2027 Best Value Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration Schools in Illinois
[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 24 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration schools.
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2027 Best Value Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration Schools in Illinois
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
Moraine Valley Community College earned the #1 spot for value among heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration schools in Illinois. Moraine Valley Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Palos Hills. In-state tuition and fees average $3,822, while out-of-state students pay about $9,846. Typical student debt for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration graduates is $11,149. Soon after graduation, heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration degree recipients from Moraine Valley Community College generally make around $43,844. That is a strong return on a $11,149 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration will find it at Joliet Junior College, which ranked #2. Joliet Junior College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Joliet. In-state tuition and fees average $4,530, with out-of-state students paying around $13,800. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration graduates carry a median of $11,995 in student loans. Early-career heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration graduates make about $40,118. That is a strong return on a $11,995 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Lake Land College earned it the #3 place for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration. Set in the rural area of Mattoon, Lake Land College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,415, compared with $14,301 for out-of-state students. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration graduates carry a median of $7,769 in student loans. Early-career heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration graduates make about $30,294. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Richland Community College came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration schools. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $17,070. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration graduates carry a median of $9,562 in student loans. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration graduates of Richland Community College earn a median of $46,233 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,562 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Lincoln Land Community College earned it the #5 place for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration. Lincoln Land Community College is a large public school located in the rural area of Springfield. In-state tuition and fees average $3,744, compared with $10,464 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration graduates is $6,292. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration graduates of Lincoln Land Community College earn a median of $28,504 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Kankakee Community College came in at #6 for value in heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration this year. Set in the city of Kankakee, Kankakee Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,220, with out-of-state students paying around $25,830. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration graduates carry a median of $13,289 in student loans. Early-career heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration graduates make about $60,509. That is a strong return on a $13,289 median debt.
Oakton Community College ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration 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, while out-of-state students pay about $12,462. Students borrow a median of $7,750 to complete the heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration program here. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration 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 ranked #8 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. In-state tuition and fees average $4,440, 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 earned the #9 position for value in heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration this year. Set in the suburb of Chicago Heights, Prairie State College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,176, while out-of-state students pay about $11,064. Typical student debt for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration graduates is $15,663. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration 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 earned the #10 position for value in heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration 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, compared with $9,516 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,727 to complete the heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration program here. Soon after graduation, heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration degree recipients from Elgin Community College generally make around $24,513. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Kaskaskia College ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration schools. Kaskaskia College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Centralia. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,800, while out-of-state students pay about $12,570. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration graduates carry a median of $7,875 in student loans. Early-career heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration graduates make about $45,658. Set against $7,875 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mchenry County College ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration schools. Mchenry County College is a large public school located in the rural area of Crystal Lake. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,162, while out-of-state students pay about $14,399. Typical student debt for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration graduates is $7,440. Soon after graduation, heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration degree recipients from Mchenry County College generally make around $24,177. That is a strong return on a $7,440 median debt.
College Of Dupage came in at #13 for value in heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration this year. Located in the suburb of Glen Ellyn, College Of Dupage is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $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 program here. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration graduates of College Of Dupage earn a median of $43,025 early in their careers. Set against $12,492 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of Lake County landed the #14 spot for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration value this year. College Of Lake County is a very large public school located in the suburb of Grayslake. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,788, while out-of-state students pay about $14,400. Students borrow a median of $9,785 to complete the heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration program here. Soon after graduation, heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration 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 placed #15 among the best values for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration. Set in the rural area of Dixon, Sauk Valley Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,340 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,900. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration graduates carry a median of $12,811 in student loans. Early-career heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration graduates make about $48,855. That is a strong return on a $12,811 median debt.
City Colleges Of Chicago Kennedy King College earned the #16 position for value in heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration this year. Located in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Kennedy King College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,590, compared with $15,150 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,250 to complete the heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration program here. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration graduates of City Colleges Of Chicago Kennedy King College earn a median of $48,264 early in their careers. Set against $10,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Southwestern Illinois College ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration schools. 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, compared with $6,720 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,388 to complete the heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration program here. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration graduates of Southwestern Illinois College earn a median of $44,345 early in their careers. 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 schools. Waubonsee Community College is a large public school located in the rural area of Sugar Grove. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,504, while out-of-state students pay about $10,464. Typical student debt for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration graduates is $9,939. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration graduates of Waubonsee Community College earn a median of $39,659 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Harper College ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration schools. Located in the suburb of Palatine, Harper College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,894, compared with $11,874 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,963 to complete the heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration program here. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration graduates of Harper College earn a median of $44,523 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,963 median debt.
Heartland Community College ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration schools. Heartland Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Normal. In-state tuition and fees average $5,550, while out-of-state students pay about $13,110. Typical student debt for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration graduates is $13,266. Early-career heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration graduates make about $48,710. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Illinois Central College placed #21 among the best values for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration. Illinois Central College is a large public school located in the suburb of East Peoria. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,800, with out-of-state students paying around $12,150. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration graduates carry a median of $12,222 in student loans. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration graduates of Illinois Central College earn a median of $53,190 early in their careers. Set against $12,222 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Hvac Technical Institute placed #22 among the best values for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration. Set in the city of Chicago, Hvac Technical Institute is a small private for-profit institution. Students borrow a median of $6,851 to complete the heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration program here. Early-career heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration graduates make about $41,644.
Stautzenberger College Rockford Career College came in at #23 for value in heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration this year. Set in the city of Rockford, Stautzenberger College Rockford Career College is a small private for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,699. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration graduates carry a median of $13,730 in student loans. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration graduates of Stautzenberger College Rockford Career College earn a median of $33,403 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,730 median debt.
Eti School Of Skilled Trades came in at #24 for value in heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration this year. Set in the suburb of Willowbrook, Eti School Of Skilled Trades is a small private for-profit institution. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration graduates carry a median of $9,500 in student loans. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration graduates of Eti School Of Skilled Trades earn a median of $39,169 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 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.
