Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician (HAC, HACR, HVAC, HVACR) at Intellitec College-Grand Junction

Based on comparable HVAC programs nationally, this associate's degree appears to hit reasonable financial marks—estimated first-year earnings of $41,438 against roughly $19,635 in debt. That 0.47 debt-to-earnings ratio suggests graduates would dedicate less than half a year's salary to loan repayment, which is manageable for a technical field. What's worth noting is that these estimates match the national median almost exactly, suggesting Intellitec-Grand Junction likely performs in line with typical HVAC programs across the country.

The complication is Colorado-specific: the state's median for HVAC programs sits at just $35,919, about $5,500 below the national figure. We don't have actual outcomes for this Grand Junction campus (the graduate sample is too small to publish), so it's unclear whether this school delivers closer to national or state norms. For a family considering nearly $20,000 in debt, that difference matters—one scenario offers solid value, the other tightens the financial picture considerably.

The practical takeaway: HVAC technician work offers stable demand and hands-on skills that can't be outsourced, making this a defensible career path. But confirm what recent graduates from this specific campus are actually earning before committing. With 64% of students receiving Pell grants, many families here are betting on vocational training as an economic ladder—you'll want to verify those rungs are solid before your child climbs.