Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician (HAC, HACR, HVAC, HVACR) at Southern Technical College

Based on peer HVAC programs nationally, graduates typically earn around $41,400 in their first year—solid middle-class wages that align with the national median for this credential. With estimated debt of $19,635, this translates to a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.47, meaning graduates would owe roughly half their first-year salary. That's manageable for a skilled trade, though it's slightly higher than the national median debt of $17,500 for similar programs.

The challenge here is uncertainty. Southern Technical College serves a predominantly low-income student population (82% receive Pell grants), yet we can't see how their specific graduates perform compared to the national averages these estimates are drawn from. HVAC is typically a stable career path with strong demand in Florida's year-round climate, but the lack of reported outcomes—and no comparable Florida programs with public data—makes it difficult to assess whether this particular program delivers on that promise.

For families weighing this investment, the estimated numbers suggest reasonable value if they hold true. However, before committing nearly $20,000, you should ask the school directly about job placement rates, employer partnerships, and whether graduates are passing their EPA certification exams. For HVAC technicians, those credentials and connections matter as much as the degree itself.