Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician (HAC, HACR, HVAC, HVACR) at UEI College-Garden Grove

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.