2026 Best Value Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician Schools in Illinois
[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/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 31 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician schools.
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2026 Best Value Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician Schools in Illinois
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
Leading the list is Moraine Valley Community College, our #1 best value for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician in Illinois. Set in the suburb of Palos Hills, Moraine Valley Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,822, compared with $9,846 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician graduates is $11,149. Early-career heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician graduates make about $43,844. That is a strong return on a $11,149 median debt.
A rank of #2 makes City Colleges Of Chicago Kennedy King College one of the best values for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician. City Colleges Of Chicago Kennedy King College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Chicago. Students from in state pay about $4,590 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lincoln Land Community College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician schools. Set in the rural area of Springfield, Lincoln Land Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,744, with out-of-state students paying around $10,464. Typical student debt for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician graduates is $6,292. Early-career heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician graduates make about $28,504. That is a strong return on a $6,292 median debt.
A rank of #4 makes Prairie State College one of the best values for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician. Located in the suburb of Chicago Heights, Prairie State College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,176, compared with $11,064 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,663 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 Prairie State College generally make around $37,500. Set against $15,663 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Joliet Junior 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 suburb of Joliet, Joliet Junior College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,530, compared with $13,800 for out-of-state students. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $11,995 in student loans. Soon after graduation, heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician degree recipients from Joliet Junior College generally make around $40,118. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Elgin Community College placed #6 among 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. Students from in state pay about $3,252 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,516. Typical student debt for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician graduates is $7,727. Soon after graduation, heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician degree recipients from Elgin Community College generally make around $24,513. That is a strong return on a $7,727 median debt.
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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,504, compared with $10,464 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,939 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 Waubonsee Community College generally make around $39,659. That is a strong return on a $9,939 median debt.
College Of Dupage landed the #8 spot for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician value this year. College Of Dupage is a very large public school located in the suburb of Glen Ellyn. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,560, compared with $12,750 for out-of-state students. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $12,492 in student loans. 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.
Harper College came in at #9 for value in heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician this year. Harper College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Palatine. In-state tuition and fees average $3,894, while out-of-state students pay about $11,874. Students borrow a median of $10,963 to complete the heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician program here. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/technician graduates of Harper College earn a median of $44,523 early in their careers. Set against $10,963 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Oakton Community College placed #10 among the best values for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician. Set in the city of Des Plaines, Oakton Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,985, compared with $12,462 for out-of-state students. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $7,750 in student loans. Early-career heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician graduates make about $48,838. That is a strong return on a $7,750 median debt.
College Of Lake County ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician schools. Set in the suburb of Grayslake, College Of Lake County is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,788, while out-of-state students pay about $14,400. Students borrow a median of $9,785 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 $50,314. That is a strong return on a $9,785 median debt.
Kaskaskia College earned the #12 position for value in heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician this year. Located in the rural area of Centralia, Kaskaskia College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,800, while out-of-state students pay about $12,570. Typical student debt for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician graduates is $7,875. Soon after graduation, heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician degree recipients from Kaskaskia College generally make around $45,658. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Southwestern Illinois College came in at #13 for value in heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician this year. Southwestern Illinois College is a large public school located in the suburb of Belleville. Students from in state pay about $4,230 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,720. Students borrow a median of $10,388 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 $44,345. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Illinois Central College landed the #14 spot for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician value this year. Located in the suburb of East Peoria, Illinois Central College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,800 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,150 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,222 to complete the heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician program here. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/technician graduates of Illinois Central College earn a median of $53,190 early in their careers. Set against $12,222 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Stautzenberger College Rockford Career College landed the #15 spot for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician value this year. Located in the city of Rockford, Stautzenberger College Rockford Career College is a small private for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,699. Students borrow a median of $13,730 to complete the heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician program here. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/technician graduates of Stautzenberger College Rockford Career College earn a median of $33,403 early in their careers. Set against $13,730 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Hvac Technical Institute placed #16 among the best values for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician. Set in the city of Chicago, Hvac Technical Institute is a small private for-profit institution. Students borrow a median of $6,851 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 Hvac Technical Institute generally make around $41,644.
Eti School Of Skilled Trades ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician schools. Set in the suburb of Willowbrook, Eti School Of Skilled Trades 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 Eti School Of Skilled Trades generally make around $39,169. Set against $9,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
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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 · 31 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 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.
