2026 Best Value Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician Schools in California
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
Our analysis ranked San Joaquin Valley College Bakersfield the best value for a degree in heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician in California. San Joaquin Valley College Bakersfield is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Bakersfield. Students borrow a median of $16,318 to complete the heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician program here. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/technician graduates of San Joaquin Valley College Bakersfield earn a median of $40,615 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,318 median debt.
A rank of #2 makes San Joaquin Valley College Hesperia one of the best values for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician. Located in the suburb of Hesperia, San Joaquin Valley College Hesperia is a small private for-profit university. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $16,318 in student loans. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/technician graduates of San Joaquin Valley College Hesperia earn a median of $40,615 early in their careers. Set against $16,318 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cet Coachella earned it the #3 place for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician. Cet Coachella is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Coachella. Students borrow a median of $6,160 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 Cet Coachella generally make around $35,970. That is a strong return on a $6,160 median debt.
A rank of #4 makes San Joaquin Valley College Lancaster one of the best values for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician. San Joaquin Valley College Lancaster is a small private for-profit school located in the suburb of Lancaster. Typical student debt for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician graduates is $16,318. Early-career heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician graduates make about $40,615. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Capstone 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. Set in the city of Pasadena, Capstone College is a small private for-profit institution. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $9,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician degree recipients from Capstone College generally make around $38,740. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Institute Of Technology Inc earned the #6 position for value in heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician this year. Located in the suburb of Clovis, Institute Of Technology Inc is a mid-sized private for-profit university. Students borrow a median of $9,500 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 $39,935. That is a strong return on a $9,500 median debt.
Cet Colton came in at #7 for value in heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician this year. Set in the suburb of Colton, Cet Colton is a small private not-for-profit institution. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $6,160 in student loans. Soon after graduation, heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician degree recipients from Cet Colton generally make around $35,970. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
San Joaquin Valley College Trades Education Center landed the #8 spot for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician value this year. San Joaquin Valley College Trades Education Center is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Fresno. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $17,968 in student loans. Early-career heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician graduates make about $40,615. Set against $17,968 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
San Joaquin Valley College Rancho Mirage landed the #9 spot for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician value this year. San Joaquin Valley College Rancho Mirage is a small private for-profit school located in the suburb of Rancho Mirage. Typical student debt for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician graduates is $16,318. Early-career heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician graduates make about $40,615. That is a strong return on a $16,318 median debt.
Hacienda La Puente Adult Education came in at #10 for value in heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician this year. Located in the suburb of La Puente, Hacienda La Puente Adult Education is a small public university. Early-career heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician graduates make about $9,467. Hacienda La Puente Adult Education admits about 100% of applicants.
Advanced Training Associates came in at #11 for value in heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician this year. Located in the suburb of El Cajon, Advanced Training Associates is a small private for-profit university. Students borrow a median of $6,310 to complete the heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician program here. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/technician graduates of Advanced Training Associates earn a median of $25,968 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $6,310 median debt.
Baldwin Park Adult And Community Education ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician schools. Baldwin Park Adult And Community Education is a small public school located in the suburb of Baldwin Park. Early-career heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician graduates make about $28,942.
Mayfield College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician schools. Mayfield College is a small private for-profit school located in the suburb of Cathedral City. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $9,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician degree recipients from Mayfield College generally make around $35,007. Set against $9,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
American College Of Healthcare Riverside placed #14 among the best values for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician. American College Of Healthcare Riverside is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Riverside. Typical student debt for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician graduates is $12,125. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/technician graduates of American College Of Healthcare Riverside earn a median of $26,383 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,125 median debt.
Intercoast Colleges West Covina landed the #15 spot for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician value this year. Intercoast Colleges West Covina is a small private for-profit school located in the suburb of West Covina. Students borrow a median of $9,500 to complete the heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician program here. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/technician graduates of Intercoast Colleges West Covina earn a median of $38,137 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,500 median debt.
National Career Education ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician schools. Located in the suburb of Citrus Heights, National Career Education is a small private for-profit university. Students borrow a median of $9,316 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 $41,695. That is a strong return on a $9,316 median debt.
San Joaquin Valley College Ontario landed the #17 spot for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician value this year. San Joaquin Valley College Ontario is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Ontario. Students borrow a median of $16,318 to complete the heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician program here. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/technician graduates of San Joaquin Valley College Ontario earn a median of $40,615 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
United Education Institute Anaheim landed the #18 spot for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician value this year. Set in the suburb of Garden Grove, United Education Institute Anaheim is a small private for-profit institution. Typical student debt for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician graduates is $9,500. Soon after graduation, heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician degree recipients from United Education Institute Anaheim generally make around $33,444. That is a strong return on a $9,500 median debt.
Dehart Technical School came in at #19 for value in heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician this year. Located in the suburb of Modesto, Dehart Technical School is a small private for-profit university. Typical student debt for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician graduates is $8,950. Early-career heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician graduates make about $43,927.
Institute For Business And Technology ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician schools. Located in the city of San Jose, Institute For Business And Technology is a small private for-profit university. Students borrow a median of $9,316 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 $41,695. Set against $9,316 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
United Education Institute Ontario landed the #21 spot for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician value this year. Set in the city of Ontario, United Education Institute Ontario is a small private for-profit institution. Typical student debt for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician graduates is $9,500. Early-career heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician graduates make about $33,444. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
United Education Institute Uei College Stockton landed the #22 spot for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician value this year. Set in the city of Stockton, United Education Institute Uei College Stockton is a small private for-profit institution. Typical student debt for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician graduates is $9,500. Early-career heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician graduates make about $33,444. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
San Joaquin Valley College Temecula came in at #23 for value in heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician this year. Set in the city of Temecula, San Joaquin Valley College Temecula is a small private for-profit institution. Typical student debt for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician graduates is $16,318. Early-career heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician graduates make about $40,615. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
United Education Institute Uei College San Marcos landed the #24 spot for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician value this year. Set in the suburb of Oceanside, United Education Institute Uei College San Marcos is a small private for-profit institution. Students borrow a median of $9,500 to complete the heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician program here. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/technician graduates of United Education Institute Uei College San Marcos earn a median of $33,444 early in their careers. Set against $9,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Uei College Riverside ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician schools. Located in the city of Riverside, Uei College Riverside is a mid-sized private for-profit university. Typical student debt for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician graduates is $9,500. Soon after graduation, heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician degree recipients from Uei College Riverside generally make around $30,235. That is a strong return on a $9,500 median debt.
Rest of the Top 36 Best Value Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician this year:
Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 42 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 36 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.
[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. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
