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

UEI College-Reseda's HVAC program delivers below-average earnings but keeps debt manageable, creating a mixed value proposition for students. At $33,444 in first-year earnings, graduates earn about $2,300 less than the national median and nearly $5,000 below California's state median of $38,137. Among California's 44 HVAC programs, this ranks in just the 40th percentile, meaning most in-state alternatives produce higher-earning graduates.

However, the program's strength lies in its debt structure. The $9,500 median debt matches California's state median and creates a reasonable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.28, meaning graduates typically owe about 3.4 months of their annual salary. This is particularly important given that 75% of students receive Pell grants, indicating the program serves lower-income students who need affordable pathways to stable careers.

The gap between this program and California's top performers is significant—DeHart Technical School graduates earn $10,000 more annually with similar debt loads. While UEI's HVAC program won't make your child rich, it provides a relatively low-risk entry into a stable trade with minimal debt burden. For families prioritizing affordability over maximum earnings potential, this represents a reasonable investment, though exploring higher-performing California alternatives would be wise.