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2026 Best Value Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration Schools in North Carolina

3 Colleges in the United States
$11,484 Avg Student Debt
$34,185 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration Badge [Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration](/majors/mechanical-repair-technologies/heating-air-conditioning-ventilation-refrigeration/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.

College Factual analyzed 38 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration schools.

What’s on this page:

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2026 Best Value Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration Schools in North Carolina

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

1

Cleveland Community College earned the #1 spot for value among heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration schools in North Carolina. Cleveland Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Shelby. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,602, while out-of-state students pay about $8,746. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration graduates carry a median of $7,131 in student loans. Early-career heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration graduates make about $39,891. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

2

A rank of #2 makes Central Piedmont Community College one of the best values for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration. Located in the city of Charlotte, Central Piedmont Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,792, while out-of-state students pay about $8,936. Students borrow a median of $11,861 to complete the heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration program here. Early-career heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration graduates make about $40,629. Set against $11,861 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

3

Rockingham Community College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration schools. Set in the rural area of Wentworth, Rockingham Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,966, with out-of-state students paying around $6,574. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration graduates of Rockingham Community College earn a median of $50,048 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.

4

Students looking for strong value in heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration will find it at Johnston Community College, which ranked #4. Set in the town of Smithfield, Johnston Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,756 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,900. Typical student debt for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration graduates is $9,490. Soon after graduation, heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration degree recipients from Johnston Community College generally make around $37,472. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

5
Martin Community College crest
Martin Community College
Williamston, NC

Martin Community College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration schools. Set in the town of Williamston, Martin Community College is a small public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,523, with out-of-state students paying around $8,667. Soon after graduation, heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration degree recipients from Martin Community College generally make around $42,820.

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6

Fayetteville Technical Community College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration schools. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $8,772. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration graduates carry a median of $12,273 in student loans. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration graduates of Fayetteville Technical Community College earn a median of $40,584 early in their careers. Set against $12,273 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

7

Sampson Community College earned the #7 position for value in heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration this year. Located in the town of Clinton, Sampson Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,877, with out-of-state students paying around $9,789. Typical student debt for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration graduates is $12,596. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration graduates of Sampson Community College earn a median of $45,929 early in their careers. Set against $12,596 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

8

Wayne Community College earned the #8 position for value in heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration this year. Located in the city of Goldsboro, Wayne Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,566, while out-of-state students pay about $8,710. Typical student debt for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration graduates is $5,500. Early-career heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration graduates make about $33,116. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.

9

South Piedmont Community College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration schools. South Piedmont Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Polkton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,022, while out-of-state students pay about $6,630. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration graduates carry a median of $10,098 in student loans. Early-career heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration graduates make about $39,321. That is a strong return on a $10,098 median debt.

10

Southeastern Community College Whiteville placed #10 among the best values for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration. Located in the rural area of Whiteville, Southeastern Community College Whiteville is a small public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,600, while out-of-state students pay about $8,744. Students borrow a median of $10,188 to complete the heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration program here. Early-career heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration graduates make about $65,328. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

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11

Surry Community College landed the #11 spot for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration value this year. Located in the rural area of Dobson, Surry Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,668, while out-of-state students pay about $8,812. Students borrow a median of $9,537 to complete the heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration program here. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration graduates of Surry Community College earn a median of $47,188 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

12
College Of The Albemarle crest
College Of The Albemarle
Elizabeth City, NC

College Of The Albemarle came in at #12 for value in heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration this year. College Of The Albemarle is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Elizabeth City. In-state tuition and fees average $2,242, while out-of-state students pay about $7,652. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration graduates carry a median of $10,240 in student loans. Early-career heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration graduates make about $50,506. That is a strong return on a $10,240 median debt.

13

Rowan Cabarrus Community College came in at #13 for value in heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration this year. Rowan Cabarrus Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Salisbury. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,064, compared with $6,672 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,867 to complete the heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration program here. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration graduates of Rowan Cabarrus Community College earn a median of $34,351 early in their careers. Set against $10,867 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

14

Robeson Community College placed #14 among the best values for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration. Located in the town of Lumberton, Robeson Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,604, while out-of-state students pay about $8,748. Typical student debt for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration graduates is $9,949. Soon after graduation, heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration degree recipients from Robeson Community College generally make around $52,951. That is a strong return on a $9,949 median debt.

15
Gaston College crest
Gaston College
Dallas, NC

Gaston College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration schools. Set in the suburb of Dallas, Gaston College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,186, with out-of-state students paying around $9,330. Students borrow a median of $10,915 to complete the heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration program here. Early-career heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration graduates make about $39,937. That is a strong return on a $10,915 median debt.

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16

Cape Fear Community College came in at #16 for value in heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration this year. Set in the city of Wilmington, Cape Fear Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,748 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,892 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration graduates is $12,388. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration graduates of Cape Fear Community College earn a median of $42,889 early in their careers. Set against $12,388 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

17

Mitchell Community College earned the #17 position for value in heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration 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, with out-of-state students paying around $8,795. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration graduates carry a median of $6,313 in student loans. Early-career heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration graduates make about $40,450. That is a strong return on a $6,313 median debt.

18

Forsyth Technical Community College placed #18 among the best values for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration. Located in the city of Winston-Salem, Forsyth Technical Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,276, compared with $6,884 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,374 to complete the heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration program here. Early-career heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration graduates make about $38,094. That is a strong return on a $16,374 median debt.

19

Richmond Community College landed the #19 spot for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration value this year. Set in the town of Hamlet, Richmond Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,956, with out-of-state students paying around $6,564. Typical student debt for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration graduates is $8,407. Early-career heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration graduates make about $46,757. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

20

Wake Technical Community College landed the #20 spot for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration value this year. Located in the suburb of Raleigh, Wake Technical Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,254, while out-of-state students pay about $6,862. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration graduates carry a median of $17,900 in student loans. Early-career heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration graduates make about $38,673. Set against $17,900 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

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21

Davidson County Community College placed #21 among the best values for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration. Set in the rural area of Thomasville, Davidson County Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,980, with out-of-state students paying around $6,588. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration graduates carry a median of $16,693 in student loans. Soon after graduation, heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration degree recipients from Davidson County Community College generally make around $46,491. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

22
Pitt Community College crest
Pitt Community College
Winterville, NC

Pitt Community College placed #22 among the best values for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration. Located in the suburb of Winterville, Pitt Community College is a large public university. 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 graduates carry a median of $19,741 in student loans. Early-career heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration graduates make about $43,022. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

23

Montgomery Community College ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration schools. Located in the rural area of Troy, Montgomery Community College is a small public university. Students from in state pay about $2,538 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,682. Early-career heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration graduates make about $38,983.

24

Coastal Carolina Community College landed the #24 spot for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration value this year. Located in the city of Jacksonville, Coastal Carolina Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,512, while out-of-state students pay about $8,656. Students borrow a median of $7,125 to complete the heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration program here. Soon after graduation, heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration degree recipients from Coastal Carolina Community College generally make around $37,831. That is a strong return on a $7,125 median debt.

25

Roanoke Chowan Community College earned the #25 position for value in heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration this year. Located in the rural area of Ahoskie, Roanoke Chowan Community College is a small public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,642, compared with $8,786 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $29,324.

Rest of the Top 28 Best Value Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration Schools

These schools also delivered strong value for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration this year:

26
27
28

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Notes and References

The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, 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.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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