[Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration](/majors/mechanical-repair-technologies/heating-air-conditioning-ventilation-refrigeration/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 669 schools to find the best return on investment for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration students.
Finding the Best Value Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration School for You
Where you study heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration affects both what you pay and what you earn. That is why we developed our Best Value Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration Schools list, to help you choose. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
Moraine Valley Community College earned the #1 spot for value among heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration schools in the United States. Set in the suburb of Palos Hills, Moraine Valley Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,822, while out-of-state students pay about $9,846. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration graduates carry a median of $11,149 in student loans. Early-career heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration graduates make about $43,844. That is a strong return on a $11,149 median debt.
Coastal Pines Technical College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration schools. Set in the town of Waycross, Coastal Pines Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,268, compared with $5,836 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration graduates is $5,812. Early-career heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration graduates make about $39,090. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #3 makes Clover Park Technical College one of the best values for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration. Clover Park Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Lakewood. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,634. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration graduates carry a median of $15,154 in student loans. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration graduates of Clover Park Technical College earn a median of $42,209 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #4 makes Georgia Northwestern Technical College one of the best values for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration. Georgia Northwestern Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Rome. In-state tuition and fees average $3,300, while out-of-state students pay about $5,868. Typical student debt for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration graduates is $8,492. Soon after graduation, heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration degree recipients from Georgia Northwestern Technical College generally make around $41,229. Set against $8,492 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #5 makes Chattahoochee Technical College one of the best values for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration. Located in the suburb of Marietta, Chattahoochee Technical College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,540, compared with $6,108 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,616 to complete the heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration program here. Soon after graduation, heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration degree recipients from Chattahoochee Technical College generally make around $41,978. That is a strong return on a $9,616 median debt.
Horry Georgetown Technical College came in at #6 for value in heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration this year. Horry Georgetown Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Conway. In-state tuition and fees average $5,518, while out-of-state students pay about $10,978. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration graduates carry a median of $9,500 in student loans. Early-career heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration graduates make about $40,480. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
West Georgia Technical College earned the #7 position for value in heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration this year. West Georgia Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Waco. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,410, with out-of-state students paying around $5,978. Typical student debt for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration graduates is $12,651. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration graduates of West Georgia Technical College earn a median of $35,572 early in their careers. Set against $12,651 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Metropolitan Community College Area came in at #8 for value in heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration this year. Set in the city of Omaha, Metropolitan Community College Area is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,375, with out-of-state students paying around $4,950. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration graduates carry a median of $12,799 in student loans. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration 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.
Trident Technical College earned the #9 position for value in heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration this year. Set in the city of Charleston, Trident Technical College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,546, with out-of-state students paying around $8,620. Students borrow a median of $18,116 to complete the heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration program here. Early-career heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration graduates make about $50,166. That is a strong return on a $18,116 median debt.
Owensboro Community And Technical College placed #10 among the best values for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration. Owensboro Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Owensboro. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,728, with out-of-state students paying around $6,432. Students borrow a median of $9,098 to complete the heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration program here. Soon after graduation, heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration degree recipients from Owensboro Community And Technical College generally make around $44,899. Set against $9,098 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Southcentral Kentucky Community And Technical College landed the #11 spot for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration value this year. Located in the city of Bowling Green, Southcentral Kentucky 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. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration graduates carry a median of $12,068 in student loans. Early-career heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration graduates make about $46,451. Set against $12,068 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Brazosport College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration schools. Located in the suburb of Lake Jackson, Brazosport College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $2,388 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $4,711. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration graduates carry a median of $6,625 in student loans. Soon after graduation, heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration degree recipients from Brazosport College generally make around $32,746. Set against $6,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
South Georgia Technical College came in at #13 for value in heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration this year. South Georgia Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Americus. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,992, compared with $7,202 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration graduates is $10,423. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration graduates of South Georgia Technical College earn a median of $40,497 early in their careers. Set against $10,423 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Suffolk County Community College placed #14 among the best values for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration. 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 program here. Early-career heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration graduates make about $35,667. That is a strong return on a $11,246 median debt.
El Centro College earned the #15 position for value in heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration this year. El Centro College is a very large public school located in the city of Dallas. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,730, with out-of-state students paying around $6,900. Typical student debt for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration graduates is $9,720. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration graduates of El Centro College earn a median of $28,849 early in their careers. Set against $9,720 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Bates Technical College came in at #16 for value in heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration this year. Bates Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Tacoma. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,027, with out-of-state students paying around $12,165. Graduates go on to earn a median of $50,051 ten years after entry.
Florence Darlington Technical College placed #17 among the best values for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration. Located in the rural area of Florence, Florence Darlington Technical College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,636, with out-of-state students paying around $6,772. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration graduates carry a median of $7,230 in student loans. Soon after graduation, heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration degree recipients from Florence Darlington Technical College generally make around $34,948. That is a strong return on a $7,230 median debt.
Fort Scott Community College came in at #18 for value in heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration this year. Set in the town of Fort Scott, Fort Scott Community College is a small public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,390, compared with $3,840 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration graduates is $12,990. Soon after graduation, heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration degree recipients from Fort Scott Community College generally make around $40,041. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Del Mar College landed the #19 spot for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration value this year. Del Mar College is a large public school located in the city of Corpus Christi. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,500, with out-of-state students paying around $6,050. Students borrow a median of $7,476 to complete the heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration program here. Soon after graduation, heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration degree recipients from Del Mar College generally make around $40,661. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
South Texas College placed #20 among the best values for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration. Located in the city of McAllen, South Texas College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,920 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,620. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration graduates carry a median of $6,868 in student loans. Soon after graduation, heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration degree recipients from South Texas College generally make around $24,267. Set against $6,868 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Pima Community College ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration schools. Located in the city of Tucson, Pima Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,442 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,758. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration graduates carry a median of $10,655 in student loans. Soon after graduation, heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration degree recipients from Pima Community College generally make around $40,977. Set against $10,655 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Hinds Community College earned the #22 position for value in heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration this year. Set in the rural area of Raymond, Hinds Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,250, with out-of-state students paying around $7,300. Typical student debt for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration graduates is $16,385. Early-career heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration graduates make about $34,003. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
North Georgia Technical College ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration schools. Located in the rural area of Clarkesville, North Georgia Technical College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,330, while out-of-state students pay about $5,898. Students borrow a median of $12,279 to complete the heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration program here. Early-career heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration graduates make about $34,133. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
York Technical College placed #24 among the best values for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration. Located in the city of Rock Hill, York Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,036, while out-of-state students pay about $13,340. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration graduates carry a median of $10,907 in student loans. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration graduates of York Technical College earn a median of $37,626 early in their careers. Set against $10,907 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Central Piedmont Community College ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration schools. Located in the city of Charlotte, Central Piedmont Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,792, with out-of-state students paying around $8,936. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration graduates carry a median of $11,861 in student loans. Soon after graduation, heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration degree recipients from Central Piedmont Community College generally make around $40,629. Set against $11,861 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration value ranking:
This list is compiled 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 · 669 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 48 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).
[Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration](/majors/mechanical-repair-technologies/heating-air-conditioning-ventilation-refrigeration/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
