Heating & Air Conditioning at Delgado Community College

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

serving 11,182 students in New Orleans, LA.

Program Analysis

Delgado Community College's Heating & Air Conditioning program produces graduates earning $32,550/yr — within striking distance of the $36,779 national average for this trade.

With a 72.8x 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.

At $19,000 against $32,550/yr in earnings, the debt burden is moderate. Most graduates should manage repayment without extended financial strain.

Delgado Community College ranks #57 among 260 Heating & Air Conditioning programs, placing it in the top 5% nationally by our financial outcomes measure.

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

56 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
56
Low End
56
Score
56
High End
Earnings $32,550/yr (-11% vs median)
AI-Proof AI-Proof (89% shielded)
Job Market Large (40,100 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$341K
1.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple
72.8x
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
$4,678
Median Debt at Graduation
$19,000
7.0 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

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Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 56/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Heating & Air Conditioning at Delgado Community College?
A score of 56/100 puts this program in competitive territory — solid outcomes, though not at the top of the Heating & Air Conditioning field.
How AI-proof is a career in Heating & Air Conditioning?
This is one of the more automation-resistant trades. Heating & Air Conditioning work requires physical skill and on-site presence — qualities AI cannot provide. Our model rates it "AI-Proof" overall.
Is Delgado Community College one of the best schools for Heating & Air Conditioning?
The #57 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?
Yes — 15 registered apprenticeship programs are mapped to Heating & Air Conditioning career paths, including Air & Hydronic Balancing Technician. Apprenticeships offer paid on-the-job training as an alternative or complement to certificate programs.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →