2026 Best Value Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
[Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration](/majors/mechanical-repair-technologies/heating-air-conditioning-ventilation-refrigeration/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 60 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration schools.
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2026 Best Value Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration Schools
Suffolk County Community College earned the #1 spot for value among heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration schools in the Middle Atlantic Region. Set in the suburb of Selden, Suffolk County Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,630 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,460. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration graduates carry a median of $11,246 in student loans. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration graduates of Suffolk County Community College earn a median of $35,667 early in their careers. Set against $11,246 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #2 makes Erie Community College one of the best values for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration. Erie Community College is a large public school located in the city of Buffalo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,100, while out-of-state students pay about $11,300. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration graduates carry a median of $6,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration degree recipients from Erie Community College generally make around $29,804. Set against $6,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration will find it at Monroe Community College, which ranked #3. Located in the suburb of Rochester, Monroe Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,006, while out-of-state students pay about $11,056. Typical student debt for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration graduates is $12,921. Soon after graduation, heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration degree recipients from Monroe Community College generally make around $54,241. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration will find it at Hudson Valley Community College, which ranked #4. Hudson Valley Community College is a large public school located in the city of Troy. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,796, compared with $11,852 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration graduates is $12,000. Early-career heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration graduates make about $47,134. Set against $12,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Westmoreland County Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Youngwood, Westmoreland County Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,306, with out-of-state students paying around $14,728. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. Median earnings reach $37,439 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Thaddeus Stevens College Of Technology ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration schools. Located in the city of Lancaster, Thaddeus Stevens College Of Technology is a small public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,050. Students borrow a median of $10,096 to complete the heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration program here. Soon after graduation, heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration degree recipients from Thaddeus Stevens College Of Technology generally make around $41,954. That is a strong return on a $10,096 median debt. Thaddeus Stevens College Of Technology admits about 71% of applicants.
Delaware County Community College earned the #7 position for value in heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration this year. Set in the suburb of Media, Delaware County Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,930, compared with $15,540 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration graduates is $14,866. Early-career heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration graduates make about $40,102. That is a strong return on a $14,866 median debt.
Delaware Technical Community College Terry earned the #8 position for value in heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration this year. Set in the city of Dover, Delaware Technical Community College Terry is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,332, while out-of-state students pay about $5,763. Typical student debt for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration graduates is $11,154. Soon after graduation, heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration degree recipients from Delaware Technical Community College Terry generally make around $43,322. That is a strong return on a $11,154 median debt.
Community College Of Allegheny County came in at #9 for value in heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration this year. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, Community College Of Allegheny County is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,956, with out-of-state students paying around $12,583. Typical student debt for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration graduates is $15,263. Soon after graduation, heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration degree recipients from Community College Of Allegheny County generally make around $47,420. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Luzerne County Community College landed the #10 spot for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration value this year. Located in the suburb of Nanticoke, Luzerne County Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $6,600 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $16,260. Typical student debt for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration graduates is $14,614. Soon after graduation, heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration degree recipients from Luzerne County Community College generally make around $44,353. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Suny College Of Technology At Alfred came in at #11 for value in heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration this year. Suny College Of Technology At Alfred is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Alfred. Students from in state pay about $8,892 in tuition and fees, compared with $16,837 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration graduates is $12,000. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration graduates of Suny College Of Technology At Alfred earn a median of $42,992 early in their careers. Set against $12,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
New Castle School Of Trades came in at #12 for value in heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration this year. Located in the town of New Castle, New Castle School Of Trades is a small private for-profit university. Students borrow a median of $9,219 to complete the heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration program here. Early-career heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration graduates make about $37,681. That is a strong return on a $9,219 median debt.
Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration schools. Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg is a large public school located in the city of Harrisburg. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,975, with out-of-state students paying around $12,472. Typical student debt for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration graduates is $20,867. Early-career heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration graduates make about $41,382. That is a strong return on a $20,867 median debt.
York County School Of Technology Adult And Continuing Education placed #14 among the best values for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration. 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 graduates carry a median of $14,894 in student loans. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration graduates of York County School Of Technology Adult And Continuing Education earn a median of $47,870 early in their careers. Set against $14,894 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rosedale Technical Institute came in at #15 for value in heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration this year. Rosedale Technical Institute is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Pittsburgh. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,402. Typical student debt for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration graduates is $12,000. Soon after graduation, heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration degree recipients from Rosedale Technical Institute generally make around $41,126. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Rosedale Technical Institute admits about 75% of applicants.
Ocean County Vocational Technical School ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration schools. Set in the suburb of Toms River, Ocean County Vocational Technical School is a small public institution. Early-career heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration graduates make about $27,482.
Greater Altoona Career And Technology Center came in at #17 for value in heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration this year. Located in the city of Altoona, Greater Altoona Career And Technology Center is a small public university. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration graduates carry a median of $17,867 in student loans. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration graduates of Greater Altoona Career And Technology Center earn a median of $47,891 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,867 median debt.
Suny College Of Technology At Delhi placed #18 among the best values for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration. Suny College Of Technology At Delhi is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Delhi. Students from in state pay about $8,772 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,762. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration graduates carry a median of $20,303 in student loans. Early-career heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration graduates make about $48,647. That is a strong return on a $20,303 median debt. The acceptance rate is 89%.
North American Trade Schools earned the #19 position for value in heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration this year. Located in the suburb of Baltimore, North American Trade Schools is a small private for-profit university. Typical student debt for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration graduates is $10,329. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration graduates of North American Trade Schools earn a median of $36,464 early in their careers. 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. Greater Johnstown Career And Technology Center is a small public school located in the rural area of Johnstown. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration graduates carry a median of $17,690 in student loans. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration graduates of Greater Johnstown Career And Technology Center earn a median of $38,904 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,690 median debt.
Adult And Continuing Education Bcts earned the #21 position for value in heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration this year. Located in the suburb of Hackensack, Adult And Continuing Education Bcts is a small public university. Students borrow a median of $6,179 to complete the heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration program here. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration graduates of Adult And Continuing Education Bcts earn a median of $44,000 early in their careers. Set against $6,179 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Onondaga Cortland Madison Boces earned the #22 position for value in heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration this year. Set in the suburb of Liverpool, Onondaga Cortland Madison Boces is a small public institution. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration graduates carry a median of $7,422 in student loans. Soon after graduation, heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration degree recipients from Onondaga Cortland Madison Boces generally make around $42,145. Set against $7,422 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
All State Career School Pittsburgh placed #23 among the best values for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration. Located in the suburb of West Mifflin, All State Career School Pittsburgh is a small private for-profit university. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration graduates carry a median of $13,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration degree recipients from All State Career School Pittsburgh generally make around $30,110. Set against $13,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Apex Technical School landed the #24 spot for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration value this year. Set in the city of Long Island City, Apex Technical School is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students borrow a median of $9,500 to complete the heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration program here. Soon after graduation, heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration 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 came in at #25 for value in heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration this year. 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 graduates is $9,212. Early-career heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration graduates make about $44,157. That is a strong return on a $9,212 median debt.
Rest of the Top 37 Best Value Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration this year:
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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.
