Heating & Air Conditioning at Dunwoody College of Technology

Minneapolis, MN · Private nonprofit · Associate Degree · Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician (HAC, HACR, HVAC, HVACR)

Dunwoody College of Technology has a 98% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, with a smaller student body of 1,417 in Minneapolis, MN.

Program Analysis

Graduates of Dunwoody College of Technology's Heating & Air Conditioning program earn $47,076/yr in their first year — 28% above the $36,779 national median, a strong market signal for this institution.

With a 16.1x return on tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

Career paths for Heating & Air Conditioning carry above-average AI exposure (11% of tasks). The 40% scenario spread means the difference between optimistic and pessimistic outcomes is substantial.

At $17,500 in median debt against $47,076 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance quickly — a hallmark of affordable trade programs.

A #123 ranking among 260 Heating & Air Conditioning programs places Dunwoody College of Technology in the middle-to-upper range. Solid, not exceptional.

The $47,076-to-$75,444 earnings arc over five years reflects a 60% gain — well above average career growth for trade school graduates.

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

50 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
46
Low End
50
Score
50
High End
Earnings $47,076/yr (28% vs median)
AI-Proof AI-Proof (89% shielded)
Job Market Large (40,100 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$826K
12.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple
16.1x
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
$51,318
Median Debt at Graduation
$17,500
4.5 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$75,444
60% 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

How does Dunwoody College of Technology's Heating & Air Conditioning program score?
A score of 50/100 puts this program in competitive territory — solid outcomes, though not at the top of the Heating & Air Conditioning field.
How safe is Heating & Air Conditioning from automation?
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.
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 →