2026 Best Value Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Engineering Technology/Technician Associate’s Degree Schools
[Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Engineering Technology/Technician](/majors/engineering-technologies/environmental-control-technology/heating-ventilation-air-conditioning-and-refrigeration-engineering-technology-technician/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 201 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician students.
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2026 Best Value Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Engineering Technology/Technician Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Engineering Technology/Technician Schools
Leading the list is Mt San Antonio College, our #1 best value for heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician in the United States. Mt San Antonio College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Walnut. In-state tuition and fees average $1,364, with out-of-state students paying around $10,464. Students borrow a median of $9,384 to complete the heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician program here. Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Engineering Technology/technician graduates of Mt San Antonio College earn a median of $44,391 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician will find it at Fresno City College, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Fresno, Fresno City College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,378, compared with $8,638 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,234 to complete the heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician program here. Early-career heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician graduates make about $37,470. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician will find it at Gavilan College, which ranked #3. Gavilan College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Gilroy. Students from in state pay about $1,508 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,249 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician graduates is $5,939. Early-career heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician graduates make about $28,496. Set against $5,939 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #4 makes Oakland Community College one of the best values for heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician. Set in the suburb of Auburn Hills, Oakland Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,120 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,560 for out-of-state students. Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Engineering Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $15,865 in student loans. Early-career heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician graduates make about $43,205. Set against $15,865 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #5 makes Gadsden State Community College one of the best values for heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician. Located in the city of Gadsden, Gadsden State Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,272, compared with $7,368 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,312 to complete the heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician program here. Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Engineering Technology/technician graduates of Gadsden State Community College earn a median of $36,407 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,312 median debt.
Palomar College landed the #6 spot for heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician value this year. Located in the suburb of San Marcos, Palomar College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,354, while out-of-state students pay about $10,650. Median earnings reach $42,300 ten years out.
El Camino Community College District landed the #7 spot for heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician value this year. Located in the suburb of Torrance, El Camino Community College District is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,144, compared with $7,630 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $41,589 ten years after entry.
Macomb Community College landed the #8 spot for heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician value this year. Macomb Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Warren. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,660, while out-of-state students pay about $8,370. Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Engineering Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $9,862 in student loans. Early-career heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician graduates make about $38,758. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
St Philips College came in at #9 for value in heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician this year. St Philips College is a very large public school located in the city of San Antonio. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,412, with out-of-state students paying around $9,952. Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Engineering Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $15,653 in student loans. Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Engineering Technology/technician graduates of St Philips College earn a median of $45,185 early in their careers. Set against $15,653 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
H Councill Trenholm State Technical College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician schools. Set in the city of Montgomery, H Councill Trenholm State Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,190, while out-of-state students pay about $9,060. Graduates go on to earn a median of $32,183 ten years after entry.
Austin Community College District landed the #11 spot for heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician value this year. Located in the city of Austin, Austin Community College District is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,550, while out-of-state students pay about $10,590. Students borrow a median of $14,519 to complete the heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician program here. Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Engineering Technology/technician graduates of Austin Community College District earn a median of $47,480 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,519 median debt.
Tarrant County College District earned the #12 position for value in heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician this year. Tarrant County College District is a very large public school located in the city of Fort Worth. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,863, compared with $8,370 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician graduates is $15,148. Soon after graduation, heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician degree recipients from Tarrant County College District generally make around $45,158. That is a strong return on a $15,148 median debt.
Raritan Valley Community College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician schools. Located in the rural area of Branchburg, Raritan Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,664 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,584 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,668 to complete the heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician program here. Soon after graduation, heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician degree recipients from Raritan Valley Community College generally make around $47,248. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mott Community College landed the #14 spot for heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician value this year. Mott Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Flint. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,845, with out-of-state students paying around $11,460. Students borrow a median of $20,645 to complete the heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician program here. Soon after graduation, heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician degree recipients from Mott Community College generally make around $37,989. That is a strong return on a $20,645 median debt.
Columbus State Community College earned the #15 position for value in heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician this year. Columbus State Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Columbus. In-state tuition and fees average $5,488, compared with $11,224 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,041 to complete the heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $39,435 ten years after entry. Set against $9,041 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
San Bernardino Valley College earned the #16 position for value in heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician this year. Set in the city of San Bernardino, San Bernardino Valley College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,196, with out-of-state students paying around $4,528. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician program here. Soon after graduation, heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician degree recipients from San Bernardino Valley College generally make around $69,642. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Collin County Community College District came in at #17 for value in heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician this year. Located in the suburb of McKinney, Collin County Community College District is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,014, compared with $6,064 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,716 to complete the heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician program here. Early-career heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician graduates make about $42,177. That is a strong return on a $9,716 median debt.
Texas State Technical College landed the #18 spot for heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician value this year. Set in the city of Waco, Texas State Technical College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,212, while out-of-state students pay about $11,812. Students borrow a median of $16,417 to complete the heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician program here. Early-career heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician graduates make about $36,888. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northeast Wisconsin Technical College placed #19 among the best values for heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician. Located in the city of Green Bay, Northeast Wisconsin Technical College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,960, compared with $7,203 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician graduates is $14,997. Soon after graduation, heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician degree recipients from Northeast Wisconsin Technical College generally make around $42,016. That is a strong return on a $14,997 median debt.
North Dakota State College Of Science came in at #20 for value in heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician this year. North Dakota State College Of Science is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Wahpeton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,974, while out-of-state students pay about $6,973. Students borrow a median of $15,706 to complete the heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician program here. Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Engineering Technology/technician graduates of North Dakota State College Of Science earn a median of $50,780 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,706 median debt.
Los Angeles Trade Technical College earned the #21 position for value in heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician this year. Set in the city of Los Angeles, Los Angeles Trade Technical College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,238, with out-of-state students paying around $10,572. Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Engineering Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $14,833 in student loans. Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Engineering Technology/technician graduates of Los Angeles Trade Technical College earn a median of $43,340 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,833 median debt.
Ferris State University landed the #22 spot for heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician value this year. Ferris State University is a large public school located in the town of Big Rapids. In-state tuition and fees average $14,778. Typical student debt for heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician graduates is $11,000. Soon after graduation, heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician degree recipients from Ferris State University generally make around $48,795. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Instituto Tecnologico De Puerto Rico Recinto De San Juan came in at #23 for value in heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician this year. Located in the city of San Juan, Instituto Tecnologico De Puerto Rico Recinto De San Juan is a small public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,707. Graduates go on to earn a median of $26,293 ten years after entry. Instituto Tecnologico De Puerto Rico Recinto De San Juan admits about 63% of applicants.
Ranken Technical College landed the #24 spot for heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician value this year. Set in the city of Saint Louis, Ranken Technical College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,008. Typical student debt for heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician graduates is $12,000. Early-career heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician graduates make about $44,917. Set against $12,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Iti Technical College ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician schools. Iti Technical College is a small private for-profit school located in the suburb of Baton Rouge. In-state tuition and fees average $11,711. Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Engineering Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $16,728 in student loans. Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Engineering Technology/technician graduates of Iti Technical College earn a median of $47,809 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,728 median debt.
Rest of the Top 27 Best Value Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Engineering Technology/Technician Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician this year:
Other Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Engineering Technology/Technician Degree Levels
Explore the best-value heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician schools at other degree levels:
View All Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Engineering Technology/Technician Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 201 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 13 ranked 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 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.
