Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician (HAC, HACR, HVAC, HVACR) at Lincoln Technical Institute-Iselin

Similar HVAC programs in New Jersey suggest first-year earnings around $39,632 and debt near $12,106—which would create a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.31 if these estimates hold. That's notably better than the national debt picture ($10,223 median), though the debt load is higher here. By year four, actual reported earnings for this program reach $44,075, showing steady growth that's typical for trades where experience and licensing matter.

What makes HVAC particularly relevant at Lincoln Tech is the student population: 62% receive Pell grants, meaning most families are investing in a credential that should lead to stable, middle-income work. Based on comparable New Jersey programs—some at the same institution type—graduates typically enter a field with consistent demand and clear advancement paths. The fourth-year earnings suggest this program delivers on that promise, putting graduates solidly in the middle of the state's HVAC salary range.

The key question is whether Lincoln Tech's actual outcomes match these peer-program estimates. With reported fourth-year data available but first-year figures suppressed (likely due to small class sizes), you're betting that this school performs at least as well as the state median. Given the eventual $44,075 earnings and the relatively modest estimated debt load, that seems like a reasonable wager for students seeking stable technical careers without a four-year degree commitment.