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

This HVAC program at Florida Career College-Miami delivers concerning results that should give parents pause. While the debt load is manageable at $9,500, graduates earn just $28,989 in their first year—significantly below both the national median ($35,749) and Florida median ($31,997) for HVAC programs. The program ranks in only the 11th percentile nationally, meaning 89% of similar programs produce better outcomes.

Within Florida, the picture is mixed but still troubling. While the program performs at the 40th percentile among state HVAC programs, graduates earn $3,000 less than the state median and dramatically underperform compared to top Florida programs. Students at Manatee Technical College, for instance, earn $45,926—nearly $17,000 more than Florida Career College graduates. The 18% earnings growth over four years helps, but even after four years ($34,093), graduates still earn less than the typical first-year graduate from better programs.

The program's value proposition is questionable given these alternatives. With 66 HVAC programs available in Florida and many producing substantially better outcomes for similar debt levels, parents should strongly consider other options. The robust sample size makes these results reliable, and the fact that 74% of students receive Pell grants suggests the program primarily serves students who most need strong employment outcomes—making the weak earnings performance particularly concerning.