right out of the gate.