2027 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/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 28 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician students.
What’s on this page:
2027 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
Leading the list is Johnston Community College, our #1 best value for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician in North Carolina. Set in the town of Smithfield, Johnston Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,756, compared with $8,900 for out-of-state students. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cleveland Community College earned it the #2 place for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician. Set in the town of Shelby, Cleveland Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,602, with out-of-state students paying around $8,746. Typical student debt for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician graduates is $7,131. Early-career heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician graduates make about $39,891. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Wayne Community College came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician schools. 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. 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. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Robeson Community College earned it the #4 place for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician. Located in the town of Lumberton, Robeson Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $2,604 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,748. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $9,949 in student loans. Soon after graduation, heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician degree recipients from Robeson Community College generally make around $52,951. That is a strong return on a $9,949 median debt.
A rank of #5 makes Rockingham Community College one of the best values for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician. 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. 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. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.
Central Piedmont Community College ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician schools. Located in the city of Charlotte, Central Piedmont Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,792 in tuition and fees, 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. Soon after graduation, heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician degree recipients from Central Piedmont Community College generally make around $40,629. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of The Albemarle came in at #7 for value in heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician this year. Set in the town of Elizabeth City, College Of The Albemarle is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,242 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,652 for out-of-state students. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $10,240 in student loans. Soon after graduation, heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician degree recipients from College Of The Albemarle generally make around $50,506. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Sampson Community College landed the #8 spot for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician value this year. Set in the town of Clinton, Sampson Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,877, while out-of-state students pay about $9,789. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $12,596 in student loans. Soon after graduation, heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician degree recipients from Sampson Community College generally make around $45,929. That is a strong return on a $12,596 median debt.
Vance Granville Community College ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician schools. Vance Granville Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Henderson. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,944, with out-of-state students paying around $6,552. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $14,833 in student loans. Soon after graduation, heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician degree recipients from Vance Granville Community College generally make around $43,272. That is a strong return on a $14,833 median debt.
Fayetteville Technical Community College earned the #10 position for value in heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician this year. Fayetteville Technical Community College is a large public school located in the city of Fayetteville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,628, while out-of-state students pay about $8,772. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $12,273 in student loans. Soon after graduation, heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician degree recipients from Fayetteville Technical Community College generally make around $40,584. Set against $12,273 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Richmond Community College placed #11 among the best values for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician. Set in the town of Hamlet, Richmond Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,956, compared with $6,564 for out-of-state students. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $8,407 in student loans. Soon after graduation, heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician degree recipients from Richmond Community College generally make around $46,757. That is a strong return on a $8,407 median debt.
Surry Community College placed #12 among the best values for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $8,812. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $9,537 in student loans. Early-career heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician graduates make about $47,188. Set against $9,537 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Stanly Community College landed the #13 spot for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician value this year. Located in the town of Albemarle, Stanly Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,672, compared with $8,816 for out-of-state students. Soon after graduation, heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician degree recipients from Stanly Community College generally make around $41,920.
Roanoke Chowan Community College came in at #14 for value in heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician this year. Roanoke Chowan Community College is a small public school located in the rural area of Ahoskie. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,642, while out-of-state students pay about $8,786. Graduates go on to earn a median of $29,324 ten years after entry.
Gaston College landed the #15 spot for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician value this year. Gaston College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Dallas. Students from in state pay about $3,186 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,330 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician graduates is $10,915. Early-career heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician graduates make about $39,937. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Alamance Community College ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician schools. Set in the suburb of Graham, Alamance Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,592, with out-of-state students paying around $8,736. Students borrow a median of $6,625 to complete the heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician program here. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/technician graduates of Alamance Community College earn a median of $37,585 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Forsyth Technical Community College ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician schools. Set in the city of Winston-Salem, Forsyth Technical Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/technician graduates of Forsyth Technical Community College earn a median of $38,094 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
South Piedmont Community College earned the #18 position for value in heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician this year. Set in the rural area of Polkton, South Piedmont Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,022 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,630. Students borrow a median of $10,098 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 South Piedmont Community College generally make around $39,321. That is a strong return on a $10,098 median debt.
Pitt Community College ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician schools. Located in the suburb of Winterville, Pitt Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,871, compared with $13,087 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,741 to complete the heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician program here. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/technician graduates of Pitt Community College earn a median of $43,022 early in their careers. Set against $19,741 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rowan Cabarrus Community College earned the #20 position for value in heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician this year. Set in the suburb of Salisbury, Rowan Cabarrus Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,064 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,672. Typical student debt for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician graduates is $10,867. Early-career heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician graduates make about $34,351. Set against $10,867 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Davidson County Community College ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician schools. Davidson County Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Thomasville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,980, with out-of-state students paying around $6,588. Typical student debt for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician graduates is $16,693. Soon after graduation, heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician degree recipients from Davidson County Community College generally make around $46,491. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Wake Technical Community College landed the #22 spot for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician value this year. Wake Technical Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Raleigh. Students from in state pay about $2,254 in tuition and fees, 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. Soon after graduation, heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician degree recipients from Wake Technical Community College generally make around $38,673. Set against $17,900 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Coastal Carolina Community College placed #23 among the best values for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician. Located in the city of Jacksonville, Coastal Carolina Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,512, with out-of-state students paying around $8,656. Students borrow a median of $7,125 to complete the heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician program here. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/technician graduates of Coastal Carolina Community College earn a median of $37,831 early in their careers. Set against $7,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cape Fear Community College landed the #24 spot for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician value this year. Set in the city of Wilmington, Cape Fear Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,748, while out-of-state students pay about $8,892. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $12,388 in student loans. Early-career heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician graduates make about $42,889. That is a strong return on a $12,388 median debt.
Catawba Valley Community College landed the #25 spot for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician value this year. Located in the city of Hickory, Catawba Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,427, while out-of-state students pay about $7,803. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $9,842 in student loans. Early-career heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician graduates make about $38,219. Set against $9,842 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rest of the Top 28 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:
More Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician Rankings
View All Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 28 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 28 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.
