2026 Best Value Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration Schools in Pennsylvania
[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.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 32 schools to find the best return on investment for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration students.
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2026 Best Value Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration Schools in Pennsylvania
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration Schools
Our analysis ranked Thaddeus Stevens College Of Technology the best value for a degree in heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration in Pennsylvania. Set in the city of Lancaster, Thaddeus Stevens College Of Technology is a small public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $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.
A rank of #2 makes Westmoreland County Community College one of the best values for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration. Westmoreland County Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Youngwood. In-state tuition and fees average $6,306, compared with $14,728 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration graduates is $11,000. Graduates go on to earn a median of $37,439 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Delaware County Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Media, Delaware County Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,930, compared with $15,540 for out-of-state students. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration graduates carry a median of $14,866 in student loans. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration 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.
Students looking for strong value in heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration will find it at Community College Of Allegheny County, which ranked #4. 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, compared with $12,583 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,263 to complete the heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration program here. Soon after graduation, heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration degree recipients from Community College Of Allegheny County generally make around $47,420. Set against $15,263 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Luzerne County Community College earned it the #5 place for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration. Set in the suburb of Nanticoke, Luzerne County Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,600 in tuition and fees, compared with $16,260 for out-of-state students. 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. Set against $14,614 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
New Castle School Of Trades earned the #6 position 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. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration graduates carry a median of $9,219 in student loans. Early-career heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration graduates make about $37,681. Set against $9,219 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration schools. Located in the city of Harrisburg, Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,975, compared with $12,472 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration graduates is $20,867. Soon after graduation, heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration degree recipients from Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg generally make around $41,382. Set against $20,867 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
York County School Of Technology Adult And Continuing Education ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration schools. Set in the suburb of York, York County School Of Technology Adult And Continuing Education is a small public institution. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration graduates carry a median of $14,894 in student loans. Early-career heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration graduates make about $47,870. Set against $14,894 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rosedale Technical Institute ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration schools. Set in the suburb of Pittsburgh, Rosedale Technical Institute is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,402. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete the heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration program here. Early-career heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration graduates make about $41,126. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 75%.
Greater Altoona Career And Technology Center placed #10 among the best values for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration. 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 program here. Soon after graduation, heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration degree recipients from Greater Altoona Career And Technology Center generally make around $47,891. That is a strong return on a $17,867 median debt.
Greater Johnstown Career And Technology Center came in at #11 for value in heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration this year. Set in the rural area of Johnstown, Greater Johnstown Career And Technology Center is a small public institution. Students borrow a median of $17,690 to complete the heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration program here. 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.
Orleans Technical Institute earned the #12 position for value in heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration this year. Located in the city of Philadelphia, Orleans Technical Institute is a small private not-for-profit university. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration graduates carry a median of $7,521 in student loans. Soon after graduation, heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration degree recipients from Orleans Technical Institute generally make around $37,848. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
All State Career School Pittsburgh placed #13 among the best values for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration. Set in the suburb of West Mifflin, All State Career School Pittsburgh is a small private for-profit institution. Students borrow a median of $13,000 to complete the heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration program here. Early-career heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration graduates make about $30,110. Set against $13,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Yti Career Institute York landed the #14 spot for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration value this year. Located in the suburb of York, Yti Career Institute York is a small private for-profit university. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration graduates carry a median of $9,212 in student loans. Early-career heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration graduates make about $44,157. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Johnson College earned the #15 position for value in heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration this year. Located in the city of Scranton, Johnson College is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $21,225. Students borrow a median of $16,083 to complete the heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration program here. Soon after graduation, heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration degree recipients from Johnson College generally make around $40,883. Set against $16,083 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
Fortis Institute Forty Fort landed the #16 spot for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration value this year. Set in the suburb of Forty Fort, Fortis Institute Forty Fort is a small private for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,955. Students borrow a median of $10,342 to complete the heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $30,224. That is a strong return on a $10,342 median debt.
All State Career School Lester came in at #17 for value in heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration this year. All State Career School Lester is a small private for-profit school located in the suburb of Essington. Typical student debt for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration graduates is $13,000. Early-career heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration graduates make about $33,283. That is a strong return on a $13,000 median debt.
Pennco Tech Bristol came in at #18 for value in heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration this year. Located in the suburb of Bristol, Pennco Tech Bristol is a small private for-profit university. Typical student debt for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration graduates is $13,000. Early-career heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration graduates make about $38,417. Set against $13,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Pennsylvania College Of Technology landed the #19 spot for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration value this year. Located in the city of Williamsport, Pennsylvania College Of Technology is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,940, while out-of-state students pay about $25,680. Typical student debt for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration graduates is $13,975. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration graduates of Pennsylvania College Of Technology earn a median of $51,770 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,975 median debt.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 32 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 7 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.
