2026 Best Value Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician Schools in the Great Lakes 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.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 94 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 the Great Lakes 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
Moraine Valley Community College earned the #1 spot for value among heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician schools in the Great Lakes Region. Located in the suburb of Palos Hills, Moraine Valley Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,822, while out-of-state students pay about $9,846. Typical student debt for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician graduates is $11,149. Soon after graduation, heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician degree recipients from Moraine Valley Community College generally make around $43,844. Set against $11,149 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Washtenaw Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician, landing the #2 spot this year. Washtenaw Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Ann Arbor. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,736, with out-of-state students paying around $6,504. Students borrow a median of $17,616 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 $45,332. That is a strong return on a $17,616 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician will find it at Lincoln Land Community College, which ranked #3. Located in the rural area of Springfield, Lincoln Land Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,744, while out-of-state students pay about $10,464. Typical student debt for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician graduates is $6,292. Soon after graduation, heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician degree recipients from Lincoln Land Community College generally make around $28,504. Set against $6,292 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #4 makes Elgin Community College one of the best values for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician. Elgin Community College is a large public school located in the city of Elgin. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,252, while out-of-state students pay about $9,516. Students borrow a median of $7,727 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 $24,513. Set against $7,727 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 Joliet Junior College, which ranked #5. Located in the suburb of Joliet, Joliet Junior College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,530, while out-of-state students pay about $13,800. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $11,995 in student loans. Early-career heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician graduates make about $40,118. Set against $11,995 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Ivy Tech Community College landed the #6 spot for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician value this year. Set in the city of Indianapolis, Ivy Tech Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,154, while out-of-state students pay about $9,935. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $6,595 in student loans. Early-career heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician graduates make about $49,297. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Waubonsee Community College earned the #7 position for value in heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician this year. Waubonsee Community College is a large public school located in the rural area of Sugar Grove. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,504, while out-of-state students pay about $10,464. Students borrow a median of $9,939 to complete the heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician program here. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/technician graduates of Waubonsee Community College earn a median of $39,659 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Harper College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician schools. Set in the suburb of Palatine, Harper College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,894, compared with $11,874 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician graduates is $10,963. Early-career heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician graduates make about $44,523. Set against $10,963 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
City Colleges Of Chicago Kennedy King College earned the #9 position for value in heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician this year. Located in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Kennedy King College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,590 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,150. Students borrow a median of $10,250 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 City Colleges Of Chicago Kennedy King College generally make around $48,264. Set against $10,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Prairie State College earned the #10 position for value in heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician this year. Prairie State College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Chicago Heights. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,176, while out-of-state students pay about $11,064. Typical student debt for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician graduates is $15,663. Early-career heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician graduates make about $37,500. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Oakton Community College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician schools. Set in the city of Des Plaines, Oakton Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,985, while out-of-state students pay about $12,462. Students borrow a median of $7,750 to complete the heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician program here. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/technician graduates of Oakton Community College earn a median of $48,838 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $7,750 median debt.
College Of Lake County earned the #12 position for value in heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician this year. Set in the suburb of Grayslake, College Of Lake County is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,788, with out-of-state students paying around $14,400. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $9,785 in student loans. Soon after graduation, heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician degree recipients from College Of Lake County generally make around $50,314. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of Dupage ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician schools. Set in the suburb of Glen Ellyn, College Of Dupage is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,560 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,750 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,492 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 College Of Dupage generally make around $43,025. Set against $12,492 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Gateway Technical College earned the #14 position for value in heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician this year. Set in the city of Kenosha, Gateway Technical College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,956 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,199. Typical student debt for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician graduates is $14,829. Soon after graduation, heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician degree recipients from Gateway Technical College generally make around $42,410. Set against $14,829 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Wayne County Community College District placed #15 among the best values for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician. Wayne County Community College District is a very large public school located in the city of Detroit. In-state tuition and fees average $3,112, while out-of-state students pay about $4,067. Students borrow a median of $20,820 to complete the heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician program here. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/technician graduates of Wayne County Community College District earn a median of $48,892 early in their careers. Set against $20,820 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Southwestern Illinois College placed #16 among the best values for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician. Southwestern Illinois College is a large public school located in the suburb of Belleville. In-state tuition and fees average $4,230, compared with $6,720 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician graduates is $10,388. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/technician graduates of Southwestern Illinois College earn a median of $44,345 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Kaskaskia College came in at #17 for value in heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician this year. Kaskaskia College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Centralia. Students from in state pay about $4,800 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,570 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,875 to complete the heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician program here. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/technician graduates of Kaskaskia College earn a median of $45,658 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College landed the #18 spot for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician value this year. Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Rice Lake. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,926, while out-of-state students pay about $7,169. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $11,384 in student loans. Soon after graduation, heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician degree recipients from Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College generally make around $35,981. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Milwaukee Area Technical College earned the #19 position for value in heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician this year. Located in the city of Milwaukee, Milwaukee Area Technical College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,184, while out-of-state students pay about $7,427. Students borrow a median of $18,296 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 Milwaukee Area Technical College generally make around $38,325. That is a strong return on a $18,296 median debt.
Waukesha County Technical College landed the #20 spot for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician value this year. Located in the suburb of Pewaukee, Waukesha County Technical College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,803, while out-of-state students pay about $7,046. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $16,595 in student loans. Soon after graduation, heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician degree recipients from Waukesha County Technical College generally make around $46,398. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northeast Wisconsin Technical College ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician schools. Located in the city of Green Bay, Northeast Wisconsin Technical College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,960, with out-of-state students paying around $7,203. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $14,997 in student loans. Soon after graduation, heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician degree recipients from Northeast Wisconsin Technical College generally make around $42,016. That is a strong return on a $14,997 median debt.
Auburn Career Center landed the #22 spot for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician value this year. Located in the suburb of Concord Twp, Auburn Career Center is a small public university. Students borrow a median of $10,807 to complete the heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician program here. Median earnings reach $37,032 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Kirtland Community College earned the #23 position for value in heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician this year. Set in the rural area of Grayling, Kirtland Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,190, with out-of-state students paying around $9,870. Students borrow a median of $17,333 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 Kirtland Community College generally make around $50,469. That is a strong return on a $17,333 median debt.
Chippewa Valley Technical College ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician schools. Located in the city of Eau Claire, Chippewa Valley Technical College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,844 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,087 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician graduates is $5,500. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/technician graduates of Chippewa Valley Technical College earn a median of $42,963 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mid State Technical College earned the #25 position for value in heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician this year. Located in the town of Wisconsin Rapids, Mid State Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,002, with out-of-state students paying around $7,171. Students borrow a median of $11,626 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 Mid State Technical College generally make around $41,678. Set against $11,626 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
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
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 · 94 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 6 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.
