2027 Best Value Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration Schools in the The Plains States Region

[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. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 43 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 The Plains States Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration Schools
Metropolitan Community College Area earned the #1 spot for value among heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration schools in the The Plains States Region. Metropolitan Community College Area is a very large public school located in the city of Omaha. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,375, with out-of-state students paying around $4,950. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration graduates carry a median of $12,799 in student loans. Soon after graduation, heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration degree recipients from Metropolitan Community College Area generally make around $45,583. That is a strong return on a $12,799 median debt.
Dodge City Community College came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration schools. Located in the town of Dodge City, Dodge City Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,650 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,850. Graduates go on to earn a median of $45,427 ten years after entry.
Students looking for strong value in heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration will find it at Metropolitan Community College Kansas City, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Kansas City, Metropolitan Community College Kansas City is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,630, compared with $9,600 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,281 to complete the heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration program here. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration graduates of Metropolitan Community College Kansas City earn a median of $44,715 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,281 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Seward County Community College And Area Technical School earned it the #4 place for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration. Seward County Community College And Area Technical School is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Liberal. Students from in state pay about $4,032 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,408. Typical student debt for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration graduates is $9,175. Soon after graduation, heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration degree recipients from Seward County Community College And Area Technical School generally make around $53,375. That is a strong return on a $9,175 median debt.
Central Community College came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration schools. Set in the city of Grand Island, Central Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,360 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $4,800. Students borrow a median of $10,277 to complete the heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration program here. Soon after graduation, heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration degree recipients from Central Community College generally make around $43,218. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Fort Scott Community College placed #6 among the best values for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration. Set in the town of Fort Scott, Fort Scott Community College is a small public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,390 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $3,840. Students borrow a median of $12,990 to complete the heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration program here. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration graduates of Fort Scott Community College earn a median of $40,041 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Western Iowa Tech Community College placed #7 among the best values for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration. Western Iowa Tech Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Sioux City. In-state tuition and fees average $5,186, compared with $5,330 for out-of-state students. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration graduates carry a median of $11,886 in student loans. Early-career heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration graduates make about $36,401. That is a strong return on a $11,886 median debt.
Northeast Community College came in at #8 for value in heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration this year. Located in the town of Norfolk, Northeast Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,840 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $5,130. Typical student debt for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration graduates is $11,937. Early-career heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration graduates make about $40,568. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Wichita Area Technical College came in at #9 for value in heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration this year. Set in the city of Wichita, Wichita Area Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,237. Typical student debt for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration graduates is $11,828. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration graduates of Wichita Area Technical College earn a median of $35,358 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,828 median debt.
South Central College earned the #10 position for value in heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration this year. Located in the suburb of North Mankato, South Central College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $6,146 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration graduates is $13,139. Soon after graduation, heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration degree recipients from South Central College generally make around $46,447. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Southeast Community College Area ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration schools. Southeast Community College Area is a large public school located in the city of Lincoln. Students from in state pay about $3,444 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $4,032. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration graduates carry a median of $14,935 in student loans. Early-career heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration graduates make about $49,666. Set against $14,935 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Jefferson College ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration schools. Jefferson College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Hillsboro. In-state tuition and fees average $5,250, with out-of-state students paying around $8,850. Students borrow a median of $13,664 to complete the heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration program here. Early-career heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration graduates make about $47,560. Set against $13,664 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Washburn Institute Of Technology landed the #13 spot for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration value this year. Washburn Institute Of Technology is a small public school located in the city of Topeka. Students from in state pay about $8,880 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration graduates is $11,362. Early-career heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration graduates make about $39,749. Set against $11,362 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Ozarks Technical Community College came in at #14 for value in heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration this year. Set in the city of Springfield, Ozarks Technical Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,256, while out-of-state students pay about $7,040. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration graduates carry a median of $15,866 in student loans. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration graduates of Ozarks Technical Community College earn a median of $38,862 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,866 median debt.
St Cloud Technical And Community College ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration schools. Set in the city of Saint Cloud, St Cloud Technical And Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,124. Typical student debt for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration graduates is $10,394. Soon after graduation, heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration degree recipients from St Cloud Technical And Community College generally make around $57,178. That is a strong return on a $10,394 median debt.
Kirkwood Community College placed #16 among the best values for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration. Kirkwood Community College is a large public school located in the city of Cedar Rapids. Students from in state pay about $6,176 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,220. Typical student debt for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration graduates is $15,779. Early-career heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration graduates make about $41,681. Set against $15,779 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Manhattan Area Technical College placed #17 among the best values for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration. Manhattan Area Technical College is a small public school located in the city of Manhattan. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,844. Typical student debt for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration graduates is $15,499. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration graduates of Manhattan Area Technical College earn a median of $39,131 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,499 median debt.
Bismarck State College placed #18 among the best values for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration. Located in the city of Bismarck, Bismarck State College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,247, with out-of-state students paying around $7,331. Typical student debt for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration graduates is $13,340. Soon after graduation, heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration degree recipients from Bismarck State College generally make around $61,364. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Three Rivers Community College Poplar Bluff placed #19 among the best values for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration. Set in the town of Poplar Bluff, Three Rivers Community College Poplar Bluff is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,830 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,060. Typical student debt for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration graduates is $11,350. Soon after graduation, heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration degree recipients from Three Rivers Community College Poplar Bluff generally make around $37,259. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
North Iowa Area Community College came in at #20 for value in heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration this year. Located in the rural area of Mason City, North Iowa Area Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,653, while out-of-state students pay about $9,551. Students borrow a median of $12,043 to complete the heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration program here. Soon after graduation, heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration degree recipients from North Iowa Area Community College generally make around $44,466. Set against $12,043 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Hawkeye Community College landed the #21 spot for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration value this year. Hawkeye Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Waterloo. In-state tuition and fees average $6,525, while out-of-state students pay about $6,612. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration graduates carry a median of $17,001 in student loans. Early-career heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration graduates make about $41,902. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Hennepin Technical College came in at #22 for value in heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration this year. Located in the suburb of Brooklyn Park, Hennepin Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,940. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration graduates carry a median of $20,000 in student loans. Early-career heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration graduates make about $65,592. That is a strong return on a $20,000 median debt.
Neosho County Community College came in at #23 for value in heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration this year. Located in the town of Chanute, Neosho County Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,704. Typical student debt for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration graduates is $13,209. Soon after graduation, heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration degree recipients from Neosho County Community College generally make around $44,672. That is a strong return on a $13,209 median debt.
Century College landed the #24 spot for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration value this year. Century College is a large public school located in the suburb of White Bear Lake. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,214. Students borrow a median of $12,250 to complete the heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration program here. Soon after graduation, heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration degree recipients from Century College generally make around $52,488. Set against $12,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Hibbing Community College A Technical And Community College earned the #25 position for value in heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration this year. Located in the town of Hibbing, Hibbing Community College A Technical And Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,022. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration graduates carry a median of $17,029 in student loans. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration graduates of Hibbing Community College A Technical And Community College earn a median of $44,387 early in their careers. Set against $17,029 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rest of the Top 43 Best Value Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration this year:
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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 · 43 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 43 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.