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

Monroe's HVAC program delivers first-year earnings of $54,241—well above both the state median ($47,134) and national median ($41,438) for this field. That's $13,000 more annually than the typical HVAC graduate earns nationwide, placing this program in the 92nd percentile nationally. While the debt figure is estimated from comparable programs nationally at $12,000, that would produce a debt-to-earnings ratio of just 0.22, meaning graduates could theoretically pay off their loans in under three months of gross earnings.

The practical picture here looks solid. HVAC is skilled trade work with consistent demand, especially in a climate like upstate New York where heating and cooling systems run year-round. Starting at over $54,000 with estimated debt under $13,000 means graduates enter the workforce with immediate earning power and minimal financial burden. The program also serves a substantial population of Pell-eligible students (47%), suggesting it's creating pathways to stable middle-class earnings for students from modest backgrounds.

For parents weighing this investment, the numbers point to strong value—strong enough that even with estimated rather than actual debt data, the fundamentals hold. An associate's degree that positions graduates $7,000 above the state median in a field with clear career progression is worth serious consideration, particularly if your child is mechanically inclined and prefers hands-on work to a traditional four-year path.