Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician (HAC, HACR, HVAC, HVACR) at Tidewater Tech-Trades

Tidewater Tech-Trades graduates earn notably less than their counterparts at other Virginia HVAC programs, starting at $30,448 versus the state median of $31,702. More concerning: this program lands in just the 18th percentile nationally, meaning 82% of HVAC certificate programs produce better-earning graduates. Virginia Western Community College graduates, for comparison, start at $40,629—a $10,000 advantage that compounds over time.

The debt situation provides the only bright spot here. At $14,750, it's higher than the national median but still very manageable relative to first-year earnings, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.48. That means graduates could theoretically pay off the full amount in six months of gross pay. The 24% earnings growth to $37,629 by year four shows these graduates do advance in their careers, though they're still trailing competitors. With 69% of students receiving Pell grants, many attendees are investing borrowed money in a program that underperforms more affordable community college alternatives.

For families weighing their options, Virginia Western Community College stands out as the clear value leader in Virginia for HVAC training. If Tidewater Tech-Trades offers location convenience or scheduling flexibility that matters for your situation, the manageable debt keeps this from being a financial disaster. But the earnings gap is real and persistent—you'd start behind and likely stay behind throughout your career.