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

Fortis Institute-Scranton's HVAC program starts graduates at $30,823—about $6,500 below Pennsylvania's median and ranking in just the 25th percentile statewide. That's a significant gap when comparable programs like YTI Career Institute-York place graduates earning over $44,000 in their first year. The program serves a predominantly low-income student body (80% receive Pell grants), and while the $10,342 debt load keeps the initial debt-to-earnings ratio manageable at 0.34, starting nearly $14,000 behind the state's top program matters when you're trying to establish financial footing.

The trajectory improves—earnings jump 26% to reach $38,829 by year four, which approaches the state median. However, that improvement only brings graduates closer to where many other Pennsylvania programs start. HVAC is generally a solid trade with strong job security, but location and program quality clearly matter. In Pennsylvania's competitive HVAC training market, this program's below-average placement outcomes suggest students might find better returns elsewhere, particularly at schools like YTI or Pennco Tech that demonstrate stronger immediate earning potential. For families weighing options, the lower debt is an advantage, but the earnings gap takes years to close.