2027 Best Value Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration Schools in North Carolina
[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. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 28 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration students.
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2027 Best Value Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration Schools in North Carolina
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
Johnston Community College earned the #1 spot for value among heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration schools in North Carolina. Located in the town of Smithfield, Johnston Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,756, while out-of-state students pay about $8,900. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration graduates carry a median of $9,490 in student loans. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration 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.
Students looking for strong value in heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration will find it at Cleveland Community College, which ranked #2. Located in the town of Shelby, Cleveland Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $2,602 in tuition and fees, 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.
A rank of #3 makes Wayne Community College one of the best values for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration. Set in the city of Goldsboro, Wayne Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,566, while out-of-state students pay about $8,710. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration program here. Soon after graduation, heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration degree recipients from Wayne Community College generally make around $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. 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. Students borrow a median of $9,949 to complete the heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration program here. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration graduates of Robeson Community College earn a median of $52,951 early in their careers. 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. Set in the rural area of Wentworth, Rockingham Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,966, compared with $6,574 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration graduates is $5,500. Soon after graduation, heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration degree recipients from Rockingham Community College generally make around $50,048. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.
Central Piedmont Community College earned the #6 position for value in heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration this year. Central Piedmont Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Charlotte. Students from in state pay about $2,792 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,936. Typical student debt for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration graduates is $11,861. Early-career heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration graduates make about $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 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, with out-of-state students paying around $7,652. Students borrow a median of $10,240 to complete the heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration program here. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration graduates of College Of The Albemarle earn a median of $50,506 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,240 median debt.
Sampson Community College ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration schools. Set in the town of Clinton, Sampson Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,877 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,789 for out-of-state students. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration graduates carry a median of $12,596 in student loans. 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.
Vance Granville Community College placed #9 among the best values for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration. Located in the town of Henderson, Vance Granville Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,944, while out-of-state students pay about $6,552. Typical student debt for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration graduates is $14,833. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration graduates of Vance Granville Community College earn a median of $43,272 early in their careers. Set against $14,833 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Fayetteville Technical Community College ranked #10 on our 2027 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, with out-of-state students paying around $8,772. Typical student debt for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration graduates is $12,273. Soon after graduation, heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration degree recipients from Fayetteville Technical Community College generally make around $40,584. That is a strong return on a $12,273 median debt.
Richmond Community College came in at #11 for value in heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration 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. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration graduates carry a median of $8,407 in student loans. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration graduates of Richmond Community College earn a median of $46,757 early in their careers. Set against $8,407 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Surry Community College placed #12 among the best values for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration. Located in the rural area of Dobson, Surry Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $2,668 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,812 for out-of-state students. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration graduates carry a median of $9,537 in student loans. Soon after graduation, heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration degree recipients from Surry Community College generally make around $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 value this year. Set in the town of Albemarle, Stanly Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,672, compared with $8,816 for out-of-state students. Early-career heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration graduates make about $41,920.
Roanoke Chowan Community College came in at #14 for value in heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration this year. Roanoke Chowan Community College is a small public school located in the rural area of Ahoskie. Students from in state pay about $2,642 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,786 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $29,324 ten years after entry.
Gaston College ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration schools. Located in the suburb of Dallas, Gaston College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,186, while out-of-state students pay about $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. 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 schools. Located in the suburb of Graham, Alamance Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,592, compared with $8,736 for out-of-state students. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration graduates carry a median of $6,625 in student loans. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration graduates of Alamance Community College earn a median of $37,585 early in their careers. Set against $6,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Forsyth Technical Community College ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration schools. Located in the city of Winston-Salem, Forsyth Technical Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,276 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,884 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration graduates is $16,374. Soon after graduation, heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration degree recipients from Forsyth Technical Community College generally make around $38,094. 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 this year. South Piedmont Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Polkton. Students from in state pay about $2,022 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,630. Typical student debt for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration graduates is $10,098. Soon after graduation, heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration degree recipients from South Piedmont Community College generally make around $39,321. Set against $10,098 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Pitt Community College earned the #19 position for value in heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration this year. Pitt Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Winterville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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 program here. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration 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 ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration schools. Set in the suburb of Salisbury, Rowan Cabarrus Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. 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 program here. Soon after graduation, heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration degree recipients from Rowan Cabarrus Community College generally make around $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 schools. Set in the rural area of Thomasville, Davidson County Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,980, while out-of-state students pay about $6,588. Typical student debt for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration graduates is $16,693. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration graduates of Davidson County Community College earn a median of $46,491 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,693 median debt.
Wake Technical Community College placed #22 among the best values for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration. 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, compared with $6,862 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration graduates is $17,900. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration graduates of Wake Technical Community College earn a median of $38,673 early in their careers. Set against $17,900 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Coastal Carolina Community College landed the #23 spot for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration value this year. Located in the city of Jacksonville, Coastal Carolina Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,512, while out-of-state students pay about $8,656. Typical student debt for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration graduates is $7,125. Early-career heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration graduates make about $37,831. That is a strong return on a $7,125 median debt.
Cape Fear Community College earned the #24 position for value in heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration this year. Located in the city of Wilmington, Cape Fear Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,748, while out-of-state students pay about $8,892. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration graduates carry a median of $12,388 in student loans. 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.
Catawba Valley Community College earned the #25 position for value in heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration this year. Located in the city of Hickory, Catawba Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $2,427 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,803. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration graduates carry a median of $9,842 in student loans. Early-career heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration graduates make about $38,219. That is a strong return on a $9,842 median debt.
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:
More Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration Rankings
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 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.
