2026 Best Value Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician Schools in California
[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.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 42 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes 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 California
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician Schools
Our analysis ranked San Joaquin Valley College Bakersfield the best value for a degree in heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician in California. San Joaquin Valley College Bakersfield is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Bakersfield. Students borrow a median of $16,318 to complete the heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician program here. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/technician graduates of San Joaquin Valley College Bakersfield earn a median of $40,615 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,318 median debt.
A rank of #2 makes San Joaquin Valley College Hesperia one of the best values for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician. Located in the suburb of Hesperia, San Joaquin Valley College Hesperia is a small private for-profit university. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $16,318 in student loans. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/technician graduates of San Joaquin Valley College Hesperia earn a median of $40,615 early in their careers. Set against $16,318 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cet Coachella earned it the #3 place for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician. Cet Coachella is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Coachella. Students borrow a median of $6,160 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 Cet Coachella generally make around $35,970. That is a strong return on a $6,160 median debt.
A rank of #4 makes San Joaquin Valley College Lancaster one of the best values for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician. San Joaquin Valley College Lancaster is a small private for-profit school located in the suburb of Lancaster. Typical student debt for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician graduates is $16,318. 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.
Capstone College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Pasadena, Capstone College is a small 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 Capstone College generally make around $38,740. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Institute Of Technology Inc earned the #6 position for value in heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician this year. Located in the suburb of Clovis, Institute Of Technology Inc is a mid-sized private for-profit university. Students borrow a median of $9,500 to complete the heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician program here. Early-career heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician graduates make about $39,935. That is a strong return on a $9,500 median debt.
Cet Colton came in at #7 for value in heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician this year. Set in the suburb of Colton, Cet Colton is a small private not-for-profit institution. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $6,160 in student loans. Soon after graduation, heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician degree recipients from Cet Colton generally make around $35,970. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
San Joaquin Valley College Trades Education Center landed the #8 spot for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician value this year. San Joaquin Valley College Trades Education Center is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Fresno. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $17,968 in student loans. Early-career heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician graduates make about $40,615. Set against $17,968 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
San Joaquin Valley College Rancho Mirage landed the #9 spot for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician value this year. San Joaquin Valley College Rancho Mirage is a small private for-profit school located in the suburb of Rancho Mirage. Typical student debt for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician graduates is $16,318. Early-career heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician graduates make about $40,615. That is a strong return on a $16,318 median debt.
Hacienda La Puente Adult Education came in at #10 for value in heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician this year. Located in the suburb of La Puente, Hacienda La Puente Adult Education is a small public university. Early-career heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician graduates make about $9,467. Hacienda La Puente Adult Education admits about 100% of applicants.
Advanced Training Associates came in at #11 for value in heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician this year. 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. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/technician graduates of Advanced Training Associates earn a median of $25,968 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $6,310 median debt.
Baldwin Park Adult And Community Education ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician schools. Baldwin Park Adult And Community Education is a small public school located in the suburb of Baldwin Park. Early-career heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician graduates make about $28,942.
Mayfield College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician schools. Mayfield College is a small private for-profit school located in the suburb of Cathedral City. 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 Mayfield College generally make around $35,007. Set against $9,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
American College Of Healthcare Riverside placed #14 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. Typical student debt for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician graduates is $12,125. 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. That is a strong return on a $12,125 median debt.
Intercoast Colleges West Covina landed the #15 spot for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician value this year. Intercoast Colleges West Covina is a small private for-profit school located in the suburb of West Covina. Students borrow a median of $9,500 to complete the heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician program here. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/technician graduates of Intercoast Colleges West Covina earn a median of $38,137 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,500 median debt.
National Career Education ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician schools. Located in the suburb of Citrus Heights, National Career Education is a small private for-profit university. Students borrow a median of $9,316 to complete the heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician program here. Early-career heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician graduates make about $41,695. That is a strong return on a $9,316 median debt.
San Joaquin Valley College Ontario landed the #17 spot for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician value this year. San Joaquin Valley College Ontario is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Ontario. Students borrow a median of $16,318 to complete the heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician program here. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/technician graduates of San Joaquin Valley College Ontario earn a median of $40,615 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
United Education Institute Anaheim landed the #18 spot for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician value this year. Set in the suburb of Garden Grove, United Education Institute Anaheim is a small private for-profit institution. Typical student debt for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician graduates is $9,500. Soon after graduation, heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician degree recipients from United Education Institute Anaheim generally make around $33,444. That is a strong return on a $9,500 median debt.
Dehart Technical School came in at #19 for value in heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician this year. Located in the suburb of Modesto, Dehart Technical School is a small private for-profit university. Typical student debt for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician graduates is $8,950. Early-career heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician graduates make about $43,927.
Institute For Business And Technology ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician schools. Located in the city of San Jose, Institute For Business And Technology is a small private for-profit university. Students borrow a median of $9,316 to complete the heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician program here. Early-career heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician graduates make about $41,695. Set against $9,316 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
United Education Institute Ontario landed the #21 spot for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician value this year. Set in the city of Ontario, United Education Institute Ontario is a small private for-profit institution. 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 $33,444. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
United Education Institute Uei College Stockton landed the #22 spot for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician value this year. Set in the city of Stockton, United Education Institute Uei College Stockton is a small private for-profit institution. 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 $33,444. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
San Joaquin Valley College Temecula came in at #23 for value in heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician this year. Set in the city of Temecula, San Joaquin Valley College Temecula is a small private for-profit institution. Typical student debt for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician graduates is $16,318. 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.
United Education Institute Uei College San Marcos landed the #24 spot for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician value this year. Set in the suburb of Oceanside, United Education Institute Uei College San Marcos is a small private for-profit institution. Students borrow a median of $9,500 to complete the heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician program here. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/technician graduates of United Education Institute Uei College San Marcos earn a median of $33,444 early in their careers. Set against $9,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Uei College Riverside ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician schools. Located in the city of Riverside, Uei College Riverside is a mid-sized private for-profit university. Typical student debt for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician graduates is $9,500. Soon after graduation, heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician degree recipients from Uei College Riverside generally make around $30,235. That is a strong return on a $9,500 median debt.
Rest of the Top 36 Best Value Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician this year:
More Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician Rankings
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 42 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 36 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.
