Heating & Air Conditioning at Centura College-Virginia Beach

Virginia Beach, VA · Private for-profit · Certificate · Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician (HAC, HACR, HVAC, HVACR)

with a smaller student body of 8 in Virginia Beach, VA.

Program Analysis

Centura College-Virginia Beach's Heating & Air Conditioning graduates start at $29,395/yr, trailing the $36,779 national average by 20%. The program's value hinges on affordability.

The 18.5x 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.

With only 11% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, the scenario spread is tight at 0%. Career paths for Heating & Air Conditioning are among the more automation-resistant trades we analyze.

The $14,730 debt-to-$29,395 income ratio translates to about 6 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

At #244 out of 260 programs, Centura College-Virginia Beach's financial outcomes for Heating & Air Conditioning trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

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

41 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
40
Low End
41
Score
41
High End
Earnings $29,395/yr (-20% vs median)
AI-Proof AI-Proof (89% shielded)
Job Market Large (40,100 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$308K
1.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple
18.5x
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
$16,637
Median Debt at Graduation
$14,730
6.0 months of Year 1 earnings

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

Heating & Air Conditioning at Other Schools

Other Majors at Centura College-Virginia Beach

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Centura College-Virginia Beach's Heating & Air Conditioning program score?
At 41/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Heating & Air Conditioning programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.
How AI-proof is a career in Heating & Air Conditioning?
Highly resilient. Heating & Air Conditioning careers are fundamentally hands-on — they require physical presence and manual skill that AI cannot replicate. Graduates retain 1 of 1 viable career paths even under conservative assumptions.
Can you still earn well with Heating & Air Conditioning from Centura College-Virginia Beach?
First-year earnings trail the national median, but starting salary isn't the full picture. Regional cost of living, career trajectory, and tuition cost all factor in. Check the five-year earnings data when available.
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 →