2026 Best Value Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician Schools in Texas
[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.
College Factual analyzed 42 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 Texas
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. Located in the suburb of Lake Jackson, Brazosport College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,388, while out-of-state students pay about $4,711. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $6,625 in student loans. Soon after graduation, heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician degree recipients from Brazosport College generally make around $32,746. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #2 makes El Centro College one of the best values for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician. Set in the city of Dallas, El Centro College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,730 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,900. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $9,720 in student loans. Early-career heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician graduates make about $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. In-state tuition and fees average $4,920, while out-of-state students pay about $7,620. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $6,868 in student loans. Soon after graduation, heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician degree recipients from South Texas College generally make around $24,267. Set against $6,868 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #4 makes Del Mar College one of the best values for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician. Located in the city of Corpus Christi, Del Mar College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,500, with out-of-state students paying around $6,050. Students borrow a median of $7,476 to complete the heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician program here. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/technician graduates of Del Mar College earn a median of $40,661 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $7,476 median debt.
Wharton County Junior College came in at #5 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. In-state tuition and fees average $3,192, while out-of-state students pay about $5,904. Typical student debt for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician graduates is $10,916. 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.
Lamar State College Port Arthur earned the #6 position for value in heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician 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. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $33,385 in student loans. Soon after graduation, heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician degree recipients from Lamar State College Port Arthur generally make around $78,580. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Central Texas College landed the #7 spot for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician value this year. Located in the suburb of Killeen, Central Texas College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,750, while out-of-state students pay about $7,500. Typical student debt for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician graduates is $11,290. 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.
El Paso Community College landed the #8 spot for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician value this year. El Paso Community College is a very large public school located in the city of El Paso. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,274, with out-of-state students paying around $5,314. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $8,542 in student loans. Early-career heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician graduates make about $29,086. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The University Of Texas At Brownsville came in at #9 for value in heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician this year. The University Of Texas At Brownsville is a large public school located in the city of Brownsville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,148, with out-of-state students paying around $4,948. Typical student debt for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician graduates is $10,058. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/technician graduates of The University Of Texas At Brownsville earn a median of $30,343 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Kilgore College landed the #10 spot for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician value this year. Set in the town of Kilgore, Kilgore College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,160, while out-of-state students pay about $5,256. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $16,734 in student loans. Early-career heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician graduates make about $44,322. Set against $16,734 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
North Central Texas College earned the #11 position for value in heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician this year. Set in the town of Gainesville, North Central Texas College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,600, while out-of-state students pay about $5,739. Typical student debt for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician graduates is $15,965. 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.
South Plains College placed #12 among the best values for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician. Set in the town of Levelland, South Plains College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,733 in tuition and fees, 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. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/technician graduates of South Plains College earn a median of $30,949 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Texarkana College placed #13 among the best values for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician. 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, compared with $5,332 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,500 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 Texarkana College generally make around $29,535. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Houston Community College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician schools. Set in the city of Houston, Houston Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,040, while out-of-state students pay about $5,460. Students borrow a median of $19,000 to complete the heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician program here. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/technician graduates of Houston Community College earn a median of $26,250 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,000 median debt.
Lee College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician schools. Located in the city of Baytown, Lee College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/technician graduates of Lee College earn a median of $53,448 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,941 median debt.
Paris Junior College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician schools. Located in the town of Paris, Paris Junior College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,700, while out-of-state students pay about $5,700. Students borrow a median of $8,846 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 $28,207. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Panola College earned the #17 position for value in heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician this year. Located in the town of Carthage, Panola College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,352, with out-of-state students paying around $5,232. Graduates go on to earn a median of $36,072 ten years after entry.
San Jacinto Community College landed the #18 spot for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician value this year. Set in the city of Pasadena, San Jacinto Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,490 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,690. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $11,376 in student loans. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/technician graduates of San Jacinto Community College earn a median of $30,189 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,376 median debt.
Galveston College landed the #19 spot for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician value this year. Located in the city of Galveston, Galveston College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,726, while out-of-state students pay about $6,176. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $15,183 in student loans. Early-career heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician graduates make about $51,165. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lone Star College System came in at #20 for value in heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician this year. Located in the city of The Woodlands, Lone Star College System is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,664, while out-of-state students pay about $7,512. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician program here. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/technician graduates of Lone Star College System earn a median of $32,070 early in their careers. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Southwest Texas Junior College earned the #21 position for value in heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician this year. Southwest Texas Junior College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Uvalde. In-state tuition and fees average $2,646, while out-of-state students pay about $6,294. Typical student debt for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician graduates is $7,157. Soon after graduation, heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician degree recipients from Southwest Texas Junior College generally make around $25,528. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cisco College placed #22 among the best values for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician. Set in the rural area of Cisco, Cisco College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,710 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,140. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $10,875 in student loans. Early-career heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician graduates make about $17,820. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Tyler Junior College came in at #23 for value in heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician this year. Located in the city of Tyler, Tyler Junior College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,424, while out-of-state students pay about $4,536. Students borrow a median of $14,869 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 Tyler Junior College generally make around $43,348. Set against $14,869 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Blinn College placed #24 among the best values for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician. Set in the town of Brenham, Blinn College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,890, compared with $11,370 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician graduates is $16,465. Soon after graduation, heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician degree recipients from Blinn College generally make around $43,408. That is a strong return on a $16,465 median debt.
Fortis Institute Houston landed the #25 spot for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician value this year. Fortis Institute Houston is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Houston. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $13,000 in student loans. Early-career heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician graduates make about $30,110. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rest of the Top 32 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:
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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 5 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.
