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

This Florida Career College HVAC program delivers below-average earnings despite reasonable debt levels, making it a questionable investment compared to stronger alternatives in the state. While graduates earn $28,989 in their first year—well below the national median of $35,749 and Florida's median of $31,997—the manageable $9,500 debt load keeps the debt-to-earnings ratio at a reasonable 0.33. The program ranks in just the 11th percentile nationally but performs closer to average within Florida at the 40th percentile.

The concerning reality is that Florida offers significantly better HVAC programs with much higher earning potential. Top programs like Manatee Technical College produce graduates earning $45,926—nearly $17,000 more than this program. Even mid-tier Florida programs substantially outperform Florida Career College-Orlando, suggesting this isn't simply a low-wage regional market issue.

Your child would likely see better returns investing in one of Florida's higher-performing public technical colleges for HVAC training. The 18% earnings growth over four years shows some promise, but starting from such a low base means graduates still trail their peers significantly. Given HVAC's strong job market and the availability of superior programs within the state, this particular program represents a missed opportunity for better career outcomes.