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

In a field where skilled technicians are in high demand across Mississippi, this HVAC certificate at Holmes Community College comes with an estimated debt load of roughly $9,300—slightly below what similar programs nationally typically require. While we lack specific outcomes data for Holmes graduates (the Department of Education suppresses figures when sample sizes are too small), comparable HVAC certificate programs nationally suggest first-year earnings around $35,700, producing a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.26.

The practical appeal here is straightforward: HVAC technicians enter a trade where the work is consistent, the skills transfer anywhere, and the credential can be completed quickly. With 42% of Holmes students receiving Pell grants, the relatively modest estimated debt matters—especially for families financing this education through federal loans. Programs producing median-range trade credentials like this one generally see graduates paying off loans within a few years if they secure steady employment.

The uncertainty cuts both ways. Holmes might outperform these estimates if they've built strong relationships with Mississippi employers or if their graduates enter specializations commanding higher pay. They might underperform if job placement support is weak or if local market conditions are particularly challenging. Before committing, your child should connect with Holmes career services to understand their actual placement rates and starting wages for recent HVAC graduates—data the school itself should be tracking even when federal reporting thresholds aren't met.