2026 Best Value Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician Schools in the Far Western Region
[Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician](/majors/mechanical-repair-technologies/heating-air-conditioning-ventilation-refrigeration/heating-air-conditioning-ventilation-and-refrigeration-maintenance-technology-technician/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 65 schools to find the best return on investment for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician students.
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2026 Best Value Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician Schools in the Far Western Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician Schools
Clover Park Technical College tops our 2026 list of the best value heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician schools in the Far Western Region. Located in the city of Lakewood, Clover Park Technical College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,634. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $15,154 in student loans. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/technician graduates of Clover Park Technical College earn a median of $42,209 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,154 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician will find it at Bates Technical College, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Tacoma, Bates Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,027 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,165. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $50,051.
A rank of #3 makes College Of Southern Nevada one of the best values for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician. College Of Southern Nevada is a very large public school located in the city of Las Vegas. Students from in state pay about $4,358 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $13,024. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $9,980 in student loans. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/technician graduates of College Of Southern Nevada earn a median of $35,850 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,980 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Honolulu Community College earned it the #4 place for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician. Located in the city of Honolulu, Honolulu Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,174, with out-of-state students paying around $8,310. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $10,868 in student loans. Soon after graduation, heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician degree recipients from Honolulu Community College generally make around $59,006. Set against $10,868 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician will find it at Spokane Community College, which ranked #5. Spokane Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Spokane. In-state tuition and fees average $5,461, with out-of-state students paying around $6,612. Typical student debt for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician graduates is $17,231. Soon after graduation, heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician degree recipients from Spokane Community College generally make around $42,862. Set against $17,231 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Bellingham Technical College came in at #6 for value in heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician this year. Located in the city of Bellingham, Bellingham Technical College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,431, while out-of-state students pay about $5,809. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $49,748.
Walla Walla Community College landed the #7 spot for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician value this year. Walla Walla Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Walla Walla. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,279, compared with $6,700 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician graduates is $15,500. Early-career heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician graduates make about $46,131. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Portland Community College earned the #8 position for value in heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician this year. Portland Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Portland. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,220, with out-of-state students paying around $10,440. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $20,648 in student loans. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/technician graduates of Portland Community College earn a median of $49,580 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Avtec Alaskas Institute Of Technology landed the #9 spot for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician value this year. Located in the rural area of Seward, Avtec Alaskas Institute Of Technology is a small public university. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/technician graduates of Avtec Alaskas Institute Of Technology earn a median of $38,191 early in their careers.
San Joaquin Valley College Bakersfield ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician schools. Set in the city of Bakersfield, San Joaquin Valley College Bakersfield is a small private for-profit institution. Students borrow a median of $16,318 to complete the heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician program here. Soon after graduation, heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician degree recipients from San Joaquin Valley College Bakersfield generally make around $40,615. That is a strong return on a $16,318 median debt.
Cet Coachella landed the #11 spot for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician value this year. Located in the suburb of Coachella, Cet Coachella is a small private not-for-profit university. Typical student debt for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician graduates is $6,160. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/technician graduates of Cet Coachella earn a median of $35,970 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $6,160 median debt.
San Joaquin Valley College Hesperia earned the #12 position for value in heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician this year. Set in the suburb of Hesperia, San Joaquin Valley College Hesperia is a small private for-profit institution. Students borrow a median of $16,318 to complete the heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician program here. Soon after graduation, heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician degree recipients from San Joaquin Valley College Hesperia generally make around $40,615. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Hacienda La Puente Adult Education came in at #13 for value in heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician this year. Hacienda La Puente Adult Education is a small public school located in the suburb of La Puente. Early-career heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician graduates make about $9,467. The acceptance rate is 100%.
San Joaquin Valley College Lancaster earned the #14 position for value in heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician this year. San Joaquin Valley College Lancaster is a small private for-profit school located in the suburb of Lancaster. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $16,318 in student loans. Soon after graduation, heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician degree recipients from San Joaquin Valley College Lancaster generally make around $40,615. Set against $16,318 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Baldwin Park Adult And Community Education placed #15 among the best values for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician. Set in the suburb of Baldwin Park, Baldwin Park Adult And Community Education is a small public institution. Early-career heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician graduates make about $28,942.
Capstone College came in at #16 for value in heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician this year. Located in the city of Pasadena, Capstone College is a small private for-profit university. Typical student debt for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician graduates is $9,500. Early-career heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician graduates make about $38,740. Set against $9,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northwest Hvac R Training Center earned the #17 position for value in heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician this year. Located in the city of Spokane, Northwest Hvac R Training Center is a small private not-for-profit university. Students borrow a median of $9,500 to complete the heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician program here. Soon after graduation, heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician degree recipients from Northwest Hvac R Training Center generally make around $39,949. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cet Colton ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician schools. Set in the suburb of Colton, Cet Colton is a small private not-for-profit institution. Typical student debt for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician graduates is $6,160. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/technician graduates of Cet Colton earn a median of $35,970 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $6,160 median debt.
Institute Of Technology Inc earned the #19 position for value in heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician this year. Set in the suburb of Clovis, Institute Of Technology Inc is a mid-sized private for-profit institution. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $9,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician degree recipients from Institute Of Technology Inc generally make around $39,935. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
San Joaquin Valley College Trades Education Center ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician schools. Set in the city of Fresno, San Joaquin Valley College Trades Education Center is a small private for-profit institution. Students borrow a median of $17,968 to complete the heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician program here. Soon after graduation, heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician degree recipients from San Joaquin Valley College Trades Education Center generally make around $40,615. Set against $17,968 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Perry Technical Institute placed #21 among the best values for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician. Perry Technical Institute is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Yakima. Typical student debt for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician graduates is $17,146. Early-career heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician graduates make about $57,782. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
San Joaquin Valley College Rancho Mirage earned the #22 position for value in heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician this year. San Joaquin Valley College Rancho Mirage is a small private for-profit school located in the suburb of Rancho Mirage. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $16,318 in student loans. Early-career heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician graduates make about $40,615. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Advanced Training Associates placed #23 among the best values for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician. Located in the suburb of El Cajon, Advanced Training Associates is a small private for-profit university. Students borrow a median of $6,310 to complete the heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician program here. Soon after graduation, heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician degree recipients from Advanced Training Associates generally make around $25,968. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mayfield College earned the #24 position for value in heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician this year. Set in the suburb of Cathedral City, Mayfield College is a small private for-profit institution. Typical student debt for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician graduates is $9,500. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/technician graduates of Mayfield College earn a median of $35,007 early in their careers. Set against $9,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
American College Of Healthcare Riverside placed #25 among the best values for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician. American College Of Healthcare Riverside is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Riverside. Students borrow a median of $12,125 to complete the heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician program here. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/technician graduates of American College Of Healthcare Riverside earn a median of $26,383 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician:
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 65 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 2 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.
