2027 Best Value Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician Schools in Illinois
[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/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 24 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician Schools in Illinois
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician Schools
Moraine Valley Community College tops our 2027 list of the best value heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician schools in Illinois. Located in the suburb of Palos Hills, Moraine Valley Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,822, compared with $9,846 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician graduates is $11,149. Early-career heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician graduates make about $43,844. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Joliet Junior College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Joliet, Joliet Junior College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,530 in tuition and fees, compared with $13,800 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,995 to complete the heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician program here. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/technician graduates of Joliet Junior College earn a median of $40,118 early in their careers. Set against $11,995 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lake Land College came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician schools. Located in the rural area of Mattoon, Lake Land College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,415, compared with $14,301 for out-of-state students. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $7,769 in student loans. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/technician graduates of Lake Land College earn a median of $30,294 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $7,769 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician will find it at Richland Community College, which ranked #4. Richland Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Decatur. Students from in state pay about $4,680 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,070 for out-of-state students. 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.
Lincoln Land Community 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. Lincoln Land Community College is a large public school located in the rural area of Springfield. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,744, compared with $10,464 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $6,292 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 $28,504. Set against $6,292 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Kankakee Community College landed the #6 spot for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician value this year. Located in the city of Kankakee, Kankakee Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,220 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $25,830. Students borrow a median of $13,289 to complete the heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician program here. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/technician graduates of Kankakee Community College earn a median of $60,509 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Oakton Community College ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician schools. Oakton Community College is a large public school located in the city of Des Plaines. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,985, compared with $12,462 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,750 to complete the heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician program here. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/technician graduates of Oakton Community College earn a median of $48,838 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $7,750 median debt.
Danville Area Community College earned the #8 position for value in heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician this year. Set in the town of Danville, Danville Area Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,440, compared with $7,440 for out-of-state students. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $9,470 in student loans. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/technician graduates of Danville Area Community College earn a median of $36,123 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,470 median debt.
Prairie State College earned the #9 position for value in heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician this year. Set in the suburb of Chicago Heights, Prairie State College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,176 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,064. Typical student debt for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician graduates is $15,663. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/technician graduates of Prairie State College earn a median of $37,500 early in their careers. Set against $15,663 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Elgin Community College came in at #10 for value in heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician this year. Set in the city of Elgin, Elgin Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,252, while out-of-state students pay about $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Kaskaskia College landed the #11 spot for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician value this year. Kaskaskia College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Centralia. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,800, with out-of-state students paying around $12,570. Typical student debt for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician graduates is $7,875. Soon after graduation, heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician degree recipients from Kaskaskia College generally make around $45,658. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mchenry County College landed the #12 spot for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician value this year. Located in the rural area of Crystal Lake, Mchenry County College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,162, compared with $14,399 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician graduates is $7,440. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/technician graduates of Mchenry County College earn a median of $24,177 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $7,440 median debt.
College Of Dupage earned the #13 position for value in heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician this year. Set in the suburb of Glen Ellyn, College Of Dupage is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,560, with out-of-state students paying around $12,750. Students borrow a median of $12,492 to complete the heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician program here. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/technician graduates of College Of Dupage earn a median of $43,025 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,492 median debt.
College Of Lake County landed the #14 spot for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician value this year. Located in the suburb of Grayslake, College Of Lake County is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,788, with out-of-state students paying around $14,400. Students borrow a median of $9,785 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 College Of Lake County generally make around $50,314. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Sauk Valley Community College landed the #15 spot for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician value this year. Located in the rural area of Dixon, Sauk Valley Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,340, with out-of-state students paying around $12,900. Students borrow a median of $12,811 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 Sauk Valley Community College generally make around $48,855. Set against $12,811 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
City Colleges Of Chicago Kennedy King College placed #16 among the best values for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician. Set in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Kennedy King College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,590, with out-of-state students paying around $15,150. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $10,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician degree recipients from City Colleges Of Chicago Kennedy King College generally make around $48,264. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Southwestern Illinois College came in at #17 for value in heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician this year. Set in the suburb of Belleville, Southwestern Illinois College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,230 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,720. Students borrow a median of $10,388 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 Southwestern Illinois College generally make around $44,345. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Waubonsee Community College ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician schools. Waubonsee Community College is a large public school located in the rural area of Sugar Grove. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,504, compared with $10,464 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician graduates is $9,939. Soon after graduation, heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician degree recipients from Waubonsee Community College generally make around $39,659. That is a strong return on a $9,939 median debt.
Harper College ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician schools. Set in the suburb of Palatine, Harper College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,894 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,874. Typical student debt for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician graduates is $10,963. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/technician graduates of Harper College earn a median of $44,523 early in their careers. Set against $10,963 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Heartland Community College landed the #20 spot for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician value this year. Set in the suburb of Normal, Heartland Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,550, compared with $13,110 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,266 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 Heartland Community College generally make around $48,710. Set against $13,266 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Illinois Central College ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician schools. Set in the suburb of East Peoria, Illinois Central College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,800 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,150. Typical student debt for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician graduates is $12,222. Soon after graduation, heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician degree recipients from Illinois Central College generally make around $53,190. That is a strong return on a $12,222 median debt.
Hvac Technical Institute ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician schools. Hvac Technical Institute is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Typical student debt for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician graduates is $6,851. Early-career heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician graduates make about $41,644.
Stautzenberger College Rockford Career College placed #23 among the best values for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician. Located in the city of Rockford, Stautzenberger College Rockford Career College is a small private for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $16,699. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $13,730 in student loans. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/technician graduates of Stautzenberger College Rockford Career College earn a median of $33,403 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Eti School Of Skilled Trades placed #24 among the best values for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician. Eti School Of Skilled Trades is a small private for-profit school located in the suburb of Willowbrook. 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 Eti School Of Skilled Trades generally make around $39,169. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
More Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician Rankings
View All Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 24 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 24 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.
