2027 Best Value Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician Associate’s Degree Schools

[Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician](/majors/mechanical-repair-technologies/heating-air-conditioning-ventilation-refrigeration/heating-air-conditioning-ventilation-and-refrigeration-maintenance-technology-technician/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 84 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician schools.
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2027 Best Value Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician Schools
For return on investment in heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician, no school beat El Centro College this year. Set in the city of Dallas, El Centro College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,730, with out-of-state students paying around $6,900. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $9,720 in student loans. Soon after graduation, heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician degree recipients from El Centro College generally make around $28,849. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Southcentral Kentucky Community And Technical College came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician schools. Southcentral Kentucky Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Bowling Green. In-state tuition and fees average $4,728, with out-of-state students paying around $6,432. Typical student debt for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician graduates is $12,068. Soon after graduation, heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician degree recipients from Southcentral Kentucky Community And Technical College generally make around $46,451. Set against $12,068 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Suffolk County Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician, landing the #3 spot this year. Suffolk County Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Selden. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,630, with out-of-state students paying around $12,460. Students borrow a median of $11,246 to complete the heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician program here. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/technician graduates of Suffolk County Community College earn a median of $35,667 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Midlands Technical College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the suburb of West Columbia, Midlands Technical College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,100, compared with $14,700 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,611 to complete the heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician program here. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/technician graduates of Midlands Technical College earn a median of $46,803 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
South Texas College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician, landing the #5 spot this year. South Texas College is a very large public school located in the city of McAllen. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,920, compared with $7,620 for out-of-state students. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $6,868 in student loans. Early-career heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician graduates make about $22,822. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Metropolitan Community College Area landed the #6 spot for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician value this year. Metropolitan Community College Area is a very large public school located in the city of Omaha. Students from in state pay about $3,375 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $4,950. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $12,799 in student loans. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/technician graduates of Metropolitan Community College Area earn a median of $45,583 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,799 median debt.
Pikes Peak Community College landed the #7 spot for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician value this year. Set in the suburb of Colorado Springs, Pikes Peak Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,510, with out-of-state students paying around $17,110. Students borrow a median of $16,066 to complete the heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician program here. Soon after graduation, heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician degree recipients from Pikes Peak Community College generally make around $41,037. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Florence Darlington Technical College placed #8 among the best values for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician. Florence Darlington Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Florence. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,636, with out-of-state students paying around $6,772. Students borrow a median of $7,230 to complete the heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician program here. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/technician graduates of Florence Darlington Technical College earn a median of $34,948 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $7,230 median debt.
Elizabethtown Community And Technical College placed #9 among the best values for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician. Located in the city of Elizabethtown, Elizabethtown Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,728, while out-of-state students pay about $6,432. Students borrow a median of $12,245 to complete the heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician program here. Early-career heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician graduates make about $45,486. That is a strong return on a $12,245 median debt.
Fayetteville Technical Community College earned the #10 position for value in heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician this year. Located in the city of Fayetteville, Fayetteville Technical Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,628, with out-of-state students paying around $8,772. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $12,273 in student loans. Early-career heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician graduates make about $40,584. That is a strong return on a $12,273 median debt.
Central New Mexico Community College came in at #11 for value in heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician this year. Located in the city of Albuquerque, Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,060 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,684. Typical student debt for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician graduates is $10,112. Early-career heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician graduates make about $34,751. That is a strong return on a $10,112 median debt.
Gateway Community And Technical College ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician schools. Located in the suburb of Florence, Gateway Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,728 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,432 for out-of-state students. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $8,799 in student loans. Soon after graduation, heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician degree recipients from Gateway Community And Technical College generally make around $46,993. Set against $8,799 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Hinds Community College landed the #13 spot for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician value this year. Set in the rural area of Raymond, Hinds Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,250 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,300. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $16,385 in student loans. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/technician graduates of Hinds Community College earn a median of $34,003 early in their careers. Set against $16,385 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Spokane Community College placed #14 among the best values for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician. Set in the city of Spokane, Spokane Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,461 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,612. Typical student debt for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician graduates is $17,231. Early-career heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician graduates make about $42,862. Set against $17,231 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Delta College landed the #15 spot for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician value this year. Set in the rural area of University Center, Delta College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,820, compared with $7,880 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician graduates is $14,075. Soon after graduation, heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician degree recipients from Delta College generally make around $37,342. That is a strong return on a $14,075 median debt.
Westmoreland County Community College came in at #16 for value in heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician this year. Located in the suburb of Youngwood, Westmoreland County Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,306, with out-of-state students paying around $14,728. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $37,439. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Monroe Community College earned the #17 position for value in heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician this year. Monroe Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Rochester. In-state tuition and fees average $6,006, while out-of-state students pay about $11,056. Students borrow a median of $12,921 to complete the heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician program here. Soon after graduation, heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician degree recipients from Monroe Community College generally make around $54,241. Set against $12,921 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Bates Technical College came in at #18 for value in heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician this year. Set in the city of Tacoma, Bates Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,027 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,165. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $50,051.
College Of Southern Nevada placed #19 among the best values for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician. Set in the city of Las Vegas, College Of Southern Nevada is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,358 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $13,024. Students borrow a median of $9,980 to complete the heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician program here. Early-career heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician graduates make about $35,850. That is a strong return on a $9,980 median debt.
Savannah Technical College earned the #20 position for value in heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician this year. Savannah Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Savannah. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,330, while out-of-state students pay about $5,898. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $12,843 in student loans. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/technician graduates of Savannah Technical College earn a median of $37,386 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,843 median debt.
Bellingham Technical College landed the #21 spot for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician value this year. Set in the city of Bellingham, Bellingham Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,431, with out-of-state students paying around $5,809. Median earnings reach $49,748 ten years out.
Ivy Tech Community College landed the #22 spot for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician value this year. Located in the city of Indianapolis, Ivy Tech Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,154, compared with $9,935 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician graduates is $7,250. Soon after graduation, heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician degree recipients from Ivy Tech Community College generally make around $57,323. That is a strong return on a $7,250 median debt.
El Paso Community College placed #23 among the best values for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician. Located in the city of El Paso, El Paso Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,274, while out-of-state students pay about $5,314. Typical student debt for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician graduates is $8,542. Soon after graduation, heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician degree recipients from El Paso Community College generally make around $29,086. Set against $8,542 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Central Maine Community College came in at #24 for value in heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician this year. Set in the city of Auburn, Central Maine Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,140, compared with $7,020 for out-of-state students. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $14,700 in student loans. Early-career heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician graduates make about $43,934. That is a strong return on a $14,700 median debt.
Honolulu Community College earned the #25 position for value in heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician this year. Set in the city of Honolulu, Honolulu Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,174, while out-of-state students pay about $8,310. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $10,868 in student loans. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/technician graduates of Honolulu Community College earn a median of $59,006 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician:
Other Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician Degree Levels
Explore the best-value heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician schools at other degree levels:
View All Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 84 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 84 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.