Heating & Air Conditioning at Minneapolis Community and Technical College
with a smaller student body of 4,816 in Minneapolis, MN.
Program Analysis
Graduates of Minneapolis Community and Technical College's Heating & Air Conditioning program earn $56,191/yr in their first year — 53% above the $36,779 national median, a strong market signal for this institution.
With a 63.9x return on tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.
The 25% 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.
At $20,000 in median debt against $56,191 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance quickly — a hallmark of affordable trade programs.
Minneapolis Community and Technical College ranks #28 among 260 Heating & Air Conditioning programs, placing it in the top 5% nationally by our financial outcomes measure.
A 32% earnings increase from $56,191 to $74,261 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.