Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician (HAC, HACR, HVAC, HVACR) at San Joaquin Valley College-Visalia
Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma
Analysis
San Joaquin Valley College-Visalia charges premium debt for this HVAC program—$13,000 versus the California median of $9,500—but the investment appears to pay off. First-year graduates earn $40,368, which places them in the 75th percentile nationally and 60th percentile among California HVAC programs. More importantly, earnings jump 28% by year four to $51,812, suggesting graduates develop marketable skills that command higher pay as they gain experience. The 0.32 debt-to-earnings ratio means graduates owe less than four months of their starting salary, a manageable burden for a skilled trade.
The premium pricing makes more sense when you consider the outcomes: this program outperforms 75% of similar programs nationwide and beats California's median by about $2,200 in starting salary. Among the state's top HVAC programs, only DeHart Technical School produces notably higher earners. Nearly half the student body receives Pell grants, and the program serves them well—technical training with strong earnings growth and relatively low debt makes for solid economic mobility.
For families weighing community college versus for-profit options, this program delivers competitive outcomes at moderate cost. The debt is higher than bare-bones alternatives, but the earnings trajectory justifies it. If your student wants to enter HVAC work quickly with credentials that lead to above-average pay, this program does what it promises.
Where San Joaquin Valley College-Visalia 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 San Joaquin Valley College-Visalia graduates compare to all programs nationally
San Joaquin Valley College-Visalia graduates earn $40k, placing them in the 75th percentile of all heating, air conditioning, ventilation and refrigeration maintenance technology/technician (hac, hacr, hvac, hvacr) certificate programs nationally.
Earnings Over Time
How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation
Earnings trajectories vary significantly. Some programs show strong early returns that plateau; others start lower but accelerate. Consider where you want to be at year 4, not just year 1.
Compare to Similar Programs in California
Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician (HAC, HACR, HVAC, HVACR) certificate's programs at peer institutions in California (44 total in state)
| School | Earnings (1yr) | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Joaquin Valley College-Visalia | $40,368 | $51,812 | $13,000 | 0.32 |
| DeHart Technical School | $43,927 | — | $8,950 | 0.20 |
| Institute for Business and Technology | $41,695 | $64,593 | $9,316 | 0.22 |
| National Career Education | $41,695 | $64,593 | $9,316 | 0.22 |
| San Joaquin Valley College-Fresno | $40,368 | $51,812 | $13,000 | 0.32 |
| San Joaquin Valley College-Bakersfield | $40,368 | $51,812 | $13,000 | 0.32 |
| National Median | $35,749 | — | $10,223 | 0.29 |
Other Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician (HAC, HACR, HVAC, HVACR) Programs in California
Compare tuition, earnings, and debt across California schools
| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr) | Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| DeHart Technical School Modesto | — | $43,927 | $8,950 |
| Institute for Business and Technology San Jose | — | $41,695 | $9,316 |
| National Career Education Citrus Heights | — | $41,695 | $9,316 |
| San Joaquin Valley College-Fresno Fresno | — | $40,368 | $13,000 |
| San Joaquin Valley College-Bakersfield Bakersfield | — | $40,368 | $13,000 |
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 San Joaquin Valley College-Visalia, approximately 49% 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 313 graduates with reported earnings and 317 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.