Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician (HAC, HACR, HVAC, HVACR) at Refrigeration School Inc
Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma
Analysis
Refrigeration School Inc's graduates earn $48,145 in their first year—35% more than the typical Arizona HVAC graduate and ranking in the 80th percentile statewide. That's a substantial premium in a market where most programs cluster around $35,000, and it comes with manageable debt under $9,000. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.18 means graduates earn more than five times what they borrowed, allowing most to pay down loans quickly while building their careers.
The school serves a largely working-class population (67% receive Pell grants), yet its specialized focus appears to deliver stronger industry connections or training than broader community college programs. These numbers suggest employers value whatever RSI teaches differently than typical certificate programs. However, the sample size is small—fewer than 30 graduates reported data—so individual circumstances vary more than these medians suggest.
For a student certain about HVAC as a career, this looks like efficient training with strong early returns. The low debt load means even if your child's earnings fall below the median, they won't struggle with payments. Just verify these results hold up with the school's most recent cohorts, since small programs can see year-to-year swings in outcomes.
Where Refrigeration School Inc Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all heating, air conditioning, ventilation and refrigeration maintenance technology/technician (hac, hacr, hvac, hvacr) certificate's programs nationally
Programs in the upper-left quadrant (high earnings, low debt) offer the best value. Programs in the lower-right quadrant warrant careful consideration.
Earnings Distribution
How Refrigeration School Inc graduates compare to all programs nationally
Refrigeration School Inc graduates earn $48k, placing them in the 95th percentile of all heating, air conditioning, ventilation and refrigeration maintenance technology/technician (hac, hacr, hvac, hvacr) certificate programs nationally.
Compare to Similar Programs in Arizona
Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician (HAC, HACR, HVAC, HVACR) certificate's programs at peer institutions in Arizona (15 total in state)
| School | Earnings (1yr) | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Refrigeration School Inc | $48,145 | — | $8,835 | 0.18 |
| Miller-Motte College-Arizona Automotive Institute | $38,043 | $39,791 | $12,139 | 0.32 |
| UEI College-Phoenix | $33,444 | — | $9,500 | 0.28 |
| UEI College-Mesa | $33,444 | — | $9,500 | 0.28 |
| National Median | $35,749 | — | $10,223 | 0.29 |
Other Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician (HAC, HACR, HVAC, HVACR) Programs in Arizona
Compare tuition, earnings, and debt across Arizona schools
| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr) | Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Miller-Motte College-Arizona Automotive Institute Glendale | — | $38,043 | $12,139 |
| UEI College-Phoenix Phoenix | — | $33,444 | $9,500 |
| UEI College-Mesa Mesa | — | $33,444 | $9,500 |
About This Data
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)
Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Refrigeration School Inc, approximately 67% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.
Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.
Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.
Sample Size: Based on 29 graduates with reported earnings and 28 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.