ADBLOCK #102
College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Value Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Engineering Technology/Technician Schools in the Southeast Region

1 Colleges in the United States
$12,120 Avg Student Debt
$35,357 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Engineering Technology/Technician Badge [Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Engineering Technology/Technician](/majors/engineering-technologies/environmental-control-technology/heating-ventilation-air-conditioning-and-refrigeration-engineering-technology-technician/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.

College Factual analyzed 71 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician schools.

What’s on this page:

ADBLOCK #159
DEBUG: Raw major_slug = ""
DEBUG: Initial offers_url = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/engineering-technologies/environmental-control-technology/heating-ventilation-air-conditioning-and-refrigeration-engineering-technology-technician/offers.json", major_slug = ""
DEBUG: After cleaning major_slug = ""
DEBUG: Before URL cleaning = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/engineering-technologies/environmental-control-technology/heating-ventilation-air-conditioning-and-refrigeration-engineering-technology-technician/offers.json"
DEBUG: After TrimSuffix = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/engineering-technologies/environmental-control-technology/heating-ventilation-air-conditioning-and-refrigeration-engineering-technology-technician/offers.json"
DEBUG: After HTTPS placeholder = "HTTPS_TEMP_PLACEHOLDERwww.collegefactual.com/majors/engineering-technologies/environmental-control-technology/heating-ventilation-air-conditioning-and-refrigeration-engineering-technology-technician/offers.json"
DEBUG: After slash cleaning = "HTTPS_TEMP_PLACEHOLDERwww.collegefactual.com/majors/engineering-technologies/environmental-control-technology/heating-ventilation-air-conditioning-and-refrigeration-engineering-technology-technician/offers.json"
DEBUG: After URL cleaning = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/engineering-technologies/environmental-control-technology/heating-ventilation-air-conditioning-and-refrigeration-engineering-technology-technician/offers.json"
DEBUG: offers_url = https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/engineering-technologies/environmental-control-technology/heating-ventilation-air-conditioning-and-refrigeration-engineering-technology-technician/offers.json
DEBUG: major_slug = ""
DEBUG: offers_url is valid, proceeding to fetch data
DEBUG: offers_data.offers found, count = 2
DEBUG: Specific major detected (cip4 = 15.05), keeping min_relevance at 0.8
DEBUG: Starting relevance filtering - min_relevance = 0.8, max_relevance = 1
DEBUG: Checking offer "Trade & Vocational Programs (HVAC)" with relevance 1
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "Trade & Vocational Programs (HVAC)" ACCEPTED (relevance 1)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Environmental Science (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" with relevance 0.5
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "Environmental Science (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" REJECTED (relevance 0.5)
DEBUG: relevant_offers count = 1
DEBUG: relevant_offers > 0, checking for ESYOH offers
DEBUG: ESYOH filtering - found 1 ESYOH offers with relevance >= 0.8
DEBUG: esyoh_offers count = 1
DEBUG: ESYOH offers found, rendering ESYOH widget
DEBUG: most_relevant_only = true, filtering for most relevant
DEBUG: Found 1 offers with relevance >= 1.0

2026 Best Value Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Engineering Technology/Technician Schools in the Southeast Region

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

1

Our analysis ranked Florida State College At Jacksonville the best value for a degree in heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician in the Southeast Region. Florida State College At Jacksonville is a very large public school located in the city of Jacksonville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,657, while out-of-state students pay about $9,631. Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Engineering Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $19,139 in student loans. Soon after graduation, heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician degree recipients from Florida State College At Jacksonville generally make around $46,748. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

2

Students looking for strong value in heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician will find it at Seminole State College Of Florida, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Sanford, Seminole State College Of Florida is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,122, with out-of-state students paying around $11,447. Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Engineering Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $18,419 in student loans. Soon after graduation, heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician degree recipients from Seminole State College Of Florida generally make around $48,049. That is a strong return on a $18,419 median debt.

3

Students looking for strong value in heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician will find it at George C Wallace State Community College Dothan, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Dothan, George C Wallace State Community College Dothan is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,980 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,850. Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Engineering Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $9,942 in student loans. 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. That is a strong return on a $9,942 median debt.

4

Northwest Shoals Community College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician schools. Northwest Shoals Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Muscle Shoals. In-state tuition and fees average $5,131, compared with $9,001 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,312 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 $33,842. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

5

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Gadsden State Community College earned it the #5 place for heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician. Located in the city of Gadsden, Gadsden State Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,272, with out-of-state students paying around $7,368. Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Engineering Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $9,312 in student loans. Early-career heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician graduates make about $36,407. Set against $9,312 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

ADBLOCK #101
6

Indian River State College landed the #6 spot for heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician value this year. Indian River State College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fort Pierce. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,764, while out-of-state students pay about $10,201. Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Engineering Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $10,492 in student loans. Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Engineering Technology/technician graduates of Indian River State College earn a median of $44,082 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,492 median debt.

7

H Councill Trenholm State Technical College landed the #7 spot for heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician value this year. Located in the city of Montgomery, H Councill Trenholm State Technical College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,190, with out-of-state students paying around $9,060. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $32,183.

8

Lawson State Community College Birmingham Campus ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician schools. Located in the city of Birmingham, Lawson State Community College Birmingham Campus is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,040, compared with $8,910 for out-of-state students. Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Engineering Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $11,769 in student loans. Early-career heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician graduates make about $40,090. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

9
Daytona State College crest
Daytona State College
Daytona Beach, FL

Daytona State College earned the #9 position for value in heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician this year. Located in the city of Daytona Beach, Daytona State College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,106, while out-of-state students pay about $11,994. Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Engineering Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $14,227 in student loans. Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Engineering Technology/technician graduates of Daytona State College earn a median of $43,320 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

10

Palm Beach State College earned the #10 position for value in heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician this year. Palm Beach State College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Lake Worth. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,050, with out-of-state students paying around $10,910. Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Engineering Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $12,518 in student loans. Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Engineering Technology/technician graduates of Palm Beach State College earn a median of $42,501 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

ADBLOCK #115
11

Marion Technical College Ocala placed #11 among the best values for heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician. Set in the city of Ocala, Marion Technical College Ocala is a small public institution. Students borrow a median of $8,750 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 $31,100. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

12

South Dade Technical College South Dade Skills Center Campus came in at #12 for value in heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician this year. Set in the suburb of HOMESTEAD, South Dade Technical College South Dade Skills Center Campus is a small public institution. Soon after graduation, heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician degree recipients from South Dade Technical College South Dade Skills Center Campus generally make around $28,785.

13

Technical Education Center Osceola landed the #13 spot for heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician value this year. Technical Education Center Osceola is a small public school located in the suburb of Kissimmee. Students borrow a median of $10,812 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 $29,420. That is a strong return on a $10,812 median debt.

14

Manatee Technical College placed #14 among the best values for heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician. Set in the suburb of Bradenton, Manatee Technical College is a small public institution. Students borrow a median of $9,726 to complete the heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician program here. Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Engineering Technology/technician graduates of Manatee Technical College earn a median of $38,735 early in their careers. Set against $9,726 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

15

Tom P Haney Technical Center came in at #15 for value in heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician this year. Located in the suburb of Panama City, Tom P Haney Technical Center is a small public university. Early-career heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician graduates make about $29,660.

ADBLOCK #145
16

Shelton State Community College landed the #16 spot for heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician value this year. Located in the city of Tuscaloosa, Shelton State Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,127, with out-of-state students paying around $8,997. Students borrow a median of $10,688 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 $49,403. Set against $10,688 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

17

Radford M Locklin Technical Center earned the #17 position for value in heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician this year. Set in the rural area of Milton, Radford M Locklin Technical Center is a small public institution. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $35,997.

18

Lindsey Hopkins Technical College earned the #18 position for value in heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician this year. Lindsey Hopkins Technical College is a small public school located in the city of Miami. Graduates go on to earn a median of $34,107 ten years after entry.

19
Lively Technical Center crest
Lively Technical Center
Tallahassee, FL

Lively Technical Center placed #19 among the best values for heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician. Lively Technical Center is a small public school located in the city of Tallahassee. Students borrow a median of $10,260 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 Lively Technical Center generally make around $31,226. Set against $10,260 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

20

Sheridan Technical College placed #20 among the best values for heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician. Set in the suburb of Hollywood, Sheridan Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. Students borrow a median of $7,698 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 Sheridan Technical College generally make around $29,243. Set against $7,698 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

ADBLOCK #150
21

Fred K Marchman Technical College landed the #21 spot for heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician value this year. Set in the suburb of New Port Richey, Fred K Marchman Technical College is a small public institution. Early-career heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician graduates make about $28,096.

22

George C Wallace State Community College Hanceville placed #22 among the best values for heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician. George C Wallace State Community College Hanceville is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Hanceville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,220, with out-of-state students paying around $9,090. Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Engineering Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $13,146 in student loans. Early-career heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician graduates make about $40,017. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

23
First Coast Technical College crest
First Coast Technical College
Saint Augustine, FL

First Coast Technical College landed the #23 spot for heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician value this year. Located in the suburb of Saint Augustine, First Coast Technical College is a small public university. Median earnings reach $33,784 ten years out.

24
Charlotte Technical College crest
Charlotte Technical College
Port Charlotte, FL

Charlotte Technical College earned the #24 position for value in heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician this year. Located in the suburb of Port Charlotte, Charlotte Technical College is a small public university. Students from in state pay about $3,110 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,110. Students borrow a median of $9,875 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 Charlotte Technical College generally make around $36,503. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

25
Florida Academy crest
Florida Academy
Fort Myers, FL

Florida Academy came in at #25 for value in heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician this year. Located in the city of Fort Myers, Florida Academy is a small private for-profit university. Typical student debt for heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician graduates is $6,577. Early-career heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician graduates make about $42,769.

Rest of the Top 43 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:

26
27
Atlantic Technical College crest
Atlantic Technical College
Coconut Creek, FL
28
29
30
Okaloosa Technical College crest
Okaloosa Technical College
Fort Walton Beach, FL
31
32
33
34
35
Cbt College Cutler Bay crest
Cbt College Cutler Bay
Cutler Bay, FL
36
37
Ayers Career College crest
Ayers Career College
Shreveport, LA
38
Iti Technical College crest
Iti Technical College
Baton Rouge, LA
39
40
41
Ridge Technical College crest
Ridge Technical College
Winter Haven, FL
42
43

Narrow Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Engineering Technology/Technician Schools by State

ADBLOCK #173
View All Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Engineering Technology/Technician Rankings >

ADBLOCK #115

Notes and References

The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 71 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

ADBLOCK #116

Popular Reports

College Rankings
Best by Location
Degree Guides by Major
Graduate Programs
ADBLOCK #613

Compare Your School Options