Heating & Air Conditioning at SUNY College of Technology at Alfred

Alfred, NY · Public · Associate Degree · Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician (HAC, HACR, HVAC, HVACR)

SUNY College of Technology at Alfred accepts 82% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, with a smaller student body of 3,510 in Alfred, NY.

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $42,992/yr, edging above the $36,779 national average for Heating & Air Conditioning — a modest premium that suggests solid regional demand for this trade.

The 35.1x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. Trade programs often deliver strong ratios, and this one is a standout.

AI risk is moderate — 11% task exposure — and the 28% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook for Heating & Air Conditioning graduates.

At $12,000 in median debt against $42,992 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance quickly — a hallmark of affordable trade programs.

Ranked #71 out of 260 programs, SUNY College of Technology at Alfred's Heating & Air Conditioning offering sits in the upper half but doesn't break into the top tier.

The five-year earnings trajectory from $42,992 to $58,480 shows 36% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary progression.

With 15 registered apprenticeships mapped to Heating & Air Conditioning, graduates have substantial options for hands-on training paths that pay from day one.

53 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
50
Low End
53
Score
53
High End
Earnings $42,992/yr (17% vs median)
AI-Proof AI-Proof (89% shielded)
Job Market Large (40,100 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$623K
8.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
35.1x
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 (In-State)
$17,724
Out-of-state: $32,734
Median Debt at Graduation
$12,000
3.3 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$58,480
36% 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 is the TradeSchoolOutlook Score for Heating & Air Conditioning at SUNY College of Technology at Alfred?
At 53/100, SUNY College of Technology at Alfred's Heating & Air Conditioning program delivers middling returns. School cost and personal fit become important decision factors.
How AI-proof is a career in Heating & Air Conditioning?
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.
What's the typical debt for Heating & Air Conditioning graduates from SUNY College of Technology at Alfred?
Median debt of just $12,000 against $42,992/yr in starting salary means graduates can clear their loans in under 3 months. This is one of the more affordable paths in our dataset.
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 →