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

The numbers here tell a straightforward story: Fortis Institute-Wayne's HVAC program sits squarely in the middle of the pack, landing at the 40th percentile among New Jersey programs with first-year earnings of $34,064. That's about $5,500 below the state median and roughly $1,700 below the national benchmark—a meaningful gap in a state where HVAC technicians typically earn more than elsewhere. The debt load of $12,106 is moderate and manageable, translating to a healthy debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.36, but graduates from competing New Jersey programs like Eastwick College-Nutley and Adult and Continuing Education-BCTS are earning $6,000-$10,000 more annually right out of the gate.

The 23% earnings growth to $41,984 by year four shows the field rewards experience, which is typical for skilled trades. However, your child would still be playing catch-up compared to peers who started with stronger initial earnings. Given that 73% of students here receive Pell grants, this program serves a predominantly working-class population—but that doesn't explain why earnings lag behind other New Jersey HVAC programs with similar student demographics.

For a New Jersey resident, this program represents a safe but unexceptional choice. The debt is reasonable and the career trajectory is solid, but other in-state options deliver noticeably better outcomes. If Fortis-Wayne offers superior job placement support or scheduling flexibility that matters for your family's situation, the earnings gap might be worth accepting. Otherwise, look closely at those higher-performing Jersey programs first.