Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician (HAC, HACR, HVAC, HVACR) at Fortis College-Columbus

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.