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

San Joaquin Valley College-Lancaster's HVAC program sits in an interesting position: earnings fall below the national average, yet the school ranks above the California median—which tells you more about California's surprisingly weak HVAC training landscape than the program itself. At $40,861 in first-year earnings, graduates earn about $600 less than the national median, though they manage 10% growth by year four.

The debt picture offers some relief. At $19,635, students borrow roughly $2,100 more than the national median, but the resulting debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.48 remains manageable—graduates can realistically pay this down within a few years. Still, that 25th percentile national ranking is hard to ignore. HVAC technicians can earn significantly more elsewhere, with top programs producing first-year earnings above $47,000. Even more concerning: the identical earnings across multiple San Joaquin Valley locations suggest this may reflect the school's regional employer partnerships rather than exceptional training.

For families where a 60% Pell grant rate suggests this serves a financially vulnerable population, the program offers a functional entry point to skilled trades without crippling debt. But parents should understand their child would likely start behind peers from stronger programs nationally. If other California options exist nearby, compare carefully—Lancaster's middle-of-the-pack state ranking means better alternatives probably exist.