2026 Best Value Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region

[Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician](/majors/mechanical-repair-technologies/heating-air-conditioning-ventilation-refrigeration/heating-air-conditioning-ventilation-and-refrigeration-maintenance-technology-technician/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 60 schools to find the best return on investment for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician students.
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2026 Best Value Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician Schools
Our analysis ranked Suffolk County Community College the best value for a degree in heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician in the Middle Atlantic Region. Located in the suburb of Selden, Suffolk County Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,630 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,460. Typical student debt for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician graduates is $11,246. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/technician graduates of Suffolk County Community College earn a median of $35,667 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician will find it at Erie Community College, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Buffalo, Erie Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,100, compared with $11,300 for out-of-state students. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $6,500 in student loans. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/technician graduates of Erie Community College earn a median of $29,804 early in their careers. Set against $6,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #3 makes Monroe Community College one of the best values for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician. Set in the suburb of Rochester, Monroe Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,006, compared with $11,056 for out-of-state students. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $12,921 in student loans. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/technician graduates of Monroe Community College earn a median of $54,241 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #4 makes Hudson Valley Community College one of the best values for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician. Located in the city of Troy, Hudson Valley Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,796, compared with $11,852 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician graduates is $12,000. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/technician graduates of Hudson Valley Community College earn a median of $47,134 early in their careers. Set against $12,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Westmoreland County Community College earned it the #5 place for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician. Located in the suburb of Youngwood, Westmoreland County Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,306, with out-of-state students paying around $14,728. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $37,439 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $11,000 median debt.
Thaddeus Stevens College Of Technology placed #6 among the best values for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician. Set in the city of Lancaster, Thaddeus Stevens College Of Technology is a small public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,050 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician graduates is $10,096. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/technician graduates of Thaddeus Stevens College Of Technology earn a median of $41,954 early in their careers. Set against $10,096 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
Delaware County Community College earned the #7 position for value in heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician this year. Set in the suburb of Media, Delaware County Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,930 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,540. Typical student debt for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician graduates is $14,866. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/technician graduates of Delaware County Community College earn a median of $40,102 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,866 median debt.
Delaware Technical Community College Terry ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician schools. Located in the city of Dover, Delaware Technical Community College Terry is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,332 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,763. Typical student debt for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician graduates is $11,154. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/technician graduates of Delaware Technical Community College Terry earn a median of $43,322 early in their careers. Set against $11,154 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Community College Of Allegheny County placed #9 among the best values for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician. Community College Of Allegheny County is a large public school located in the city of Pittsburgh. In-state tuition and fees average $4,956, compared with $12,583 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,263 to complete the heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician program here. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/technician graduates of Community College Of Allegheny County earn a median of $47,420 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,263 median debt.
Luzerne County Community College came in at #10 for value in heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician this year. Luzerne County Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Nanticoke. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,600, while out-of-state students pay about $16,260. Students borrow a median of $14,614 to complete the heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician program here. Soon after graduation, heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician degree recipients from Luzerne County Community College generally make around $44,353. Set against $14,614 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Suny College Of Technology At Alfred came in at #11 for value in heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician this year. Suny College Of Technology At Alfred is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Alfred. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,892, while out-of-state students pay about $16,837. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete the heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician program here. Early-career heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician graduates make about $42,992. Set against $12,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Suny College Of Technology At Alfred admits about 76% of applicants.
New Castle School Of Trades ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician schools. Set in the town of New Castle, New Castle School Of Trades is a small private for-profit institution. Students borrow a median of $9,219 to complete the heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician program here. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/technician graduates of New Castle School Of Trades earn a median of $37,681 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg landed the #13 spot for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician value this year. Located in the city of Harrisburg, Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,975 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,472. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $20,867 in student loans. Soon after graduation, heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician degree recipients from Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg generally make around $41,382. That is a strong return on a $20,867 median debt.
York County School Of Technology Adult And Continuing Education came in at #14 for value in heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician this year. Located in the suburb of York, York County School Of Technology Adult And Continuing Education is a small public university. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $14,894 in student loans. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/technician graduates of York County School Of Technology Adult And Continuing Education earn a median of $47,870 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,894 median debt.
Rosedale Technical Institute earned the #15 position for value in heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician this year. Located in the suburb of Pittsburgh, Rosedale Technical Institute is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $17,402. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician degree recipients from Rosedale Technical Institute generally make around $41,126. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
Ocean County Vocational Technical School came in at #16 for value in heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician this year. Ocean County Vocational Technical School is a small public school located in the suburb of Toms River. Early-career heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician graduates make about $27,482.
Greater Altoona Career And Technology Center placed #17 among the best values for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician. Greater Altoona Career And Technology Center is a small public school located in the city of Altoona. Students borrow a median of $17,867 to complete the heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician program here. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/technician graduates of Greater Altoona Career And Technology Center earn a median of $47,891 early in their careers. Set against $17,867 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Suny College Of Technology At Delhi came in at #18 for value in heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician this year. Located in the rural area of Delhi, Suny College Of Technology At Delhi is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $8,772 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,762. Typical student debt for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician graduates is $20,303. Early-career heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician graduates make about $48,647. Set against $20,303 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Suny College Of Technology At Delhi admits about 89% of applicants.
North American Trade Schools landed the #19 spot for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician value this year. Set in the suburb of Baltimore, North American Trade Schools is a small private for-profit institution. Students borrow a median of $10,329 to complete the heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician program here. Early-career heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician graduates make about $36,464. Set against $10,329 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Greater Johnstown Career And Technology Center placed #20 among the best values for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician. Located in the rural area of Johnstown, Greater Johnstown Career And Technology Center is a small public university. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $17,690 in student loans. Early-career heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician graduates make about $38,904. Set against $17,690 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Adult And Continuing Education Bcts placed #21 among the best values for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician. Adult And Continuing Education Bcts is a small public school located in the suburb of Hackensack. Students borrow a median of $6,179 to complete the heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician program here. Soon after graduation, heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician degree recipients from Adult And Continuing Education Bcts generally make around $44,000. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Onondaga Cortland Madison Boces came in at #22 for value in heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician this year. Onondaga Cortland Madison Boces is a small public school located in the suburb of Liverpool. Students borrow a median of $7,422 to complete the heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician program here. Early-career heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician graduates make about $42,145. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
All State Career School Pittsburgh came in at #23 for value in heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician this year. Located in the suburb of West Mifflin, All State Career School Pittsburgh is a small private for-profit university. Students borrow a median of $13,000 to complete the heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician program here. Early-career heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician graduates make about $30,110. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Apex Technical School placed #24 among the best values for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician. Located in the city of Long Island City, Apex Technical School is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Typical student debt for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician graduates is $9,500. Soon after graduation, heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician degree recipients from Apex Technical School generally make around $36,136. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Yti Career Institute York placed #25 among the best values for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician. Set in the suburb of York, Yti Career Institute York is a small private for-profit institution. Typical student debt for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician graduates is $9,212. Early-career heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician graduates make about $44,157. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rest of the Top 37 Best Value Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician:
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 60 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 11 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.