Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician (HAC, HACR, HVAC, HVACR) at Institute for Business and Technology
Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma
Analysis
At just over $9,300 in debt, graduates from this San Jose program are entering a trade with strong earning momentum and minimal financial burden. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.22 means the typical graduate could realistically pay off their loans in under three months of full-time work—a stark contrast to the years of debt service facing many bachelor's degree holders. While first-year earnings of $41,695 land solidly above both state and national medians, the real story emerges by year four, when earnings jump 55% to $64,593.
What makes this particularly compelling for California families is the combination of low debt and San Jose location. The program ranks in the 60th percentile statewide—respectable if not exceptional—but remember that California's HVAC market tends to pay well broadly, so being above the middle means solid positioning. The first-year earnings already exceed the state median by nearly $3,500, and the four-year trajectory suggests graduates are finding their way into commercial or specialized HVAC work where the real money lies in the Bay Area's construction boom.
The trade-off is straightforward: this isn't the absolute highest-earning HVAC program in California, but the negligible debt load and strong earnings growth make it a smart bet. For families in the Bay Area where housing costs loom large, the ability to start earning immediately with minimal debt drag is worth more than a few thousand dollars in theoretical higher earnings elsewhere.
Where Institute for Business and Technology Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all heating, air conditioning, ventilation and refrigeration maintenance technology/technician (hac, hacr, hvac, hvacr) certificate's programs nationally
Programs in the upper-left quadrant (high earnings, low debt) offer the best value. Programs in the lower-right quadrant warrant careful consideration.
Earnings Distribution
How Institute for Business and Technology graduates compare to all programs nationally
Institute for Business and Technology graduates earn $42k, placing them in the 82th percentile of all heating, air conditioning, ventilation and refrigeration maintenance technology/technician (hac, hacr, hvac, hvacr) certificate programs nationally.
Earnings Over Time
How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation
Earnings trajectories vary significantly. Some programs show strong early returns that plateau; others start lower but accelerate. Consider where you want to be at year 4, not just year 1.
Compare to Similar Programs in California
Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician (HAC, HACR, HVAC, HVACR) certificate's programs at peer institutions in California (44 total in state)
| School | Earnings (1yr) | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Institute for Business and Technology | $41,695 | $64,593 | $9,316 | 0.22 |
| DeHart Technical School | $43,927 | — | $8,950 | 0.20 |
| National Career Education | $41,695 | $64,593 | $9,316 | 0.22 |
| San Joaquin Valley College-Visalia | $40,368 | $51,812 | $13,000 | 0.32 |
| San Joaquin Valley College-Fresno | $40,368 | $51,812 | $13,000 | 0.32 |
| San Joaquin Valley College-Bakersfield | $40,368 | $51,812 | $13,000 | 0.32 |
| National Median | $35,749 | — | $10,223 | 0.29 |
Other Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician (HAC, HACR, HVAC, HVACR) Programs in California
Compare tuition, earnings, and debt across California schools
| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr) | Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| DeHart Technical School Modesto | — | $43,927 | $8,950 |
| National Career Education Citrus Heights | — | $41,695 | $9,316 |
| San Joaquin Valley College-Visalia Visalia | — | $40,368 | $13,000 |
| San Joaquin Valley College-Fresno Fresno | — | $40,368 | $13,000 |
| San Joaquin Valley College-Bakersfield Bakersfield | — | $40,368 | $13,000 |
About This Data
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)
Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Institute for Business and Technology, approximately 32% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.
Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.
Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.
Sample Size: Based on 134 graduates with reported earnings and 114 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.