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

UEI College-Gardena's HVAC program graduates earn $30,235 in their first year—about $8,000 less than the California median for this field and roughly $5,500 below the national average. In a state with 44 HVAC programs, this ranks in just the 25th percentile, meaning three-quarters of comparable California programs deliver stronger earnings outcomes. That's particularly concerning given California's higher cost of living and the fact that top programs in the state see graduates earning over $40,000 right out of the gate.

The $9,500 in median debt is manageable, keeping the debt-to-earnings ratio at 0.31, which means graduates can theoretically pay off loans in about four months of gross earnings. However, that modest debt can't compensate for earnings that fall significantly short of what HVAC technicians typically make in California. The 76% Pell Grant rate indicates this program serves predominantly low-income students who need strong earnings outcomes to justify the investment.

For families considering this program, the math is straightforward: your child would likely earn $8,000 more annually by attending a median California HVAC program instead. Over a decade, that's an $80,000 difference. Unless location is the deciding factor, other California programs offer substantially better financial returns for roughly the same debt load.