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Finding the Best Value Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Engineering Technology/Technician School for You
The right heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician school can pay off for years to come. To help, we created our Best Value Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Engineering Technology/Technician Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
Learn more about our methodology
Customizing Your List
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Engineering Technology/Technician Schools list, to help you choose. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
Read more about College Factual’s methodology
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2026 Best Value Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Engineering Technology/Technician Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Engineering Technology/Technician Schools
Leading the list is Florida State College At Jacksonville, our #1 best value for heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician in the United States. Located in the city of Jacksonville, Florida State College At Jacksonville is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,657 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,631. Typical student debt for heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician graduates is $19,139. Early-career heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician graduates make about $46,748. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Seminole State College Of Florida earned it the #2 place for heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician. Located in the city of Sanford, Seminole State College Of Florida is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,122 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,447. Typical student debt for heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician graduates is $18,419. Soon after graduation, heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician degree recipients from Seminole State College Of Florida generally make around $48,049. Set against $18,419 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #3 makes Mt San Antonio College one of the best values for heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician. Set in the suburb of Walnut, Mt San Antonio College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,364 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,464. Students borrow a median of $9,384 to complete the heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician program here. Early-career heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician graduates make about $44,391. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Oxnard College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician schools. Located in the city of Oxnard, Oxnard College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,426, compared with $9,615 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $41,393.
El Centro College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician schools. Set in the city of Dallas, El Centro College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,730, with out-of-state students paying around $6,900. Students borrow a median of $14,557 to complete the heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician program here. Soon after graduation, heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician degree recipients from El Centro College generally make around $41,295. That is a strong return on a $14,557 median debt.
ADBLOCK #101
Fresno City College earned the #6 position for value in heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician this year. Located in the city of Fresno, Fresno City College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,378, compared with $8,638 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,234 to complete the heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician program here. Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Engineering Technology/technician graduates of Fresno City College earn a median of $37,470 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $7,234 median debt.
George C Wallace State Community College Dothan placed #7 among the best values for heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician. Located in the city of Dothan, George C Wallace State Community College Dothan is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,980, while out-of-state students pay about $8,850. Students borrow a median of $9,942 to complete the heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician program here. Soon after graduation, heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician degree recipients from George C Wallace State Community College Dothan generally make around $34,762. Set against $9,942 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of The Sequoias came in at #8 for value in heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician this year. College Of The Sequoias is a large public school located in the city of Visalia. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,394, while out-of-state students pay about $9,038. Students borrow a median of $10,288 to complete the heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician program here. Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Engineering Technology/technician graduates of College Of The Sequoias earn a median of $37,749 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Riverside City College landed the #9 spot for heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician value this year. Located in the city of Riverside, Riverside City College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,428, with out-of-state students paying around $12,498. Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Engineering Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $8,767 in student loans. Soon after graduation, heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician degree recipients from Riverside City College generally make around $48,911. That is a strong return on a $8,767 median debt.
Imperial Valley College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician schools. Located in the rural area of Imperial, Imperial Valley College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,126, compared with $8,830 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician graduates is $6,176. Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Engineering Technology/technician graduates of Imperial Valley College earn a median of $42,617 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Gavilan College placed #11 among the best values for heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician. Located in the rural area of Gilroy, Gavilan College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,508, with out-of-state students paying around $12,249. Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Engineering Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $5,939 in student loans. Early-career heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician graduates make about $28,496. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Sacramento City College earned the #12 position for value in heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician this year. Set in the city of Sacramento, Sacramento City College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,288, compared with $12,616 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician graduates is $13,180. Soon after graduation, heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician degree recipients from Sacramento City College generally make around $46,522. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Oakland Community College came in at #13 for value in heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician this year. Located in the suburb of Auburn Hills, Oakland Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,120, compared with $5,560 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,865 to complete the heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician program here. Soon after graduation, heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician degree recipients from Oakland Community College generally make around $43,205. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Butte College came in at #14 for value in heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician this year. Located in the rural area of Oroville, Butte College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,356 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,276. Typical student debt for heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician graduates is $13,302. Early-career heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician graduates make about $67,048. That is a strong return on a $13,302 median debt.
Cypress College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician schools. Cypress College is a very large public school located in the city of Cypress. In-state tuition and fees average $1,150, with out-of-state students paying around $12,379. Graduates go on to earn a median of $43,533 ten years after entry.
Orange Coast College came in at #16 for value in heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician this year. Set in the city of Costa Mesa, Orange Coast College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,392 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,640 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician graduates is $8,978. Soon after graduation, heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician degree recipients from Orange Coast College generally make around $46,306. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northwest Shoals Community College came in at #17 for value in heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician this year. Located in the city of Muscle Shoals, Northwest Shoals Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,131, with out-of-state students paying around $9,001. Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Engineering Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $13,312 in student loans. Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Engineering Technology/technician graduates of Northwest Shoals Community College earn a median of $33,842 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Gadsden State Community College came in at #18 for value in heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician this year. Set in the city of Gadsden, Gadsden State Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,272, while out-of-state students pay about $7,368. Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Engineering Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $9,312 in student loans. Soon after graduation, heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician degree recipients from Gadsden State Community College generally make around $36,407. Set against $9,312 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
St Philips College landed the #19 spot for heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician value this year. Located in the city of San Antonio, St Philips College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,412, with out-of-state students paying around $9,952. Students borrow a median of $15,653 to complete the heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician program here. Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Engineering Technology/technician graduates of St Philips College earn a median of $45,185 early in their careers. Set against $15,653 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Merced College landed the #20 spot for heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician value this year. Merced College is a large public school located in the city of Merced. Students from in state pay about $1,200 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,520. Students borrow a median of $9,024 to complete the heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician program here. Soon after graduation, heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician degree recipients from Merced College generally make around $45,032. Set against $9,024 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Indian River State College ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician schools. Indian River State College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fort Pierce. Students from in state pay about $2,764 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,201. Students borrow a median of $10,492 to complete the heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician program here. Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Engineering Technology/technician graduates of Indian River State College earn a median of $44,082 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Central Arizona College earned the #22 position for value in heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician this year. Located in the rural area of Coolidge, Central Arizona College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,250, with out-of-state students paying around $4,500. Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Engineering Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $11,635 in student loans. Early-career heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician graduates make about $48,826. That is a strong return on a $11,635 median debt.
Grayson College ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician schools. Grayson College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Denison. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,000, with out-of-state students paying around $6,300. Students borrow a median of $11,627 to complete the heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician program here. Soon after graduation, heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician degree recipients from Grayson College generally make around $42,487. Set against $11,627 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Palomar College landed the #24 spot for heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician value this year. Set in the suburb of San Marcos, Palomar College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,354, with out-of-state students paying around $10,650. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,300 ten years after entry.
El Camino Community College District landed the #25 spot for heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician value this year. Located in the suburb of Torrance, El Camino Community College District is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,144, while out-of-state students pay about $7,630. Median earnings reach $41,589 ten years out.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Engineering Technology/Technician Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician value ranking:
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