2026 Best Value Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician Schools in the Southwest 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. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 85 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 the Southwest 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
For return on investment in heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician, no school beat Brazosport College this year. Set in the suburb of Lake Jackson, Brazosport College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,388, compared with $4,711 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician graduates is $6,625. Early-career heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician graduates make about $32,746. Set against $6,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
El Centro 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. Located in the city of Dallas, El Centro College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,730, compared with $6,900 for out-of-state students. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $9,720 in student loans. Soon after graduation, heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician degree recipients from El Centro College generally make around $28,849. That is a strong return on a $9,720 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at South Texas College earned it the #3 place for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician. Set in the city of McAllen, South Texas College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,920, with out-of-state students paying around $7,620. Typical student debt for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician graduates is $6,868. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/technician graduates of South Texas College earn a median of $24,267 early in their careers. Set against $6,868 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Pima Community College earned it the #4 place for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician. Located in the city of Tucson, Pima Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,442, compared with $7,758 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician graduates is $10,655. Soon after graduation, heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician degree recipients from Pima Community College generally make around $40,977. Set against $10,655 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #5 makes Del Mar College one of the best values for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician. Set in the city of Corpus Christi, Del Mar College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,500, while out-of-state students pay about $6,050. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $7,476 in student loans. Early-career heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician graduates make about $40,661. Set against $7,476 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Eastern New Mexico University Roswell Campus earned the #6 position for value in heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician this year. Eastern New Mexico University Roswell Campus is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Roswell. Students from in state pay about $2,256 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $5,616. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $11,110 in student loans. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/technician graduates of Eastern New Mexico University Roswell Campus earn a median of $21,129 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Central New Mexico Community College placed #7 among the best values for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician. Located in the city of Albuquerque, Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,060, compared with $8,684 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,112 to complete the heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician program here. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/technician graduates of Central New Mexico Community College earn a median of $34,751 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,112 median debt.
New Mexico State University Dona Ana earned the #8 position for value in heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician this year. Located in the city of Las Cruces, New Mexico State University Dona Ana is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,322, while out-of-state students pay about $6,360. Students borrow a median of $10,284 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 $39,399. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Wharton County Junior College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician schools. Located in the town of Wharton, Wharton County Junior College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,192 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,904 for out-of-state students. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $10,916 in student loans. Early-career heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician graduates make about $32,414. That is a strong return on a $10,916 median debt.
El Paso Community College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician schools. Located in the city of El Paso, El Paso Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,274, with out-of-state students paying around $5,314. Typical student debt for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician graduates is $8,542. Early-career heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician graduates make about $29,086. Set against $8,542 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lamar State College Port Arthur landed the #11 spot for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician value this year. Located in the city of Port Arthur, Lamar State College Port Arthur is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,770, while out-of-state students pay about $8,070. Typical student debt for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician graduates is $33,385. Early-career heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician graduates make about $78,580. Set against $33,385 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Central Texas College landed the #12 spot for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician value this year. Set in the suburb of Killeen, Central Texas College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,750, compared with $7,500 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,290 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 $53,086. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
North Central Texas College came in at #13 for value in heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician this year. North Central Texas College is a large public school located in the town of Gainesville. In-state tuition and fees average $3,600, with out-of-state students paying around $5,739. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $15,965 in student loans. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/technician graduates of North Central Texas College earn a median of $43,536 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The University Of Texas At Brownsville placed #14 among the best values for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician. Located in the city of Brownsville, The University Of Texas At Brownsville is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,148 in tuition and fees, compared with $4,948 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician graduates is $10,058. Soon after graduation, heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Brownsville generally make around $30,343. That is a strong return on a $10,058 median debt.
Kilgore College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician schools. Set in the town of Kilgore, Kilgore College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,160 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $5,256. Typical student debt for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician graduates is $16,734. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/technician graduates of Kilgore College earn a median of $44,322 early in their careers. Set against $16,734 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mohave Community College placed #16 among the best values for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician. Mohave Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Kingman. Students from in state pay about $2,208 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,968. Students borrow a median of $14,766 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 Mohave Community College generally make around $54,785. That is a strong return on a $14,766 median debt.
South Plains College earned the #17 position for value in heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician this year. Set in the town of Levelland, South Plains College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,733, with out-of-state students paying around $5,157. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $13,788 in student loans. Soon after graduation, heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician degree recipients from South Plains College generally make around $30,949. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Houston Community College earned the #18 position for value in heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician this year. Located in the city of Houston, Houston Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,040, compared with $5,460 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician graduates is $19,000. Soon after graduation, heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician degree recipients from Houston Community College generally make around $26,250. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Texarkana College came in at #19 for value in heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician this year. Located in the city of Texarkana, Texarkana College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,476, while out-of-state students pay about $5,332. Typical student debt for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician graduates is $10,500. Soon after graduation, heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician degree recipients from Texarkana College generally make around $29,535. That is a strong return on a $10,500 median debt.
Pontotoc Technology Center landed the #20 spot for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician value this year. Set in the rural area of Ada, Pontotoc Technology Center is a small public institution. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/technician graduates of Pontotoc Technology Center earn a median of $44,846 early in their careers.
Western Technology Center came in at #21 for value in heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician this year. Western Technology Center is a small public school located in the rural area of Burns Flat. Soon after graduation, heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician degree recipients from Western Technology Center generally make around $40,264.
Lee College landed the #22 spot for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician value this year. Located in the city of Baytown, Lee College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,520, while out-of-state students pay about $5,045. Students borrow a median of $10,941 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 $53,448. That is a strong return on a $10,941 median debt.
Cochise College came in at #23 for value in heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician this year. Cochise College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Sierra Vista. Students from in state pay about $2,280 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,120. Typical student debt for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician graduates is $12,013. Early-career heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician graduates make about $40,712. That is a strong return on a $12,013 median debt.
Panola College ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician schools. Located in the town of Carthage, Panola College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $2,352 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $5,232. Graduates go on to earn a median of $36,072 ten years after entry.
Paris Junior College placed #25 among the best values for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician. Set in the town of Paris, Paris Junior College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,700, with out-of-state students paying around $5,700. Typical student debt for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician graduates is $8,846. Soon after graduation, heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician degree recipients from Paris Junior College generally make around $28,207. 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 · 85 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 7 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.
