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

Fortis Institute's HVAC program leaves money on the table in New Jersey's skilled trades market. While the program's graduates earn $34,064 in their first year—roughly on par with national averages—they're falling short of the $39,632 median for New Jersey HVAC programs. That's a $5,500 gap that matters when you're starting a career in a trade where local demand and cost of living should drive earnings higher.

The upside here is manageable debt at $12,106, translating to a 0.36 debt-to-earnings ratio that won't crush new graduates. The 23% earnings growth to nearly $42,000 by year four shows the career trajectory improves, though the four-year mark still lags behind what other New Jersey HVAC programs deliver right out of the gate. With 73% of students receiving Pell grants, this program serves students who need affordable entry into the trades—but "affordable" doesn't mean "best value" when competitors like Adult and Continuing Education-BCTS and Eastwick College demonstrate stronger first-year outcomes.

For a New Jersey family, this program ranks in the bottom half (40th percentile) statewide. If your child can access one of the stronger HVAC programs in the state, the higher starting salary will quickly outpace any difference in upfront costs. This isn't a financial disaster, but it's not making the most of New Jersey's robust HVAC market either.