HVAC Technology at InterCoast Colleges-Riverside

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

a compact campus enrolling 63 students in Riverside, CA.

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $38,137 track close to the $36,779 national median for HVAC Technology programs. This is a middle-of-the-road outcome on salary alone.

Some AI exposure exists in HVAC Technology's career paths, with 11% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 15% gap from the optimistic case.

At $9,500 in median debt against $38,137 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance quickly — a hallmark of affordable trade programs.

Ranked #133 of 260 HVAC Technology programs, InterCoast Colleges-Riverside falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Five-year earnings of $45,750 are relatively flat compared to the $38,137 starting salary — typical of trades with stable but capped salary bands.

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

50 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
48
Low End
50
Score
50
High End
Earnings $38,137/yr (4% vs median)
AI-Proof AI-Proof (89% shielded)
Job Market Large (40,100 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$472K
4.7% 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
3.0 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$45,750
20% growth from Year 1

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

Explore what HVAC Technology graduates do, from entry-level roles to long-term career paths across 260 programs nationwide.

Read the full HVAC Technology career guide →

Compare & Explore

HVAC Technology Overview

HVAC Technology at Other Schools

Other Majors at InterCoast Colleges-Riverside

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the TradeSchoolOutlook Score for HVAC Technology at InterCoast Colleges-Riverside?
This program scores 50/100 — a respectable number in isolation, but it ranks in the bottom half of HVAC Technology programs nationally. The field is competitive, and stronger options exist.
How safe is HVAC Technology from automation?
For InterCoast Colleges-Riverside graduates, AI risk is minimal. HVAC Technology rated "AI-Proof" — 89% of the work involves hands-on skills that current AI simply can't perform.
What's the typical debt for HVAC Technology graduates from InterCoast Colleges-Riverside?
Median debt of just $9,500 against $38,137/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.
What apprenticeship pathways exist for HVAC Technology graduates?
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 InterCoast Colleges-Riverside.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →