Environmental Control Technologies/Technicians at Refrigeration School Inc

Refrigeration School Inc's program launches graduates into earnings nearly $10,000 above the national median for this field—a 95th percentile performance that stands out dramatically. Students leave with just $8,815 in debt, meaning they'd owe less than two months' salary to pay it off. With 100+ graduates in the data, these aren't fluky numbers.

Here's the perspective worth understanding: among Arizona's six environmental control programs, this sits at the median for both earnings and debt, meaning it's competitive locally even as it crushes national comparisons. The modest 3% earnings growth over four years suggests graduates hit their ceiling quickly, but when that ceiling is $47,000 with minimal debt, that's a functional career launch rather than a limitation. The school serves a majority Pell-eligible population (67%), indicating it successfully provides accessible training for students who need financial aid.

For parents worried about trade school investments, this program offers clear math: your child earns well above typical HVAC tech outcomes nationwide, carries minimal debt, and enters a field with steady demand in Arizona's climate. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.19 means the financial risk is exceptionally low, even if career growth proves limited. This is exactly what vocational training should deliver—immediate employability without crushing debt.