Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician (HAC, HACR, HVAC, HVACR) at UEI College-Garden Grove
Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma
Analysis
UEI College-Garden Grove's HVAC program delivers below-average earnings outcomes that may not justify the investment, especially given California's strong HVAC job market. At $33,444 in first-year earnings, graduates earn about $5,000 less than the California median for HVAC programs ($38,137) and fall in just the 40th percentile statewide. This is particularly concerning since California typically offers higher wages in skilled trades.
The debt picture is mixed—while the $9,500 median debt matches the state average and creates a reasonable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.28, the program ranks in the 75th percentile nationally for debt levels, meaning most comparable programs elsewhere cost significantly less. With 75% of students receiving Pell grants, affordability is clearly a concern for this population, making the below-average earnings outcomes more problematic.
The data is reliable with 100+ graduates, and California offers 44 HVAC programs to choose from. Several alternatives like DeHart Technical School ($43,927) and Institute for Business and Technology ($41,695) show substantially higher earning potential. For an anxious parent, this program represents a risky investment—your child could likely find better HVAC training options within California that lead to stronger earnings outcomes in this generally well-paying field.
Where UEI College-Garden Grove 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-Garden Grove graduates compare to all programs nationally
UEI College-Garden Grove graduates earn $33k, placing them in the 36th 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-Garden Grove | $33,444 | — | $9,500 | 0.28 |
| 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-Garden Grove, approximately 75% 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 1212 graduates with reported earnings and 1283 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.