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