Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician (HAC, HACR, HVAC, HVACR) at San Joaquin Valley College-Fresno

San Joaquin Valley College-Fresno graduates earn more than 75% of HVAC programs nationally, but you're paying a premium for that advantage. The $13,000 in debt is higher than both California's $9,500 median and the national benchmark of $10,223—though the 0.32 debt-to-earnings ratio remains manageable. At the 60th percentile among California HVAC programs, this performs solidly within the state but isn't quite top-tier. Several nearby institutions, including the college's own Bakersfield and Visalia campuses, match these earnings while charging less.

The upside is strong earnings growth: graduates see a 28% jump from $40,368 to $51,812 over four years, suggesting the program prepares students for advancement in the field. More than half of students receive Pell grants, and with over 100 graduates in the dataset, these numbers are reliable. For perspective, you're paying roughly 37% more in debt than the state average to earn about 6% more than California's median HVAC graduate.

If your child can access the Bakersfield or Visalia campuses—where graduates earn identically but debt figures may differ—explore those options first. Otherwise, this Fresno program delivers solid outcomes at a slightly elevated price point, justified by above-average earnings and robust career progression in a stable trade.