Air Filters Delivered has recognized OSU Institute of Technology’s Air Conditioning and Refrigeration program as Oklahoma’s Best Value HVAC Degree. 

To help students filter out which higher education option to pursue, Air Filters Delivered compiled a list of the best value schools for HVAC technicians across the country that award students with an associate degree. 

“This type of recognition is not only good for our students but also the industry we serve,” said Steve Olmstead, dean of the School of Engineering & Construction Technologies. “I have said for many years that our ACR program is one of the best in the nation.” 

According to Air Filters Delivered, the job outlook for HVAC mechanics and installers is at 13 percent, compared to the national average outlook of 5 percent. 

Air Filters Delivered gathered data from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS), College Scorecard and the Bureau of Labor Statistics website to create the list using the following criteria: degree, cost of attendance, six years post-enrollment average salaries and median pay.

“The depth and breadth of what we teach, our expert faculty and our outstanding industry support is what makes OSUIT’s ACR program unique,” said Olmstead.

Each school was assigned a rank based on the lowest tuition rates and cost of attendance, highest post-enrollment salaries and highest pay per state.

In addition to the rankings, Air Filters Delivered suggests that when choosing an HVAC program, prospective students should look for an accredited school, consider the location for the overall financial value of the experience, length of obtaining the degree and job growth.

“Receiving this ranking will show prospective students that we will provide them with one of the best educations they can earn in the nation. Right here in Oklahoma,” said Olmstead.