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

UEI College-Riverside's HVAC program leaves graduates earning significantly less than they could at competing California schools. At $30,235 one year out, this trails the state median by $8,000—putting it in just the 25th percentile among California's 44 HVAC programs. The gap is stark: top California programs like DeHart Technical School produce graduates earning $43,927, nearly 50% more than UEI-Riverside. Even accounting for the program's reasonable $9,500 debt load (matching the state median), the earnings shortfall raises questions about whether students are getting adequate training or job placement support.

The program serves a predominantly low-income population (74% receive Pell grants), making the earnings gap more consequential. These students need every advantage in the job market, but graduating in the bottom quarter of California programs puts them at a competitive disadvantage. While the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.31 isn't alarming on its own, it's misleading comfort when the underlying earnings are this weak.

For parents considering this program, the calculus is straightforward: your child could attend one of several California HVAC programs that deliver 30-45% higher first-year earnings for similar or lower debt. Unless there are compelling geographic or timing constraints, this program appears to underdeliver compared to readily available alternatives across the state.