2026 Best Value Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Engineering Technology/Technician Schools in the Southeast Region
[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 best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 71 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician schools.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Engineering Technology/Technician Schools in the Southeast Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Engineering Technology/Technician Schools
Our analysis ranked Florida State College At Jacksonville the best value for a degree in heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician in the Southeast Region. Florida State College At Jacksonville is a very large public school located in the city of Jacksonville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,657, while out-of-state students pay about $9,631. Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Engineering Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $19,139 in student loans. Soon after graduation, heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician degree recipients from Florida State College At Jacksonville generally make around $46,748. 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 Seminole State College Of Florida, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Sanford, Seminole State College Of Florida is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,122, with out-of-state students paying around $11,447. Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Engineering Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $18,419 in student loans. Soon after graduation, heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician degree recipients from Seminole State College Of Florida generally make around $48,049. That is a strong return on a $18,419 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician will find it at George C Wallace State Community College Dothan, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Dothan, George C Wallace State Community College Dothan is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,980 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,850. Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Engineering Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $9,942 in student loans. Soon after graduation, heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician degree recipients from George C Wallace State Community College Dothan generally make around $34,762. That is a strong return on a $9,942 median debt.
Northwest Shoals Community College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician schools. Northwest Shoals Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Muscle Shoals. In-state tuition and fees average $5,131, compared with $9,001 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,312 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 $33,842. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Gadsden State Community College earned it the #5 place 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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,272, with out-of-state students paying around $7,368. Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Engineering Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $9,312 in student loans. Early-career heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician graduates make about $36,407. Set against $9,312 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Indian River State College landed the #6 spot for heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician value this year. Indian River State College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fort Pierce. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,764, while out-of-state students pay about $10,201. Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Engineering Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $10,492 in student loans. Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Engineering Technology/technician graduates of Indian River State College earn a median of $44,082 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,492 median debt.
H Councill Trenholm State Technical College landed the #7 spot for heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician value this year. Located in the city of Montgomery, H Councill Trenholm State Technical College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,190, with out-of-state students paying around $9,060. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $32,183.
Lawson State Community College Birmingham Campus ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician schools. Located in the city of Birmingham, Lawson State Community College Birmingham Campus is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,040, compared with $8,910 for out-of-state students. Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Engineering Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $11,769 in student loans. Early-career heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician graduates make about $40,090. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Daytona State College earned the #9 position for value in heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician this year. Located in the city of Daytona Beach, Daytona State College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,106, while out-of-state students pay about $11,994. Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Engineering Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $14,227 in student loans. Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Engineering Technology/technician graduates of Daytona State College earn a median of $43,320 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Palm Beach State College earned the #10 position for value in heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician this year. Palm Beach State College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Lake Worth. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,050, with out-of-state students paying around $10,910. Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Engineering Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $12,518 in student loans. Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Engineering Technology/technician graduates of Palm Beach State College earn a median of $42,501 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Marion Technical College Ocala placed #11 among the best values for heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician. Set in the city of Ocala, Marion Technical College Ocala is a small public institution. Students borrow a median of $8,750 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 $31,100. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
South Dade Technical College South Dade Skills Center Campus came in at #12 for value in heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician this year. Set in the suburb of HOMESTEAD, South Dade Technical College South Dade Skills Center Campus is a small public institution. Soon after graduation, heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician degree recipients from South Dade Technical College South Dade Skills Center Campus generally make around $28,785.
Technical Education Center Osceola landed the #13 spot for heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician value this year. Technical Education Center Osceola is a small public school located in the suburb of Kissimmee. Students borrow a median of $10,812 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 $29,420. That is a strong return on a $10,812 median debt.
Manatee Technical College placed #14 among the best values for heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician. Set in the suburb of Bradenton, Manatee Technical College is a small public institution. Students borrow a median of $9,726 to complete the heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician program here. Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Engineering Technology/technician graduates of Manatee Technical College earn a median of $38,735 early in their careers. Set against $9,726 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Tom P Haney Technical Center came in at #15 for value in heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician this year. Located in the suburb of Panama City, Tom P Haney Technical Center is a small public university. Early-career heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician graduates make about $29,660.
Shelton State Community College landed the #16 spot for heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician value this year. Located in the city of Tuscaloosa, Shelton State Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,127, with out-of-state students paying around $8,997. Students borrow a median of $10,688 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 $49,403. Set against $10,688 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Radford M Locklin Technical Center earned the #17 position for value in heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician this year. Set in the rural area of Milton, Radford M Locklin Technical Center is a small public institution. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $35,997.
Lindsey Hopkins Technical College earned the #18 position for value in heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician this year. Lindsey Hopkins Technical College is a small public school located in the city of Miami. Graduates go on to earn a median of $34,107 ten years after entry.
Lively Technical Center placed #19 among the best values for heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician. Lively Technical Center is a small public school located in the city of Tallahassee. Students borrow a median of $10,260 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 Lively Technical Center generally make around $31,226. Set against $10,260 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Sheridan Technical College placed #20 among the best values for heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician. Set in the suburb of Hollywood, Sheridan Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. Students borrow a median of $7,698 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 Sheridan Technical College generally make around $29,243. Set against $7,698 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Fred K Marchman Technical College landed the #21 spot for heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician value this year. Set in the suburb of New Port Richey, Fred K Marchman Technical College is a small public institution. Early-career heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician graduates make about $28,096.
George C Wallace State Community College Hanceville placed #22 among the best values for heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician. George C Wallace State Community College Hanceville is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Hanceville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,220, with out-of-state students paying around $9,090. Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Engineering Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $13,146 in student loans. Early-career heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician graduates make about $40,017. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
First Coast Technical College landed the #23 spot for heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician value this year. Located in the suburb of Saint Augustine, First Coast Technical College is a small public university. Median earnings reach $33,784 ten years out.
Charlotte Technical College earned the #24 position for value in heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician this year. Located in the suburb of Port Charlotte, Charlotte Technical College is a small public university. Students from in state pay about $3,110 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,110. Students borrow a median of $9,875 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 Charlotte Technical College generally make around $36,503. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Florida Academy came in at #25 for value in heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician this year. Located in the city of Fort Myers, Florida Academy is a small private for-profit university. Typical student debt for heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician graduates is $6,577. Early-career heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician graduates make about $42,769.
Rest of the Top 43 Best Value Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Engineering Technology/Technician Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician value ranking:
Narrow Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Engineering Technology/Technician Schools by State
More Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Engineering Technology/Technician Rankings
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. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 71 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 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.
