Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician (HAC, HACR, HVAC, HVACR) at UEI College-Bakersfield
Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma
Analysis
UEI College-Bakersfield's HVAC program produces earnings that lag far behind what graduates should expect in this field. At $23,433 one year after graduation, completers earn just 61% of what other California HVAC programs deliver—a stunning gap when competing programs in the same city (San Joaquin Valley College-Bakersfield) report median earnings of $40,368. This places UEI in the bottom 10% statewide and bottom 5% nationally, despite California's robust HVAC market where skilled technicians typically command strong wages.
The $9,500 debt burden appears manageable on paper, matching the California median. However, the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.41 tells the real story: graduates carry debt equal to 41% of their first-year salary, nearly double what they'd face at better-performing programs. With 78% of students receiving Pell grants, most families here can't afford to take on debt for below-market outcomes. The robust sample size of 100+ graduates confirms this isn't a statistical anomaly—it's a consistent pattern.
For parents considering this program, the comparison is stark: nearby alternatives deliver 70% higher earnings for similar debt. Unless something has changed dramatically at UEI since this data was collected, families should explore other HVAC training options in the Bakersfield area where the same investment produces significantly better returns.
Where UEI College-Bakersfield 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 UEI College-Bakersfield graduates compare to all programs nationally
UEI College-Bakersfield graduates earn $23k, placing them in the 5th percentile of all heating, air conditioning, ventilation and refrigeration maintenance technology/technician (hac, hacr, hvac, hvacr) certificate programs nationally.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UEI College-Bakersfield | $23,433 | — | $9,500 | 0.41 |
| 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-Bakersfield | $40,368 | $51,812 | $13,000 | 0.32 |
| San Joaquin Valley College-Visalia | $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-Bakersfield Bakersfield | — | $40,368 | $13,000 |
| San Joaquin Valley College-Visalia Visalia | — | $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 UEI College-Bakersfield, approximately 78% 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 306 graduates with reported earnings and 346 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.