Heating & Air Conditioning at Fortis College-Richmond
with a smaller student body of 399 in Richmond, VA.
Program Analysis
Fortis College-Richmond's Heating & Air Conditioning program produces graduates earning $32,955/yr — within striking distance of the $36,779 national average for this trade.
The 26.0x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. Trade programs often deliver strong ratios, and this one is a standout.
With only 11% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, the scenario spread is tight at 12%. Career paths for Heating & Air Conditioning are among the more automation-resistant trades we analyze.
Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $10,523 in median debt clears fast against $32,955 in annual earnings.
At #202 out of 260 programs, Fortis College-Richmond's financial outcomes for Heating & Air Conditioning trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.
Earnings growth is modest: $32,955 to $38,095 over five years (16% gain). This trade may have a lower salary ceiling than high-growth professions.
With 15 registered apprenticeships mapped to Heating & Air Conditioning, graduates have substantial options for hands-on training paths that pay from day one.
Earnings Overview
Projected 10-Year Earnings
Based on actual graduate salary data and Bureau of Labor Statistics growth projections.
Top Career Paths
Top career paths for Heating & Air Conditioning graduates by median salary.
| Career Path | Median Salary | Growth | AI-ProofAI |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers | $59,810 | +8.1% | 89% |
About Heating & Air Conditioning Careers
Your career in HVACR begins with your hands on the tools. As an apprentice, you’ll work alongside a senior technician, learning to use pressure gauges on a residential AC unit or a multimeter to diagnose a faulty furnace circuit board in a chilly basement. Soon, you'll be driving the service van, independently tackling everything from routine maintenance to emergency repairs on commercial rooftops. This is skilled, physical work that requires you to be on-site—it can’t be automated or outsourced.