2027 Best Value Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[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 schools below stand out for delivering a strong heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician education at a price that pays off.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 58 schools to find the best return on investment for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician students.
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2027 Best Value Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician Schools in the Great Lakes Region
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
Leading the list is Moraine Valley Community College, our #1 best value for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician in the Great Lakes Region. Moraine Valley Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Palos Hills. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,822, while out-of-state students pay about $9,846. Students borrow a median of $11,149 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 Moraine Valley Community College generally make around $43,844. Set against $11,149 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Joliet Junior College came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician schools. Set in the suburb of Joliet, Joliet Junior College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,530, compared with $13,800 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician graduates is $11,995. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/technician graduates of Joliet Junior College earn a median of $40,118 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician will find it at Lake Land College, which ranked #3. Located in the rural area of Mattoon, Lake Land College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,415, compared with $14,301 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,769 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 $30,294. That is a strong return on a $7,769 median debt.
Richland Community 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. Set in the city of Decatur, Richland Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,680 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,070. Students borrow a median of $9,562 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 $46,233. Set against $9,562 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #5 makes Washtenaw Community College one of the best values for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician. Washtenaw Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Ann Arbor. Students from in state pay about $2,736 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,504. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $17,616 in student loans. Early-career heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician graduates make about $45,332. That is a strong return on a $17,616 median debt.
Lincoln Land Community College landed the #6 spot for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician value this year. Set in the rural area of Springfield, Lincoln Land Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,744 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,464. Students borrow a median of $6,292 to complete the heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician program here. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/technician graduates of Lincoln Land Community College earn a median of $28,504 early in their careers. Set against $6,292 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Oakton Community College earned the #7 position for value in heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician this year. Oakton Community College is a large public school located in the city of Des Plaines. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,985, while out-of-state students pay about $12,462. Typical student debt for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician graduates is $7,750. Early-career heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician graduates make about $48,838. Set against $7,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Kankakee Community College placed #8 among the best values for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician. Kankakee Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Kankakee. In-state tuition and fees average $5,220, while out-of-state students pay about $25,830. Typical student debt for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician graduates is $13,289. Early-career heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician graduates make about $60,509. That is a strong return on a $13,289 median debt.
Delta College came in at #9 for value in heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician 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, while out-of-state students pay about $7,880. Students borrow a median of $14,075 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 $37,342. Set against $14,075 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Danville Area Community College ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician schools. Danville Area Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Danville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,440, with out-of-state students paying around $7,440. Typical student debt for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician graduates is $9,470. Early-career heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician graduates make about $36,123. That is a strong return on a $9,470 median debt.
Prairie State College landed the #11 spot for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician value this year. Located in the suburb of Chicago Heights, Prairie State College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,176, with out-of-state students paying around $11,064. Students borrow a median of $15,663 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 $37,500. That is a strong return on a $15,663 median debt.
Ivy Tech Community College ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician schools. Located in the city of Indianapolis, Ivy Tech Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,154, while out-of-state students pay about $9,935. Students borrow a median of $6,595 to complete the heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician program here. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/technician graduates of Ivy Tech Community College earn a median of $49,297 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Elgin Community College ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician schools. Elgin Community College is a large public school located in the city of Elgin. Students from in state pay about $3,252 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,516. Students borrow a median of $7,727 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 $24,513. Set against $7,727 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mchenry County College landed the #14 spot for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician value this year. Mchenry County College is a large public school located in the rural area of Crystal Lake. Students from in state pay about $4,162 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $14,399. Students borrow a median of $7,440 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 Mchenry County College generally make around $24,177. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Kaskaskia College landed the #15 spot for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician value this year. Set in the rural area of Centralia, Kaskaskia College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,800 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,570 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,875 to complete the heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician program here. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/technician graduates of Kaskaskia College earn a median of $45,658 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $7,875 median debt.
College Of Lake County landed the #16 spot for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician value this year. Set in the suburb of Grayslake, College Of Lake County is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,788, while out-of-state students pay about $14,400. Typical student debt for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician graduates is $9,785. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/technician graduates of College Of Lake County earn a median of $50,314 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,785 median debt.
College Of Dupage came in at #17 for value in heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician this year. College Of Dupage is a very large public school located in the suburb of Glen Ellyn. Students from in state pay about $4,560 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,750. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $12,492 in student loans. Early-career heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician graduates make about $43,025. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College came in at #18 for value in heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician this year. Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Rice Lake. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,926, while out-of-state students pay about $7,169. Students borrow a median of $11,384 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 Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College generally make around $35,981. That is a strong return on a $11,384 median debt.
Sauk Valley Community College earned the #19 position for value in heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician this year. Located in the rural area of Dixon, Sauk Valley Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,340, with out-of-state students paying around $12,900. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $12,811 in student loans. Soon after graduation, heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician degree recipients from Sauk Valley Community College generally make around $48,855. That is a strong return on a $12,811 median debt.
Milwaukee Area Technical College earned the #20 position for value in heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician this year. Set in the city of Milwaukee, Milwaukee Area Technical College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,184, with out-of-state students paying around $7,427. Typical student debt for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician graduates is $18,296. Early-career heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician graduates make about $38,325. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Grand Rapids Community College came in at #21 for value in heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician this year. Grand Rapids Community College is a large public school located in the city of Grand Rapids. Students from in state pay about $4,179 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,219 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,780 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 Grand Rapids Community College generally make around $41,689. That is a strong return on a $11,780 median debt.
Northeast Wisconsin Technical College placed #22 among the best values for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician. Located in the city of Green Bay, Northeast Wisconsin Technical College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,960 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,203. Students borrow a median of $14,997 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 Northeast Wisconsin Technical College generally make around $42,016. That is a strong return on a $14,997 median debt.
Mid Michigan Community College came in at #23 for value in heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician this year. Located in the rural area of Harrison, Mid Michigan Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,132, with out-of-state students paying around $10,864. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $18,878 in student loans. Early-career heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician graduates make about $43,078. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lakeshore Technical College placed #24 among the best values for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician. Located in the rural area of Cleveland, Lakeshore Technical College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,844, with out-of-state students paying around $7,087. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $11,582 in student loans. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/technician graduates of Lakeshore Technical College earn a median of $41,252 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,582 median debt.
Western Technical College La Cross placed #25 among the best values for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician. Located in the city of La Crosse, Western Technical College La Cross is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,820, with out-of-state students paying around $7,078. Typical student debt for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician graduates is $13,669. Soon after graduation, heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician degree recipients from Western Technical College La Cross generally make around $52,820. That is a strong return on a $13,669 median debt.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician value ranking:
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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 · 58 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 58 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.
