2027 Best Value Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Engineering Technology/Technician Schools in the Southwest Region
[Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Engineering Technology/Technician](/majors/engineering-technologies/environmental-control-technology/heating-ventilation-air-conditioning-and-refrigeration-engineering-technology-technician/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 23 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician schools.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Engineering Technology/Technician Schools in the Southwest Region
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
For return on investment in heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician, no school beat El Centro College this year. Located in the city of Dallas, El Centro College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,730, compared with $6,900 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician graduates is $14,557. Early-career heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician graduates make about $41,295. That is a strong return on a $14,557 median debt.
St Philips College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of San Antonio, St Philips College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,412, compared with $9,952 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,653 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 $45,185. Set against $15,653 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Tarrant County College District came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician schools. Located in the city of Fort Worth, Tarrant County College District is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,863 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,370. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Midland College earned it the #4 place for heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician. Located in the city of Midland, Midland College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,180 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,180. Students borrow a median of $9,000 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 $43,454. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Central Arizona College earned it the #5 place for heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician. Located in the rural area of Coolidge, Central Arizona College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,250, with out-of-state students paying around $4,500. Typical student debt for heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician graduates is $11,635. Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Engineering Technology/technician graduates of Central Arizona College earn a median of $48,826 early in their careers. Set against $11,635 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Austin Community College District came in at #6 for value in heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician 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, with out-of-state students paying around $10,590. Students borrow a median of $14,519 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 Austin Community College District generally make around $47,052. That is a strong return on a $14,519 median debt.
Grayson College came in at #7 for value in heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician this year. Located in the rural area of Denison, Grayson College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,000, with out-of-state students paying around $6,300. Typical student debt for heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician graduates is $11,627. Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Engineering Technology/technician graduates of Grayson College earn a median of $42,487 early in their careers. Set against $11,627 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Laredo Community College came in at #8 for value in heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician this year. Laredo Community College is a large public school located in the city of Laredo. In-state tuition and fees average $3,300, compared with $5,748 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $6,000 to complete the heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician program here. Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Engineering Technology/technician graduates of Laredo Community College earn a median of $31,037 early in their careers. Set against $6,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Howard College landed the #9 spot for heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician value this year. Located in the town of Big Spring, Howard College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,766, with out-of-state students paying around $6,716. Typical student debt for heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician graduates is $14,242. Early-career heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician graduates make about $41,039. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Collin County Community College District ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician schools. Set in the suburb of McKinney, Collin County Community College District is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,014, with out-of-state students paying around $6,064. Typical student debt for heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician graduates is $9,716. Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Engineering Technology/technician graduates of Collin County Community College District earn a median of $42,177 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,716 median debt.
Texas State Technical College placed #11 among the best values for heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician. Located in the city of Waco, Texas State Technical College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,212, with out-of-state students paying around $11,812. Students borrow a median of $12,959 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 $35,442. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Vernon College earned the #12 position for value in heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician this year. Located in the town of Vernon, Vernon College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,720, compared with $6,120 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician graduates is $12,513. Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Engineering Technology/technician graduates of Vernon College earn a median of $45,097 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lamar Institute Of Technology earned the #13 position for value in heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician this year. Set in the city of Beaumont, Lamar Institute Of Technology is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,844, while out-of-state students pay about $12,924. Typical student debt for heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician graduates is $14,278. Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Engineering Technology/technician graduates of Lamar Institute Of Technology earn a median of $50,068 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
South Texas Vocational Technical Institute Brownsville ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician schools. Located in the city of Brownsville, South Texas Vocational Technical Institute Brownsville is a small private for-profit university. Students borrow a median of $13,000 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 $32,364. Set against $13,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
South Texas Vocational Technical Institute Mcallen ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician schools. Set in the city of McAllen, South Texas Vocational Technical Institute Mcallen is a small private for-profit institution. Students borrow a median of $13,000 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 $32,364. That is a strong return on a $13,000 median debt.
South Texas Vocational Technical Institute San Antonio ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician schools. Set in the city of San Antonio, South Texas Vocational Technical Institute San Antonio is a small private for-profit institution. Students borrow a median of $13,000 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 South Texas Vocational Technical Institute San Antonio generally make around $32,364. That is a strong return on a $13,000 median debt.
South Texas Vocational Technical Institute Corpus Christi came in at #17 for value in heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician this year. Located in the city of Corpus Christi, South Texas Vocational Technical Institute Corpus Christi is a small private for-profit university. Typical student debt for heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician graduates is $13,000. Soon after graduation, heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician degree recipients from South Texas Vocational Technical Institute Corpus Christi generally make around $32,364. That is a strong return on a $13,000 median debt.
Arizona Automotive Institute landed the #18 spot for heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician value this year. Located in the suburb of Glendale, Arizona Automotive Institute is a small private for-profit university. Students borrow a median of $13,000 to complete the heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician program here. Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Engineering Technology/technician graduates of Arizona Automotive Institute earn a median of $32,364 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,000 median debt.
Edge Tech Academy landed the #19 spot for heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician value this year. Set in the city of Arlington, Edge Tech Academy is a small private for-profit institution. Students borrow a median of $13,000 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 $32,364. Set against $13,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Southern Careers Institute Harlingen placed #20 among the best values for heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician. Southern Careers Institute Harlingen is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Harlingen. Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Engineering Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $9,500 in student loans. Early-career heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician graduates make about $32,421. Set against $9,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Southern Careers Institute Austin placed #21 among the best values for heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician. Set in the city of Austin, Southern Careers Institute Austin is a small private for-profit institution. Typical student debt for heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician graduates is $9,500. Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Engineering Technology/technician graduates of Southern Careers Institute Austin earn a median of $32,421 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,500 median debt.
Southern Careers Institute San Antonio Nw Loop placed #22 among the best values for heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician. Southern Careers Institute San Antonio Nw Loop is a small private for-profit school located in the city of San Antonio. Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Engineering Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $9,500 in student loans. Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Engineering Technology/technician graduates of Southern Careers Institute San Antonio Nw Loop earn a median of $32,421 early in their careers. Set against $9,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lincoln College Of Technology Grand Prairie came in at #23 for value in heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician this year. Lincoln College Of Technology Grand Prairie is a mid-sized private for-profit school located in the suburb of Grand Prairie. Typical student debt for heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician graduates is $14,553. Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Engineering Technology/technician graduates of Lincoln College Of Technology Grand Prairie earn a median of $40,778 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
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
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 23 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 23 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.
