Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician (HAC, HACR, HVAC, HVACR) at Fortis College-Columbus
Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma
Analysis
Fortis College-Columbus offers a competitively priced HVAC program, but graduates earn slightly less than what other Ohio schools deliver. At $35,785 one year out, earnings land at the 40th percentile among Ohio programs—below the state median of $36,981 and trailing competitors like Butler Technology ($41,108) and Eastland-Fairfield ($40,131) by $4,000-$5,000 annually. Nationally, the program sits right at the median, which reflects more on Ohio's strong HVAC market than on this school's particular outcomes.
The financial package partially offsets the earnings gap. With $13,000 in median debt—just above Ohio's typical $12,965—the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.36 is manageable for a skilled trade. Graduates can realistically pay this down within a few years, especially as earnings grow to $38,708 by year four. The 8% earnings growth suggests solid job stability in a field with consistent demand. For context, two-thirds of students here receive Pell grants, indicating the program serves students who need a quick path to employment rather than extended education.
The bottom line: This gets you into HVAC work without crushing debt, but several Ohio programs deliver $2,000-$5,000 more in starting salary for similar or lower debt loads. If Fortis College-Columbus is the most convenient option, the financial picture won't derail your child's finances. If other Ohio programs are equally accessible, those extra thousands in annual earnings add up significantly over a career.
Where Fortis College-Columbus Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all heating, air conditioning, ventilation and refrigeration maintenance technology/technician (hac, hacr, hvac, hvacr) certificate's programs nationally
Programs in the upper-left quadrant (high earnings, low debt) offer the best value. Programs in the lower-right quadrant warrant careful consideration.
Earnings Distribution
How Fortis College-Columbus graduates compare to all programs nationally
Fortis College-Columbus graduates earn $36k, placing them in the 50th percentile of all heating, air conditioning, ventilation and refrigeration maintenance technology/technician (hac, hacr, hvac, hvacr) certificate programs nationally.
Earnings Over Time
How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation
Earnings trajectories vary significantly. Some programs show strong early returns that plateau; others start lower but accelerate. Consider where you want to be at year 4, not just year 1.
Compare to Similar Programs in Ohio
Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician (HAC, HACR, HVAC, HVACR) certificate's programs at peer institutions in Ohio (32 total in state)
| School | Earnings (1yr) | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fortis College-Columbus | $35,785 | $38,708 | $13,000 | 0.36 |
| Butler Technology and Career Development Schools | $41,108 | — | $6,840 | 0.17 |
| Eastland-Fairfield Career and Technical Schools | $40,131 | $41,841 | $9,298 | 0.23 |
| Career and Technology Education Centers of Licking County | $38,833 | $38,474 | $9,430 | 0.24 |
| Ohio Business College-Sheffield | $37,743 | — | $12,416 | 0.33 |
| Fortis College-Cuyahoga Falls | $37,139 | $38,752 | $13,000 | 0.35 |
| National Median | $35,749 | — | $10,223 | 0.29 |
Other Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician (HAC, HACR, HVAC, HVACR) Programs in Ohio
Compare tuition, earnings, and debt across Ohio schools
| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr) | Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Butler Technology and Career Development Schools Monroe | — | $41,108 | $6,840 |
| Eastland-Fairfield Career and Technical Schools Groveport | — | $40,131 | $9,298 |
| Career and Technology Education Centers of Licking County Newark | — | $38,833 | $9,430 |
| Ohio Business College-Sheffield Sheffield Village | $9,385 | $37,743 | $12,416 |
| Fortis College-Cuyahoga Falls Cuyahoga Falls | $14,050 | $37,139 | $13,000 |
About This Data
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)
Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Fortis College-Columbus, approximately 67% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.
Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.
Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.
Sample Size: Based on 266 graduates with reported earnings and 300 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.