Heating & Air Conditioning at Hudson Valley Community College
enrolling 6,359 students in Troy, NY.
Program Analysis
At $47,134 per year, Heating & Air Conditioning graduates from Hudson Valley Community College significantly outpace the $36,779 national average for this trade, reflecting strong employer demand for this program's graduates.
With a 46.4x return on tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.
The 21% 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 $12,000 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios in vocational education.
Hudson Valley Community College ranks #51 among 260 Heating & Air Conditioning programs, placing it in the top 5% nationally by our financial outcomes measure.
A 26% earnings increase from $47,134 to $59,554 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.
Earnings Overview
Projected 10-Year Earnings
Based on actual graduate salary data and Bureau of Labor Statistics growth projections.
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% |
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.