2027 Best Value Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration Schools in the Southwest Region
[Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration](/majors/mechanical-repair-technologies/heating-air-conditioning-ventilation-refrigeration/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 67 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 Southwest 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
El Centro College earned the #1 spot for value among heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration schools in the Southwest Region. Set in the city of Dallas, El Centro College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,730, compared with $6,900 for out-of-state students. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration graduates carry a median of $9,720 in student loans. Soon after graduation, heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration degree recipients from El Centro College generally make around $28,849. That is a strong return on a $9,720 median debt.
A rank of #2 makes South Texas College one of the best values for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration. South Texas College is a very large public school located in the city of McAllen. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,920, with out-of-state students paying around $7,620. Typical student debt for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration graduates is $6,868. Early-career heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration graduates make about $24,267. Set against $6,868 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Del Mar College came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration schools. Del Mar College is a large public school located in the city of Corpus Christi. In-state tuition and fees average $3,500, compared with $6,050 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration graduates is $7,476. 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.
Students looking for strong value in heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration will find it at Pima Community College, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Tucson, Pima Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,442, with out-of-state students paying around $7,758. Students borrow a median of $10,655 to complete the heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration program here. Early-career heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration graduates make about $40,977. Set against $10,655 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Lamar State College Port Arthur earned it the #5 place for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration. Located in the city of Port Arthur, Lamar State College Port Arthur is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,770, with out-of-state students paying around $8,070. Typical student debt for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration graduates is $33,385. Soon after graduation, heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration degree recipients from Lamar State College Port Arthur generally make around $78,580. That is a strong return on a $33,385 median debt.
The University Of Texas At Brownsville earned the #6 position for value in heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration this year. Set in the city of Brownsville, The University Of Texas At Brownsville is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,148, while out-of-state students pay about $4,948. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration graduates carry a median of $10,058 in student loans. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration graduates of The University Of Texas At Brownsville earn a median of $30,343 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,058 median debt.
Eastern New Mexico University Roswell Campus placed #7 among the best values for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration. Located in the town of Roswell, Eastern New Mexico University Roswell Campus is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,256, while out-of-state students pay about $5,616. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration graduates carry a median of $11,110 in student loans. Soon after graduation, heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration degree recipients from Eastern New Mexico University Roswell Campus generally make around $21,129. That is a strong return on a $11,110 median debt.
Wharton County Junior College placed #8 among the best values for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration. Set in the town of Wharton, Wharton County Junior College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,192, compared with $5,904 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration graduates is $10,916. Soon after graduation, heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration degree recipients from Wharton County Junior College generally make around $32,414. That is a strong return on a $10,916 median debt.
Brazosport College placed #9 among the best values for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration. Set in the suburb of Lake Jackson, Brazosport College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,388, with out-of-state students paying around $4,711. Students borrow a median of $6,625 to complete the heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration program here. 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.
El Paso Community College earned the #10 position for value in heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration this year. Set in the city of El Paso, El Paso Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,274, while out-of-state students pay about $5,314. Students borrow a median of $8,542 to complete the heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration program here. Early-career heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration graduates make about $29,086. Set against $8,542 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Trinity Valley Community College landed the #11 spot for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration value this year. Set in the town of Athens, Trinity Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,640, while out-of-state students pay about $5,970. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration graduates carry a median of $12,323 in student loans. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration graduates of Trinity Valley Community College earn a median of $32,623 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Central New Mexico Community College ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration schools. Located in the city of Albuquerque, Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,060 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,684. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration graduates carry a median of $10,112 in student loans. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration graduates of Central New Mexico Community College earn a median of $34,751 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,112 median debt.
Panola College landed the #13 spot for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration value this year. Set in the town of Carthage, Panola College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,352 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $5,232. Graduates go on to earn a median of $36,072 ten years after entry.
Mohave Community College landed the #14 spot for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration value this year. Mohave Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Kingman. Students from in state pay about $2,208 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,968. Typical student debt for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration graduates is $14,766. Early-career heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration graduates make about $54,785. Set against $14,766 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lee College ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration schools. Set in the city of Baytown, Lee College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,520 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,045. Typical student debt for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration graduates is $10,941. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration graduates of Lee College earn a median of $53,448 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Kilgore College placed #16 among the best values for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration. Located in the town of Kilgore, Kilgore College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $2,160 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $5,256. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration graduates carry a median of $16,734 in student loans. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration graduates of Kilgore College earn a median of $44,322 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Houston Community College placed #17 among the best values for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration. Set in the city of Houston, Houston Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,040, with out-of-state students paying around $5,460. Typical student debt for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration graduates is $19,000. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration graduates of Houston Community College earn a median of $26,250 early in their careers. Set against $19,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
North Central Texas College earned the #18 position for value in heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration this year. Set in the town of Gainesville, North Central Texas College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,600, while out-of-state students pay about $5,739. Students borrow a median of $15,965 to complete the heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration program here. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration graduates of North Central Texas College earn a median of $43,536 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,965 median debt.
New Mexico State University Dona Ana ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration schools. Set in the city of Las Cruces, New Mexico State University Dona Ana is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,322, compared with $6,360 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,284 to complete the heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration program here. Early-career heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration graduates make about $39,399. That is a strong return on a $10,284 median debt.
South Plains College landed the #20 spot for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration value this year. Set in the town of Levelland, South Plains College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,733 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $5,157. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration graduates carry a median of $13,788 in student loans. Early-career heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration graduates make about $30,949. That is a strong return on a $13,788 median debt.
Green Country Technology Center placed #21 among the best values for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration. Green Country Technology Center is a small public school located in the rural area of Okmulgee. Typical student debt for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration graduates is $10,125. Soon after graduation, heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration degree recipients from Green Country Technology Center generally make around $51,601. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Western Technology Center came in at #22 for value in heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration this year. Western Technology Center is a small public school located in the rural area of Burns Flat. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration graduates of Western Technology Center earn a median of $40,264 early in their careers.
Gordon Cooper Technology Center came in at #23 for value in heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration this year. Gordon Cooper Technology Center is a small public school located in the town of Shawnee. Early-career heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration graduates make about $44,822.
Central Technology Center earned the #24 position for value in heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration this year. Central Technology Center is a small public school located in the rural area of Drumright. Graduates go on to earn a median of $36,351 ten years after entry.
Pontotoc Technology Center placed #25 among the best values for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration. Pontotoc Technology Center is a small public school located in the rural area of Ada. Soon after graduation, heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration degree recipients from Pontotoc Technology Center generally make around $44,846.
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:
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 67 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 67 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.
