Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician (HAC, HACR, HVAC, HVACR) at Minnesota State College Southeast

Based on comparable HVAC programs in Minnesota, this program suggests a solid financial foundation with estimated first-year earnings around $54,000 and debt near $20,000—a manageable 0.37 ratio that means roughly four months of earnings to cover total educational debt. What makes these estimates encouraging is that they align with Minnesota's state median for HVAC programs, which consistently outperform the national benchmark of $41,000 by a substantial margin. The skilled trades shortage in the upper Midwest appears to be driving these higher wages.

The $20,000 estimated debt sits slightly above Minnesota's $18,750 median for these programs, though it's worth noting that peer programs in the state show wide variation in outcomes. Hennepin Technical College graduates earn over $65,000 their first year, while Dunwoody's outcomes fall closer to $47,000—suggesting that program quality, local employer connections, and job placement support matter significantly in this field. Without actual outcomes data from Minnesota State College Southeast, it's difficult to know where they fall in this range.

For parents weighing this investment, the estimated numbers point to a financially viable path—HVAC technicians are in high demand, and the debt load appears reasonable relative to likely earnings. However, before committing, contact the school directly about their actual graduate outcomes, job placement rates, and employer partnerships. In a field where connections to local contractors and union apprenticeships can make a $15,000 difference in starting salary, these program-specific details matter as much as the degree itself.