Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician (HAC, HACR, HVAC, HVACR) at NUC University

NUC University's HVAC program dramatically outperforms Puerto Rico competitors, with graduates earning $38,980 four years out—more than double the island's median of $17,204 and ranking in the 95th percentile statewide. This puts NUC in a class by itself among the nine PR schools offering this credential, with the next-best program (Mech-Tech College) trailing by over $17,000. The debt load of $13,845 is higher than most local alternatives but still translates to a manageable 0.42 ratio against first-year earnings, well below the worry threshold.

The tradeoff is worth understanding: while NUC graduates earn below the national HVAC median of $35,749, they're competing in Puerto Rico's different economic landscape. The program serves a predominantly Pell-eligible student body (71%) and delivers 18% earnings growth through year four, suggesting solid career progression. The low debt percentile nationally (5th) means you're borrowing less than 95% of HVAC programs across the U.S.

For a student planning to work in Puerto Rico's HVAC market, this program offers clear value—you'll likely out-earn every other local graduate while taking on debt that's proportional to the island's wage scale. If mainland relocation is the plan, expect to start behind national peers but with considerably less debt burden.