Heating & Air Conditioning at Blue Cliff College-Metairie

Metairie, LA · Private for-profit · Certificate · Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician (HAC, HACR, HVAC, HVACR)

a smaller institution with 584 students in Metairie, LA.

Program Analysis

At $23,326 per year, Heating & Air Conditioning graduates from Blue Cliff College-Metairie earn below the $36,779 national average. Lower costs or geographic factors may offset the earnings gap.

The 22% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Heating & Air Conditioning career paths face changes, but the trade's physical demands provide a buffer.

The median debt load of $9,500 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios in vocational education.

A #251 ranking among 260 Heating & Air Conditioning programs places Blue Cliff College-Metairie in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

A 29% earnings increase from $23,326 to $30,007 over five years is solid — not a moonshot, but evidence of normal career advancement.

The 15 apprenticeship pathways connected to Heating & Air Conditioning reflect strong industry infrastructure for this trade. Apprenticeships typically lead to journeyman-level wages.

40 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
38
Low End
40
Score
40
High End
Earnings $23,326/yr (-37% vs median)
AI-Proof AI-Proof (89% shielded)
Job Market Large (40,100 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$315K
6.5% annual growth
Viable Career Paths
1 of 1
Occupations with strong AI resilience

Projected 10-Year Earnings

Based on actual graduate salary data and Bureau of Labor Statistics growth projections.

Median Debt at Graduation
$9,500
4.9 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$30,007
29% growth from Year 1

Top Career Paths

Top career paths for Heating & Air Conditioning graduates by median salary.

Career Path Median Salary Growth AI-ProofAI
Heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers $59,810 +8.1% 89%
Heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers
$59,810
+8.1% growth 89% AI-proof

About Heating & Air Conditioning Careers

Your career in HVACR begins with your hands on the tools. As an apprentice, you’ll work alongside a senior technician, learning to use pressure gauges on a residential AC unit or a multimeter to diagnose a faulty furnace circuit board in a chilly basement. Soon, you'll be driving the service van, independently tackling everything from routine maintenance to emergency repairs on commercial rooftops. This is skilled, physical work that requires you to be on-site—it can’t be automated or outsourced.

Read the full Heating & Air Conditioning career guide →

Compare & Explore

Heating & Air Conditioning Overview

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Frequently Asked Questions

How does Blue Cliff College-Metairie's Heating & Air Conditioning program score?
This program scores 40/100 — on the lower end for Heating & Air Conditioning. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
Will AI replace Heating & Air Conditioning jobs?
This is one of the more automation-resistant trades. Heating & Air Conditioning work requires physical skill and on-site presence — qualities AI cannot provide. Our model rates it "AI-Proof" overall.
Can you still earn well with Heating & Air Conditioning from Blue Cliff College-Metairie?
Starting salary is one data point. If Blue Cliff College-Metairie's tuition is significantly below average, the ROI calculation can still work — lower earnings paired with lower costs can be a reasonable trade.
Are there apprenticeship options for Heating & Air Conditioning?
Heating & Air Conditioning connects to 15 apprenticeship pathways. These DOL-registered programs combine structured training with paid employment — a strong alternative for students who prefer hands-on learning over classroom instruction.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →