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2023 Best Value Heating, Ventilation, Air & Cooling Schools

Identifying Quality Schools at More Affordable Prices

292 Colleges
$5,604 Avg Tuition & Fees*
$32,998 Avg Salary

Finding the Best Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration School for You

In 2020-2021, 19,594 people earned a degree or certificate in heating, air conditioning, ventilation and refrigeration, making the major the #195 most popular in the United States.

When it comes to higher education, there are a lot of options for students. You're no longer limited to schools in your local area, either, since online programs are becoming more prevalent. Or you may find the programs at a trade school to be a better alternative for you.

Along with in-depth profiles of schools and the programs they offer, Course Advisor has created the Best Value Heating, Ventilation, Air & Cooling Schools to help you in your search for the best school for you. This report analyzed 292 schools in the United States to see which ones offered the best value programs for HVACR students. The goal was to highlight schools with more affordable prices than others offering similar quality experiences.

This ranking is not just a list of inexpensive schools. We also consider each school's quality, since we believe a low-quality school may not be a 'bargain' at any price. More specifically, we discount our quality score by the published tuition and fees charged by a school. This gives the cost per unit of quality for each college. The value is determined by how much quality your dollar buys.

For nationwide and regional rankings, we use out-of-state tuition and fees in our calculations. Average in-state tuition and fees are used for our statewide rankings.

2023 Best Value Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration Schools in the United States

The colleges and universities below are the best value schools for HVACR majors pursuing a .

Top 25 Best Schools for Affordable Quality in Heating, Ventilation, Air & Cooling

$3,780 Average Tuition & Fees

Our analysis found Southeast Community College Area to be the best value school for heating, air conditioning, ventilation and refrigeration students who want to pursue a degree in the United States. Southeast Community College is a medium-sized public school located in the large city of Lincoln.

Southeast Community College undergraduate students pay an average of $3,780 in tuition and fees each year. While working on their degree, HVACR majors at Southeast Community College accumulate an average of around $7,328 in student debt.

Read full report on Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration at Southeast Community College Area

$3,570 Average Tuition & Fees

A rank of #2 on this year’s list means Highland Community College is a great value for heating, air conditioning, ventilation and refrigeration students. Located in the rural area of Highland, Highland Community College is a public school with a small student population.

Highland Community College undergraduate students pay an average of $3,570 in tuition and fees each year.

Read full report on Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration at Highland Community College

#3

Hennepin Technical College

Brooklyn Park, MN
$5,741 Average Tuition & Fees

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Hennepin Technical College. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Value Heating, Ventilation, Air & Cooling Schools list. Located in the large suburb of Brooklyn Park, Hennepin Technical College is a public school with a small student population.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Hennepin Technical College are $5,741 per year.

Read More…

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Dakota County Technical College. The school came in at #4 on this year’s Best Value Heating, Ventilation, Air & Cooling Schools list. DCTC is a small public school located in the rural area of Rosemount.

DCTC undergraduate students pay an average of $6,208 in tuition and fees each year.

DCTC also claimed a spot on our Best Heating, Ventilation, Air & Cooling Schools list. It’s in the top 20% of all schools in this category.

Read full report on Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration at Dakota County Technical College

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Madison Area Technical College. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Value Heating, Ventilation, Air & Cooling Schools list. Madison College is a fairly large public school located in the large city of Madison.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at Madison College are $6,769 a year.

On top of its placing in our value ranking, Madison College also did well on our Best Heating, Ventilation, Air & Cooling Schools list. It’s in the top 5% of all schools reviewed in this analysis.

Full Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration at Madison Area Technical College Report

$4,205 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #6, South Louisiana Community College did quite well on this year’s best value schools for heating, air conditioning, ventilation and refrigeration students. South Louisiana Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the midsize city of Lafayette.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at South Louisiana Community College are $4,205 per year.

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$5,862 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #7, Minnesota State Community and Technical College did quite well on this year’s best value schools for heating, air conditioning, ventilation and refrigeration students. Located in the town of Fergus Falls, M State is a public college with a moderately-sized student population.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at M State are $5,862 per year. HVACR majors at M State take out an average of $9,424 in student loans while working on their egree.

Read full report on Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration at Minnesota State Community and Technical College

With a ranking of #8, Chippewa Valley Technical College did quite well on this year’s best value schools for heating, air conditioning, ventilation and refrigeration students. CVTC is a moderately-sized public school located in the small city of Eau Claire.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at CVTC are $6,683 a year.

CVTC excels when it comes to quality. It’s ranked in the top 15% of all schools on our Best Heating, Ventilation, Air & Cooling Schools list.

Read full report on Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration at Chippewa Valley Technical College

$4,872 Average Tuition & Fees

Wharton County Junior College landed the #9 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value heating, air conditioning, ventilation and refrigeration programs. Wharton County Junior College is a moderately-sized public school located in the distant town of Wharton.

Wharton County Junior College undergraduate students pay an average of $4,872 in tuition and fees each year.

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$5,010 Average Tuition & Fees

Northeast Community College came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Heating, Ventilation, Air & Cooling Schools ranking. Located in the town of Norfolk, Northeast is a public college with a medium-sized student population.

Northeast undergraduate students pay an average of $5,010 in tuition and fees each year.

Full Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration at Northeast Community College Report

St Cloud Technical and Community College landed the #11 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value heating, air conditioning, ventilation and refrigeration programs. Located in the city of Saint Cloud, St Cloud Technical and Community College is a public school with a small student population.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at St Cloud Technical and Community College are $5,874 per year.

St Cloud Technical and Community College excels when it comes to quality. It’s ranked in the top 15% of all schools on our Best Heating, Ventilation, Air & Cooling Schools list.

Read full report on Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration at St Cloud Technical and Community College

#12

Century College

White Bear Lake, MN

Century College ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Heating, Ventilation, Air & Cooling Schools list. Located in the suburb of White Bear Lake, Century College is a public college with a moderately-sized student population.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at Century College are $5,907 a year.

Century College also claimed a spot on our Best Heating, Ventilation, Air & Cooling Schools list. It’s in the top 20% of all schools in this category.

Read full report on Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration at Century College

$4,826 Average Tuition & Fees

Western Iowa Tech Community College landed the #13 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value heating, air conditioning, ventilation and refrigeration programs. Located in the small city of Sioux City, Western Iowa Tech Community College is a public school with a moderately-sized student population.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at Western Iowa Tech Community College are $4,826 a year. After completing their degree, HVACR graduates from Western Iowa Tech Community College carry an average student debtload of $5,500.

Read More…

$5,452 Average Tuition & Fees

West Georgia Technical College landed the #14 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value heating, air conditioning, ventilation and refrigeration programs. Located in the rural area of Waco, West Georgia Technical College is a public school with a medium-sized student population.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at West Georgia Technical College are $5,452 a year.

Read More…

#15

Bismarck State College

Bismarck, ND

Bismarck State College came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Heating, Ventilation, Air & Cooling Schools ranking. Located in the city of Bismarck, BSC is a public college with a small student population.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at BSC are $6,930 per year.

BSC also claimed a spot on our Best Heating, Ventilation, Air & Cooling Schools list. It’s in the top 5% of all schools in this category.

Read full report on Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration at Bismarck State College

#16

Western Technical College

La Crosse, WI

Western Technical College came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Heating, Ventilation, Air & Cooling Schools ranking. Western Technical College is a small public school located in the small city of La Crosse.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at Western Technical College are $6,687 a year. After completing their degree, HVACR graduates from Western Technical College carry an average student debtload of $9,750.

Read full report on Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration at Western Technical College

$5,906 Average Tuition & Fees

Minneapolis Community and Technical College landed the #17 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value heating, air conditioning, ventilation and refrigeration programs. Located in the city of Minneapolis, Minneapolis Community and Technical College is a public school with a medium-sized student population.

Minneapolis Community and Technical College undergraduate students pay an average of $5,906 in tuition and fees each year. The average amount in student loans that HVACR majors at Minneapolis Community and Technical College take out is $25,834.

Full Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration at Minneapolis Community and Technical College Report

$5,360 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #18, Itawamba Community College did quite well on this year’s best value schools for heating, air conditioning, ventilation and refrigeration students. ICC is a small public school located in the remote town of Fulton.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at ICC are $5,360 a year.

Full Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration at Itawamba Community College Report

$5,462 Average Tuition & Fees

Georgia Northwestern Technical College came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Heating, Ventilation, Air & Cooling Schools ranking. Located in the city of Rome, Georgia Northwestern Technical College is a public school with a moderately-sized student population.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at Georgia Northwestern Technical College are $5,462 a year.

Read full report on Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration at Georgia Northwestern Technical College

#20

Lone Star College System

The Woodlands, TX

Lone Star College System landed the #20 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value heating, air conditioning, ventilation and refrigeration programs. Located in the medium-sized city of The Woodlands, North Harris Montgomery is a public college with a very large student population.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at North Harris Montgomery are $6,168 per year. On average, HVACR graduates from North Harris Montgomery take out $7,588 in student loans while working on their degree.

Full Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration at Lone Star College System Report

$5,578 Average Tuition & Fees

Georgia Piedmont Technical College landed the #21 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value heating, air conditioning, ventilation and refrigeration programs. Located in the large suburb of Clarkston, Georgia Piedmont Technical College is a public college with a small student population.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Georgia Piedmont Technical College are $5,578 per year.

Read More…

Northland Community and Technical College ranked #22 on this year’s Best Value Heating, Ventilation, Air & Cooling Schools list. Located in the remote town of Thief River Falls, Northland Community and Technical College is a public school with a small student population.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at Northland Community and Technical College are $6,052 a year.

Read full report on Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration at Northland Community and Technical College

Metropolitan Community College ranked #23 on this year’s Best Value Heating, Ventilation, Air & Cooling Schools list. MCC is a large public school located in the city of Omaha.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at MCC are $4,680 per year.

Read full report on Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration at Metropolitan Community College

#24

Savannah Technical College

Savannah, GA
$5,442 Average Tuition & Fees

Savannah Technical College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value schools for heating, air conditioning, ventilation and refrigeration students. It came in at #24 on the list. Savannah Tech is a small public school located in the midsize city of Savannah.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at Savannah Tech are $5,442 a year.

Full Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration at Savannah Technical College Report

$7,071 Average Tuition & Fees

Hibbing Community College came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Heating, Ventilation, Air & Cooling Schools ranking. Located in the town of Hibbing, Hibbing Community College is a public college with a small student population.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Hibbing Community College are $7,071 per year.

Read More…

Rest of the Top Best Value Heating, Ventilation, Air & Cooling Schools

#27

Central Community College

Grand Island, NE
#29

South Plains College

Levelland, TX
#37

Texarkana College

Texarkana, TX
#38

Columbus Technical College

Columbus, GA
#40

Ivy Tech Community College

Indianapolis, IN
#41

Southeast Technical College

Sioux Falls, SD
#42

Central Georgia Technical College

Warner Robins, GA

Additional Noteworthy Schools

These are some additional schools worth mentioning that are also great but just didn't quite make the cut to earn our top Best Value Heating, Ventilation, Air & Cooling Schools award.

Rank College Location
44 Delgado Community College New Orleans, LA
45 Metropolitan Community College - Kansas City Kansas City, MO
46 San Jacinto Community College Pasadena, TX
47 Hawkeye Community College Waterloo, IA
48 Clover Park Technical College Lakewood, WA
49 Waukesha County Technical College Pewaukee, WI
50 College of Eastern Idaho Idaho Falls, ID
51 North Georgia Technical College Clarkesville, GA
52 Washburn Institute of Technology Topeka, KS
53 Hinds Community College Raymond, MS
54 Spokane Community College Spokane, WA
55 Tyler Junior College Tyler, TX
56 Gwinnett Technical College Lawrenceville, GA
57 Interactive College of Technology - Chamblee Chamblee, GA
58 Forsyth Technical Community College Winston-Salem, NC

Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration by Region

View the Best Value Heating, Ventilation, Air & Cooling Schools for a specific region near you.

Region
Southeast
New England
Rocky Mountains
Plains States
Middle Atlantic
Far Western US
Southwest
Great Lakes

Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration is one of 7 different types of programs to choose from.

Related Major Annual Graduates
Vehicle Maintenance & Repair 56,539
Heavy/Industrial Equipment Maintenance 8,717
Electronics Maintenance & Repair 7,770
Precision Systems Maintenance 1,932
Mechanic & Repair Tech (Other) 1,267

Notes and References

*These averages are for the top 25 schools only.

  • The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) serves as the core of the rest of our data about colleges.
  • Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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