HVAC Technology at Chattanooga State Community College

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

with a smaller student body of 4,689 in Chattanooga, TN.

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $40,038 at Chattanooga State Community College come in 9% above the national median of $36,779 for HVAC Technology programs.

With a 92.1x 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 HVAC Technology involve physical, hands-on work that current AI cannot replicate.

With first-year pay of $40,038 far exceeding the $5,500 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

Chattanooga State Community College ranks #33 among 260 HVAC Technology programs, placing it in the top 5% nationally by our financial outcomes measure.

The 15 apprenticeship pathways connected to HVAC Technology reflect strong industry infrastructure for this trade. Apprenticeships typically lead to journeyman-level wages.

63 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
62
Low End
63
Score
63
High End
Earnings $40,038/yr (9% vs median)
AI-Proof AI-Proof (89% shielded)
Job Market Large (40,100 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Year 1 Earnings
$40K
Reported median after graduation
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
92.1x
10-year earnings ÷ tuition
Viable Career Paths
1 of 1
Occupations with strong AI resilience
Program Tuition (In-State)
$4,550
Out-of-state: $17,750
Median Debt at Graduation
$5,500
1.6 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$38,382
Small cohort — data may not reflect typical outcomes

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

What can you do with a HVAC Technology credential from Chattanooga State Community College? Our career guide maps every occupation path with earnings and growth data.

Read the full HVAC Technology career guide →

Compare & Explore

HVAC Technology Overview

HVAC Technology at Other Schools

Other Majors at Chattanooga State Community College

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the TradeSchoolOutlook Score for HVAC Technology at Chattanooga State Community College?
This program scores 63/100, reflecting respectable but not exceptional financial outcomes for HVAC Technology graduates.
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. Chattanooga State Community College graduates retain 1 of 1 viable career paths even under conservative assumptions.
How affordable is HVAC Technology at Chattanooga State Community College?
Median debt of just $5,500 against $40,038/yr in starting salary means graduates can clear their loans in under 2 months. This is one of the more affordable paths in our dataset.
Is Chattanooga State Community College one of the best schools for HVAC Technology?
Ranked #33 of 260 programs nationally, Chattanooga State Community College lands in the top 25%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.
Can I learn HVAC Technology through an apprenticeship instead of Chattanooga State Community College?
Yes — 15 registered apprenticeship programs are mapped to HVAC Technology career paths, including Air & Hydronic Balancing Technician. Apprenticeships offer paid on-the-job training as an alternative or complement to a program at Chattanooga State Community College.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →