2026 Best Value Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician Schools in North Carolina
[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/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 38 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 North Carolina
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician Schools
For return on investment in heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician, no school beat Cleveland Community College this year. Cleveland Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Shelby. Students from in state pay about $2,602 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,746. Students borrow a median of $7,131 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 $39,891. Set against $7,131 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Central Piedmont Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Charlotte, Central Piedmont Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,792, compared with $8,936 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician graduates is $11,861. Early-career heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician graduates make about $40,629. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rockingham Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the rural area of Wentworth, Rockingham Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,966, with out-of-state students paying around $6,574. Students borrow a median of $5,500 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 $50,048. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician will find it at Johnston Community College, which ranked #4. Johnston Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Smithfield. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,756, with out-of-state students paying around $8,900. Typical student debt for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician graduates is $9,490. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/technician graduates of Johnston Community College earn a median of $37,472 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,490 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician will find it at Martin Community College, which ranked #5. Martin Community College is a small public school located in the town of Williamston. In-state tuition and fees average $2,523, compared with $8,667 for out-of-state students. Early-career heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician graduates make about $42,820.
Fayetteville Technical Community College placed #6 among the best values for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician. Set in the city of Fayetteville, Fayetteville Technical Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,628, compared with $8,772 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician graduates is $12,273. Early-career heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician graduates make about $40,584. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Sampson Community College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician schools. Set in the town of Clinton, Sampson Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,877, compared with $9,789 for out-of-state students. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $12,596 in student loans. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/technician graduates of Sampson Community College earn a median of $45,929 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,596 median debt.
Wayne Community College placed #8 among the best values for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician. Located in the city of Goldsboro, Wayne Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $2,566 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,710 for out-of-state students. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Early-career heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician graduates make about $33,116. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.
South Piedmont Community College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician schools. Located in the rural area of Polkton, South Piedmont Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,022, while out-of-state students pay about $6,630. Typical student debt for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician graduates is $10,098. Early-career heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician graduates make about $39,321. That is a strong return on a $10,098 median debt.
Southeastern Community College Whiteville came in at #10 for value in heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician this year. Located in the rural area of Whiteville, Southeastern Community College Whiteville is a small public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,600, while out-of-state students pay about $8,744. Typical student debt for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician graduates is $10,188. Soon after graduation, heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician degree recipients from Southeastern Community College Whiteville generally make around $65,328. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Surry Community College came in at #11 for value in heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician this year. Set in the rural area of Dobson, Surry Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,668, with out-of-state students paying around $8,812. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $9,537 in student loans. Soon after graduation, heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician degree recipients from Surry Community College generally make around $47,188. Set against $9,537 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of The Albemarle landed the #12 spot for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician value this year. Located in the town of Elizabeth City, College Of The Albemarle is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $2,242 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,652. Students borrow a median of $10,240 to complete the heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician program here. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/technician graduates of College Of The Albemarle earn a median of $50,506 early in their careers. Set against $10,240 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rowan Cabarrus Community College placed #13 among the best values for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician. Rowan Cabarrus Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Salisbury. In-state tuition and fees average $2,064, while out-of-state students pay about $6,672. Students borrow a median of $10,867 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 $34,351. That is a strong return on a $10,867 median debt.
Robeson Community College earned the #14 position for value in heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician this year. Set in the town of Lumberton, Robeson Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,604, compared with $8,748 for out-of-state students. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $9,949 in student loans. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/technician graduates of Robeson Community College earn a median of $52,951 early in their careers. Set against $9,949 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Gaston College earned the #15 position for value in heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician this year. Located in the suburb of Dallas, Gaston College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,186 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,330 for out-of-state students. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $10,915 in student loans. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/technician graduates of Gaston College earn a median of $39,937 early in their careers. Set against $10,915 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cape Fear Community College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician schools. Set in the city of Wilmington, Cape Fear Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,748, while out-of-state students pay about $8,892. Students borrow a median of $12,388 to complete the heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician program here. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/technician graduates of Cape Fear Community College earn a median of $42,889 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,388 median debt.
Mitchell Community College came in at #17 for value in heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician this year. Mitchell Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Statesville. Students from in state pay about $2,651 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,795 for out-of-state students. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $6,313 in student loans. Soon after graduation, heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician degree recipients from Mitchell Community College generally make around $40,450. Set against $6,313 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Forsyth Technical Community College came in at #18 for value in heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician this year. Forsyth Technical Community College is a large public school located in the city of Winston-Salem. In-state tuition and fees average $2,276, with out-of-state students paying around $6,884. Typical student debt for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician graduates is $16,374. Early-career heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician graduates make about $38,094. Set against $16,374 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Richmond Community College came in at #19 for value in heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician this year. Richmond Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Hamlet. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,956, compared with $6,564 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician graduates is $8,407. Early-career heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician graduates make about $46,757. Set against $8,407 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Wake Technical Community College came in at #20 for value in heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician this year. Set in the suburb of Raleigh, Wake Technical Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,254, with out-of-state students paying around $6,862. Typical student debt for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician graduates is $17,900. Early-career heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician graduates make about $38,673. Set against $17,900 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Davidson County Community College placed #21 among the best values for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician. Set in the rural area of Thomasville, Davidson County Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,980, with out-of-state students paying around $6,588. Students borrow a median of $16,693 to complete the heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician program here. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/technician graduates of Davidson County Community College earn a median of $46,491 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Pitt Community College ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician schools. Set in the suburb of Winterville, Pitt Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,871, compared with $13,087 for out-of-state students. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $19,741 in student loans. Early-career heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician graduates make about $43,022. That is a strong return on a $19,741 median debt.
Montgomery Community College landed the #23 spot for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician value this year. Montgomery Community College is a small public school located in the rural area of Troy. Students from in state pay about $2,538 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,682. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/technician graduates of Montgomery Community College earn a median of $38,983 early in their careers.
Coastal Carolina Community College landed the #24 spot for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician value this year. Located in the city of Jacksonville, Coastal Carolina Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,512, compared with $8,656 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,125 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 $37,831. Set against $7,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Roanoke Chowan Community College landed the #25 spot for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician value this year. Located in the rural area of Ahoskie, Roanoke Chowan Community College is a small public university. Students from in state pay about $2,642 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,786. Median earnings reach $29,324 ten years out.
Rest of the Top 28 Best Value Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician value ranking:
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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 · 38 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 3 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.
