Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician (HAC, HACR, HVAC, HVACR) at Florida Career College-Margate

This HVAC program at Florida Career College-Margate delivers below-average earnings despite reasonable debt levels. Graduates earn $28,989 in their first year—significantly below both the national median of $35,749 and Florida's median of $31,997 for similar programs. While the program ranks in the 40th percentile among Florida HVAC programs (middle of the pack for the state), it sits in just the 11th percentile nationally, indicating substantial underperformance compared to programs across the country.

The debt picture is more encouraging, with graduates owing a median of $9,500—right at Florida's median and below the national average. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.33 is manageable, meaning graduates can theoretically pay off their loans in about 4 months of gross earnings. Earnings do grow 18% by year four to $34,093, but this still lags behind what top Florida programs achieve initially.

The concerning gap becomes clear when comparing to Florida's best performers: Manatee Technical College graduates start at $45,926—63% higher than this program's first-year earnings. For parents considering this investment, the program offers affordable training but produces graduates who earn substantially less than peers from stronger HVAC programs within the same state, suggesting better options exist nearby.