Heating & Air Conditioning at Pennsylvania College of Technology

Williamsport, PA · Public · Associate Degree · Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician (HAC, HACR, HVAC, HVACR)

a compact campus enrolling 4,254 students in Williamsport, PA.

Program Analysis

At $51,770 per year, Heating & Air Conditioning graduates from Pennsylvania College of Technology significantly outpace the $36,779 national average for this trade, reflecting strong employer demand for this program's graduates.

Every dollar of tuition returns an estimated 15.1x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Heating & Air Conditioning programs nationally.

AI disruption models show minimal impact on this program's career paths. The gap between optimistic and pessimistic scenarios is just 0% — this trade's hands-on core resists automation.

The median debt load of $12,000 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios in vocational education.

At #109 of 260 Heating & Air Conditioning programs, Pennsylvania College of Technology scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

Heating & Air Conditioning offers 15 registered apprenticeship pathways — an unusually broad set of earn-while-you-learn alternatives to the classroom track.

51 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
50
Low End
51
Score
51
High End
Earnings $51,770/yr (41% vs median)
AI-Proof AI-Proof (89% shielded)
Job Market Large (40,100 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$542K
1.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
15.1x
10-year earnings ÷ tuition
Viable Career Paths
1 of 1
Occupations with strong AI resilience

Projected 10-Year Earnings

Based on actual graduate salary data and Bureau of Labor Statistics growth projections.

Program Tuition (In-State)
$35,880
Out-of-state: $51,360
Median Debt at Graduation
$12,000
2.8 months of Year 1 earnings

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%
Heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers
$59,810
+8.1% growth 89% AI-proof

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.

Read the full Heating & Air Conditioning career guide →

Compare & Explore

Heating & Air Conditioning Overview

Heating & Air Conditioning at Other Schools

Other Majors at Pennsylvania College of Technology

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the TradeSchoolOutlook Score for Heating & Air Conditioning at Pennsylvania College of Technology?
At 51/100, Pennsylvania College of Technology's Heating & Air Conditioning program delivers middling returns. School cost and personal fit become important decision factors.
Will AI replace Heating & Air Conditioning jobs?
This is one of the more automation-resistant trades. Heating & Air Conditioning work requires physical skill and on-site presence — qualities AI cannot provide. Our model rates it "AI-Proof" overall.
What's the typical debt for Heating & Air Conditioning graduates from Pennsylvania College of Technology?
At $12,000 in median debt, Heating & Air Conditioning graduates from Pennsylvania College of Technology carry minimal financial burden. The debt-to-income ratio of 0.2x is well below the trade program average.
Can I learn Heating & Air Conditioning through an apprenticeship instead?
Yes — 15 registered apprenticeship programs are mapped to Heating & Air Conditioning career paths, including Air & Hydronic Balancing Technician. Apprenticeships offer paid on-the-job training as an alternative or complement to certificate programs.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →