Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician (HAC, HACR, HVAC, HVACR) at SUNY College of Technology at Delhi

In New York's HVAC market, where trade workers command solid wages, Delhi's program shows a debt picture that makes this training accessible—though the earnings data suggests more modest outcomes than top alternatives. Based on comparable programs in the state, first-year earnings around $47,000 represent the middle of the pack, trailing Monroe Community College's $54,000 but matching what Hudson Valley reports. With estimated debt of just $12,000—well below the $17,500 national median for HVAC programs—graduates would be looking at monthly loan payments around $135, manageable on a tradesperson's income.

The challenge here is visibility. Because Delhi's graduate numbers are too small to report, we're relying entirely on peer comparisons rather than this school's actual track record. That means parents can't see whether Delhi's hands-on training, industry connections, or equipment access translates into better job placement than these estimates suggest—or worse. The 0.25 debt-to-earnings ratio looks promising on paper, but it's built on assumptions about how Delhi's graduates fare in the field.

For families weighing this investment, the low debt load is the strongest selling point, especially for a nearly half-Pell student body where affordability matters. Before committing, though, ask Delhi directly about job placement rates, employer partnerships, and where recent graduates are actually working—the real outcomes that these estimates can't capture.