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

Hennepin Technical College graduates earn $65,592 in their first year—58% above the national median for HVAC programs and outpacing every other Minnesota school, including the state's top-ranked competitors. That's not just good for an associate degree; it's exceptional for any two-year technical program. The 60th percentile ranking within Minnesota might seem middling at first glance, but context matters: Minnesota HVAC programs collectively perform well above national standards, so landing in the middle of this strong pack while actually leading in absolute earnings tells you this program has cracked the code on employer connections or curriculum design.

The $20,000 debt load sits slightly above state and national medians, but the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.30 means graduates can comfortably manage repayment—most financial experts consider anything under 1.0 healthy, and this is well below that threshold. Earnings climb to $72,770 by year four, representing 11% growth that keeps pace with trade wage increases. The moderate sample size suggests a stable, established program rather than a risky startup.

For families weighing the cost of a four-year degree against immediate workforce entry, this program delivers what matters most: high starting pay with manageable debt in an industry facing chronic worker shortages. Your child could be earning more than many bachelor's degree holders within months of graduation.