2027 Best Value Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration Associate’s Degree Schools
[Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration](/majors/mechanical-repair-technologies/heating-air-conditioning-ventilation-refrigeration/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 84 schools to find the best return on investment for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration students.
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2027 Best Value Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration Schools
Leading the list is El Centro College, our #1 best value for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration in the United States. El Centro College is a very large public school located in the city of Dallas. Students from in state pay about $2,730 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,900. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration graduates carry a median of $9,720 in student loans. Early-career heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration graduates make about $28,849. Set against $9,720 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Southcentral Kentucky Community And Technical College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Bowling Green, Southcentral Kentucky Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,728, while out-of-state students pay about $6,432. Students borrow a median of $12,068 to complete the heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration program here. Soon after graduation, heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration 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, landing the #3 spot this year. Suffolk County Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Selden. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,630, compared with $12,460 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration graduates is $11,246. Soon after graduation, heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration degree recipients from Suffolk County Community College generally make around $35,667. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #4 makes Midlands Technical College one of the best values for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration. Set in the suburb of West Columbia, Midlands Technical College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,100, with out-of-state students paying around $14,700. Typical student debt for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration graduates is $17,611. Soon after graduation, heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration degree recipients from Midlands Technical College generally make around $46,803. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
South Texas College came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration schools. Located in the city of McAllen, South Texas College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,920, compared with $7,620 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration graduates is $6,868. Early-career heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration graduates make about $22,822. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Metropolitan Community College Area ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration schools. Set in the city of Omaha, Metropolitan Community College Area is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,375 in tuition and fees, compared with $4,950 for out-of-state students. 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.
Pikes Peak Community College ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration schools. Located in the suburb of Colorado Springs, Pikes Peak Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,510, while out-of-state students pay about $17,110. Students borrow a median of $16,066 to complete the heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration program here. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration graduates of Pikes Peak Community College earn a median of $41,037 early in their careers. Set against $16,066 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Florence Darlington Technical College placed #8 among the best values for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration. Florence Darlington Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Florence. In-state tuition and fees average $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 program here. Soon after graduation, heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration degree recipients from Florence Darlington Technical College generally make around $34,948. Set against $7,230 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Elizabethtown Community And Technical College placed #9 among the best values for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration. Set in the city of Elizabethtown, Elizabethtown Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,728, compared with $6,432 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration graduates is $12,245. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration graduates of Elizabethtown Community And Technical College earn a median of $45,486 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,245 median debt.
Fayetteville Technical Community College landed the #10 spot for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration value this year. Set in the city of Fayetteville, Fayetteville Technical Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,628, with out-of-state students paying around $8,772. Typical student debt for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration graduates is $12,273. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration graduates of Fayetteville Technical Community College earn a median of $40,584 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,273 median debt.
Central New Mexico Community College ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration schools. Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Albuquerque. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,060, with out-of-state students paying around $8,684. Students borrow a median of $10,112 to complete the heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration program here. Early-career heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration graduates make about $34,751. That is a strong return on a $10,112 median debt.
Gateway Community And Technical College came in at #12 for value in heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration this year. Set in the suburb of Florence, Gateway Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,728, while out-of-state students pay about $6,432. Typical student debt for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration graduates is $8,799. Soon after graduation, heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration degree recipients from Gateway Community And Technical College generally make around $46,993. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Hinds Community College earned the #13 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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,250, compared with $7,300 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration graduates is $16,385. Soon after graduation, heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration degree recipients from Hinds Community College generally make around $34,003. That is a strong return on a $16,385 median debt.
Spokane Community College placed #14 among the best values for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration. 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, compared with $6,612 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration graduates is $17,231. Soon after graduation, heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration degree recipients from Spokane Community College generally make around $42,862. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Delta College came in at #15 for value in heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration this year. Delta College is a large public school located in the rural area of University Center. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,820, while out-of-state students pay about $7,880. Typical student debt for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration graduates is $14,075. Soon after graduation, heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration 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 ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration schools. Set in the suburb of Youngwood, Westmoreland County Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,306, while out-of-state students pay about $14,728. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $37,439 ten years after entry. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Monroe Community College placed #17 among the best values for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration. Set in the suburb of Rochester, Monroe Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,006, with out-of-state students paying around $11,056. Typical student debt for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration graduates is $12,921. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration graduates of Monroe Community College earn a median of $54,241 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,921 median debt.
Bates Technical College landed the #18 spot for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration value this year. Located in the city of Tacoma, Bates Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,027, while out-of-state students pay about $12,165. Median earnings reach $50,051 ten years out.
College Of Southern Nevada came in at #19 for value in heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration this year. Set in the city of Las Vegas, College Of Southern Nevada is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,358, while out-of-state students pay about $13,024. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration graduates carry a median of $9,980 in student loans. Early-career heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration graduates make about $35,850. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Savannah Technical College came in at #20 for value in heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration this year. Savannah Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Savannah. In-state tuition and fees average $3,330, while out-of-state students pay about $5,898. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration graduates carry a median of $12,843 in student loans. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration graduates of Savannah Technical College earn a median of $37,386 early in their careers. Set against $12,843 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Bellingham Technical College came in at #21 for value in heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration this year. Set in the city of Bellingham, Bellingham Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,431, compared with $5,809 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $49,748 ten years out.
Ivy Tech Community College landed the #22 spot for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration value this year. Located in the city of Indianapolis, Ivy Tech Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,154 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,935 for out-of-state students. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration graduates carry a median of $7,250 in student loans. Early-career heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration graduates make about $57,323. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
El Paso Community College placed #23 among the best values for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration. Set in the city of El Paso, El Paso Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,274 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,314. Typical student debt for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration graduates is $8,542. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration graduates of El Paso Community College earn a median of $29,086 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,542 median debt.
Central Maine Community College landed the #24 spot for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration value this year. Located in the city of Auburn, Central Maine Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,140, with out-of-state students paying around $7,020. Students borrow a median of $14,700 to complete the heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration program here. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration graduates of Central Maine Community College earn a median of $43,934 early in their careers. Set against $14,700 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Honolulu Community College earned the #25 position for value in heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration this year. Set in the city of Honolulu, Honolulu Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,174, while out-of-state students pay about $8,310. Students borrow a median of $10,868 to complete the heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration program here. Soon after graduation, heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration degree recipients from Honolulu Community College generally make around $59,006. That is a strong return on a $10,868 median debt.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration:
Other Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration rankings across degree levels:
View All Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 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.
