2026 Best Value Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration Schools in California
[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 schools below stand out for delivering a strong heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 42 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration schools.
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2026 Best Value Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration Schools in California
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
Our analysis ranked San Joaquin Valley College Bakersfield the best value for a degree in heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration in California. Located in the city of Bakersfield, San Joaquin Valley College Bakersfield is a small private for-profit university. Typical student debt for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration graduates is $16,318. Soon after graduation, heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration degree recipients from San Joaquin Valley College Bakersfield generally make around $40,615. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #2 makes San Joaquin Valley College Hesperia one of the best values for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration. Set in the suburb of Hesperia, San Joaquin Valley College Hesperia is a small private for-profit institution. Students borrow a median of $16,318 to complete the heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration program here. Soon after graduation, heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration degree recipients from San Joaquin Valley College Hesperia generally make around $40,615. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cet Coachella is a great value for students pursuing a degree in heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration, landing the #3 spot this year. Cet Coachella is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Coachella. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration graduates carry a median of $6,160 in student loans. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration graduates of Cet Coachella earn a median of $35,970 early in their careers. Set against $6,160 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #4 makes San Joaquin Valley College Lancaster one of the best values for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration. Located in the suburb of Lancaster, San Joaquin Valley College Lancaster is a small private for-profit university. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration graduates carry a median of $16,318 in student loans. Early-career heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration graduates make about $40,615. That is a strong return on a $16,318 median debt.
Capstone College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration, landing the #5 spot this year. Capstone College is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Pasadena. Typical student debt for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration graduates is $9,500. Early-career heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration graduates make about $38,740. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Institute Of Technology Inc landed the #6 spot for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration value this year. Set in the suburb of Clovis, Institute Of Technology Inc is a mid-sized private for-profit institution. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration graduates carry a median of $9,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration degree recipients from Institute Of Technology Inc generally make around $39,935. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cet Colton ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration schools. Located in the suburb of Colton, Cet Colton is a small private not-for-profit university. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration graduates carry a median of $6,160 in student loans. Early-career heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration graduates make about $35,970. Set against $6,160 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
San Joaquin Valley College Trades Education Center landed the #8 spot for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration value this year. Located in the city of Fresno, San Joaquin Valley College Trades Education Center is a small private for-profit university. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration graduates carry a median of $17,968 in student loans. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration graduates of San Joaquin Valley College Trades Education Center earn a median of $40,615 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
San Joaquin Valley College Rancho Mirage ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration schools. Set in the suburb of Rancho Mirage, San Joaquin Valley College Rancho Mirage is a small private for-profit institution. Typical student debt for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration graduates is $16,318. Soon after graduation, heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration degree recipients from San Joaquin Valley College Rancho Mirage generally make around $40,615. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Hacienda La Puente Adult Education ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration schools. Hacienda La Puente Adult Education is a small public school located in the suburb of La Puente. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration graduates of Hacienda La Puente Adult Education earn a median of $9,467 early in their careers. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
Advanced Training Associates earned the #11 position for value in heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration this year. Set in the suburb of El Cajon, Advanced Training Associates is a small private for-profit institution. Typical student debt for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration graduates is $6,310. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration 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 schools. Set in the suburb of Baldwin Park, Baldwin Park Adult And Community Education is a small public institution. Soon after graduation, heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration degree recipients from Baldwin Park Adult And Community Education generally make around $28,942.
Mayfield College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration schools. Mayfield College is a small private for-profit school located in the suburb of Cathedral City. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration graduates carry a median of $9,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration 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 came in at #14 for value in heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration this year. Located in the city of Riverside, American College Of Healthcare Riverside is a small private for-profit university. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration graduates carry a median of $12,125 in student loans. Early-career heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration graduates make about $26,383. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Intercoast Colleges West Covina ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration schools. Intercoast Colleges West Covina is a small private for-profit school located in the suburb of West Covina. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration graduates carry a median of $9,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration degree recipients from Intercoast Colleges West Covina generally make around $38,137. That is a strong return on a $9,500 median debt.
National Career Education came in at #16 for value in heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration this year. Set in the suburb of Citrus Heights, National Career Education is a small private for-profit institution. Students borrow a median of $9,316 to complete the heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration program here. Soon after graduation, heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration degree recipients from National Career Education generally make around $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 value this year. San Joaquin Valley College Ontario is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Ontario. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration graduates carry a median of $16,318 in student loans. Early-career heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration graduates make about $40,615. Set against $16,318 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
United Education Institute Anaheim came in at #18 for value in heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration this year. Located in the suburb of Garden Grove, United Education Institute Anaheim is a small private for-profit university. Typical student debt for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration graduates is $9,500. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration graduates of United Education Institute Anaheim earn a median of $33,444 early in their careers. Set against $9,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Dehart Technical School landed the #19 spot for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration value this year. Located in the suburb of Modesto, Dehart Technical School is a small private for-profit university. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration graduates carry a median of $8,950 in student loans. Soon after graduation, heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration degree recipients from Dehart Technical School generally make around $43,927.
Institute For Business And Technology placed #20 among the best values for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration. Located in the city of San Jose, Institute For Business And Technology is a small private for-profit university. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration graduates carry a median of $9,316 in student loans. Soon after graduation, heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration degree recipients from Institute For Business And Technology generally make around $41,695. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
United Education Institute Ontario came in at #21 for value in heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration this year. Set in the city of Ontario, United Education Institute Ontario is a small private for-profit institution. Students borrow a median of $9,500 to complete the heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration program here. Soon after graduation, heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration degree recipients from United Education Institute Ontario generally make around $33,444. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
United Education Institute Uei College Stockton came in at #22 for value in heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration this year. United Education Institute Uei College Stockton is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Stockton. Typical student debt for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration graduates is $9,500. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration graduates of United Education Institute Uei College Stockton earn a median of $33,444 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
San Joaquin Valley College Temecula ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration schools. Set in the city of Temecula, San Joaquin Valley College Temecula is a small private for-profit institution. Students borrow a median of $16,318 to complete the heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration program here. Soon after graduation, heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration degree recipients from San Joaquin Valley College Temecula generally make around $40,615. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
United Education Institute Uei College San Marcos came in at #24 for value in heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration 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 program here. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration graduates of United Education Institute Uei College San Marcos earn a median of $33,444 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,500 median debt.
Uei College Riverside landed the #25 spot for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration value this year. Located in the city of Riverside, Uei College Riverside is a mid-sized private for-profit university. Students borrow a median of $9,500 to complete the heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration program here. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration graduates of Uei College Riverside earn a median of $30,235 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,500 median debt.
Rest of the Top 36 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:
More Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration Rankings
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 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.
