2026 Best Value Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration Schools in the Far Western Region
[Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration](/majors/mechanical-repair-technologies/heating-air-conditioning-ventilation-refrigeration/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration education at a price that pays off.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 65 schools to find the best return on investment for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration students.
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2026 Best Value Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration Schools in the Far Western Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration Schools
Leading the list is Clover Park Technical College, our #1 best value for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration in the Far Western Region. Clover Park Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Lakewood. Students from in state pay about $6,634 in tuition and fees. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration graduates carry a median of $15,154 in student loans. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration graduates of Clover Park Technical College earn a median of $42,209 early in their careers. Set against $15,154 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Bates Technical College earned it the #2 place for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration. Set in the city of Tacoma, Bates Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,027, while out-of-state students pay about $12,165. Median earnings reach $50,051 ten years out.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at College Of Southern Nevada earned it the #3 place for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration. College Of Southern Nevada is a very large public school located in the city of Las Vegas. In-state tuition and fees average $4,358, compared with $13,024 for out-of-state students. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration graduates carry a median of $9,980 in student loans. Soon after graduation, heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration degree recipients from College Of Southern Nevada generally make around $35,850. That is a strong return on a $9,980 median debt.
Honolulu Community College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration schools. Set in the city of Honolulu, Honolulu Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,174, while out-of-state students pay about $8,310. Typical student debt for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration graduates is $10,868. Soon after graduation, heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration degree recipients from Honolulu Community College generally make around $59,006. Set against $10,868 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Spokane Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration, landing the #5 spot this year. Spokane Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Spokane. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,461, with out-of-state students paying around $6,612. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration graduates carry a median of $17,231 in student loans. Early-career heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration graduates make about $42,862. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Bellingham Technical College placed #6 among the best values for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration. Set in the city of Bellingham, Bellingham Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,431, compared with $5,809 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $49,748 ten years out.
Walla Walla Community College came in at #7 for value in heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration this year. Walla Walla Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Walla Walla. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,279, while out-of-state students pay about $6,700. Students borrow a median of $15,500 to complete the heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration program here. Soon after graduation, heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration degree recipients from Walla Walla Community College generally make around $46,131. Set against $15,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Portland Community College came in at #8 for value in heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration this year. Set in the city of Portland, Portland Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,220, with out-of-state students paying around $10,440. Typical student debt for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration graduates is $20,648. Early-career heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration graduates make about $49,580. Set against $20,648 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Avtec Alaskas Institute Of Technology landed the #9 spot for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration value this year. Avtec Alaskas Institute Of Technology is a small public school located in the rural area of Seward. Soon after graduation, heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration degree recipients from Avtec Alaskas Institute Of Technology generally make around $38,191.
San Joaquin Valley College Bakersfield came in at #10 for value in heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration this year. Located in the city of Bakersfield, San Joaquin Valley College Bakersfield is a small private for-profit university. Students borrow a median of $16,318 to complete the heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration program here. Soon after graduation, heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration degree recipients from San Joaquin Valley College Bakersfield generally make around $40,615. Set against $16,318 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cet Coachella ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration schools. Cet Coachella is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Coachella. Typical student debt for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration graduates is $6,160. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration graduates of Cet Coachella earn a median of $35,970 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $6,160 median debt.
San Joaquin Valley College Hesperia came in at #12 for value in heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration this year. Set in the suburb of Hesperia, San Joaquin Valley College Hesperia is a small private for-profit institution. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration graduates carry a median of $16,318 in student loans. Soon after graduation, heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration degree recipients from San Joaquin Valley College Hesperia generally make around $40,615. That is a strong return on a $16,318 median debt.
Hacienda La Puente Adult Education earned the #13 position for value in heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration this year. Located in the suburb of La Puente, Hacienda La Puente Adult Education is a small public university. Soon after graduation, heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration degree recipients from Hacienda La Puente Adult Education generally make around $9,467. Hacienda La Puente Adult Education admits about 100% of applicants.
San Joaquin Valley College Lancaster landed the #14 spot for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration value this year. Located in the suburb of Lancaster, San Joaquin Valley College Lancaster is a small private for-profit university. Typical student debt for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration graduates is $16,318. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration graduates of San Joaquin Valley College Lancaster earn a median of $40,615 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,318 median debt.
Baldwin Park Adult And Community Education ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration schools. Set in the suburb of Baldwin Park, Baldwin Park Adult And Community Education is a small public institution. Soon after graduation, heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration degree recipients from Baldwin Park Adult And Community Education generally make around $28,942.
Capstone College landed the #16 spot for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration value this year. Set in the city of Pasadena, Capstone College is a small private for-profit institution. Students borrow a median of $9,500 to complete the heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration program here. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration graduates of Capstone College earn a median of $38,740 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northwest Hvac R Training Center landed the #17 spot for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration value this year. Located in the city of Spokane, Northwest Hvac R Training Center is a small private not-for-profit university. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration graduates carry a median of $9,500 in student loans. Early-career heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration graduates make about $39,949. That is a strong return on a $9,500 median debt.
Cet Colton ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration schools. Set in the suburb of Colton, Cet Colton is a small private not-for-profit institution. Typical student debt for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration graduates is $6,160. Early-career heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration graduates make about $35,970. That is a strong return on a $6,160 median debt.
Institute Of Technology Inc came in at #19 for value in heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration this year. Set in the suburb of Clovis, Institute Of Technology Inc is a mid-sized private for-profit institution. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration graduates carry a median of $9,500 in student loans. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration graduates of Institute Of Technology Inc earn a median of $39,935 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,500 median debt.
San Joaquin Valley College Trades Education Center earned the #20 position for value in heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration this year. Set in the city of Fresno, San Joaquin Valley College Trades Education Center is a small private for-profit institution. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration graduates carry a median of $17,968 in student loans. Soon after graduation, heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration degree recipients from San Joaquin Valley College Trades Education Center generally make around $40,615. Set against $17,968 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Perry Technical Institute placed #21 among the best values for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration. Located in the city of Yakima, Perry Technical Institute is a small private not-for-profit university. Typical student debt for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration graduates is $17,146. Early-career heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration graduates make about $57,782. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
San Joaquin Valley College Rancho Mirage ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration schools. Located in the suburb of Rancho Mirage, San Joaquin Valley College Rancho Mirage is a small private for-profit university. Students borrow a median of $16,318 to complete the heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration program here. Early-career heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration graduates make about $40,615. Set against $16,318 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Advanced Training Associates ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration schools. 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 program here. Soon after graduation, heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration degree recipients from Advanced Training Associates generally make around $25,968. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mayfield College came in at #24 for value in heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration this year. Mayfield College is a small private for-profit school located in the suburb of Cathedral City. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration graduates carry a median of $9,500 in student loans. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration graduates of Mayfield College earn a median of $35,007 early in their careers. Set against $9,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
American College Of Healthcare Riverside came in at #25 for value in heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration this year. Set in the city of Riverside, American College Of Healthcare Riverside is a small private for-profit institution. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration graduates carry a median of $12,125 in student loans. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration 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.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration:
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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 · 65 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 2 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.
