HVAC Technology at UEI College-Garden Grove

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

a compact campus enrolling 1,093 students in Garden Grove, CA.

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $33,444/yr, roughly in line with the $36,779 national median for HVAC Technology. The value proposition here depends on cost, not earnings.

AI disruption models show minimal impact on this program's career paths. The gap between optimistic and pessimistic scenarios is just 0% — this trade's hands-on core resists automation.

With first-year pay of $33,444 far exceeding the $9,500 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

Ranked #189 of 260 HVAC Technology programs, UEI College-Garden Grove falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

HVAC Technology offers 15 registered apprenticeship pathways — an unusually broad set of earn-while-you-learn alternatives to the classroom track.

47 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
45
Low End
47
Score
47
High End
Earnings $33,444/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
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
3.4 months of Year 1 earnings

Top Career Paths

Top career paths for HVAC Technology 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

HVAC Technology Career Guide

From day-one roles to senior positions, HVAC Technology careers span a range of specializations. Read the complete outlook for graduates entering skilled trades.

Read the full HVAC Technology career guide →

Compare & Explore

HVAC Technology Overview

HVAC Technology at Other Schools

Other Majors at UEI College-Garden Grove

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the TradeSchoolOutlook Score for HVAC Technology at UEI College-Garden Grove?
A score of 47/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for HVAC Technology. Earnings, ROI, or job market factors are pulling the score down.
How safe is HVAC Technology from automation?
Highly resilient. HVAC Technology careers are fundamentally hands-on — they require physical presence and manual skill that AI cannot replicate. UEI College-Garden Grove graduates retain 1 of 1 viable career paths even under conservative assumptions.
How affordable is HVAC Technology at UEI College-Garden Grove?
Median debt of just $9,500 against $33,444/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.
Can I learn HVAC Technology through an apprenticeship instead of UEI College-Garden Grove?
Beyond UEI College-Garden Grove's classroom route, 15 registered apprenticeships map to HVAC Technology careers — including Air & Hydronic Balancing Technician. Apprenticeships trade shorter program length for longer on-the-job training, typically 2-4 years.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →