Heating & Air Conditioning at Northwest Louisiana Technical Community College

Minden, LA · Public · Certificate · Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician (HAC, HACR, HVAC, HVACR)

a smaller institution with 837 students in Minden, LA.

Program Analysis

Northwest Louisiana Technical Community College's Heating & Air Conditioning program produces graduates earning $33,495/yr — within striking distance of the $36,779 national average for this trade.

With a 85.3x return on tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 0% spread between best and worst-case AI scenarios signals strong resilience. Most careers in Heating & Air Conditioning involve physical, hands-on work that current AI cannot replicate.

Northwest Louisiana Technical Community College ranks #47 among 260 Heating & Air Conditioning programs, placing it in the top 5% nationally by our financial outcomes measure.

The limited growth from $33,495 to $33,882 over five years suggests earnings in this trade plateau relatively early in one's career.

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

59 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
58
Low End
59
Score
58
High End
Earnings $33,495/yr (-9% vs median)
AI-Proof AI-Proof (89% shielded)
Job Market Large (40,100 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$350K
1.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple
85.3x
10-year earnings ÷ tuition
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.

Program Tuition
$4,109
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$33,882
1% 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

What does a 59/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Heating & Air Conditioning at Northwest Louisiana Technical Community College?
This program scores 59/100, reflecting respectable but not exceptional financial outcomes for Heating & Air Conditioning graduates.
How safe is Heating & Air Conditioning from automation?
Heating & Air Conditioning rates as "AI-Proof" for AI resilience. With only 11% of tasks exposed to automation, the trade's physical demands provide a natural shield against AI displacement.
Is Northwest Louisiana Technical Community College one of the best schools for Heating & Air Conditioning?
The #47 ranking out of 260 programs is driven by strong financial outcomes — graduates earn well, debt is manageable, and the job market supports this 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 →