Heating & Air Conditioning at Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology
Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology's 53% acceptance rate reflects moderate selectivity, a smaller institution with 1,449 students in Lancaster, PA.
Program Analysis
First-year earnings of $41,954 at Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology come in 14% above the national median of $36,779 for Heating & Air Conditioning programs.
Every dollar of tuition returns an estimated 40.3x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Heating & Air Conditioning programs nationally.
The 40% gap between optimistic and pessimistic AI scenarios is notable. With 11% of typical tasks exposed to automation, AI adoption could meaningfully shift career outcomes for Heating & Air Conditioning graduates.
With first-year pay of $41,954 far exceeding the $8,977 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.
At #66 of 260 nationally, this is a top-5% Heating & Air Conditioning program. Financial outcomes consistently outperform the vast majority of peers.
Five-year earnings of $65,696 show a 57% jump from the $41,954 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration in this trade.
Heating & Air Conditioning offers 15 registered apprenticeship pathways — an unusually broad set of earn-while-you-learn alternatives to the classroom track.
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.