Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician (HAC, HACR, HVAC, HVACR) at UEI College-Huntington Park
Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma
Analysis
This UEI College HVAC program delivers below-average earnings outcomes that should give parents pause. Graduates earn a median of $33,444 one year out, which falls short of both the national median ($35,749) and significantly trails the California state median ($38,137) for HVAC programs. Among California's 44 HVAC programs, this ranks in just the 40th percentile—meaning 60% of comparable in-state programs produce better earnings outcomes.
The debt picture is more encouraging, with graduates owing a manageable $9,500 at completion. This creates a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.28, which is reasonable for a technical program. However, the debt level still sits in the 75th percentile nationally, meaning most similar programs nationwide leave students with less debt burden.
The fundamental concern is the earnings gap: graduates here earn about $5,000 less annually than the state average for HVAC programs, and top California programs like DeHart Technical School produce graduates earning over $10,000 more. Given that HVAC is a stable, in-demand field with good long-term prospects, your child would likely be better served by a program that delivers earnings closer to industry standards. The 75% Pell Grant rate suggests the school serves lower-income students well, but the below-average outcomes make this a questionable investment when stronger alternatives exist in California.
Where UEI College-Huntington Park 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-Huntington Park graduates compare to all programs nationally
UEI College-Huntington Park 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-Huntington Park | $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-Huntington Park, 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.