by our College Data Analytics Team
[Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration](/majors/mechanical-repair-technologies/heating-air-conditioning-ventilation-refrigeration/) 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.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 23 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration, balancing cost against outcomes.
Pontotoc Technology Center tops our 2026 list of the best value heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration schools in Oklahoma. Located in the rural area of Ada, Pontotoc Technology Center is a small public university. Early-career heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration graduates make about $44,846.
A rank of #2 makes Western Technology Center one of the best values for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration. Located in the rural area of Burns Flat, Western Technology Center is a small public university. Early-career heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration graduates make about $40,264.
Gordon Cooper Technology Center is a great value for students pursuing a degree in heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration, landing the #3 spot this year. Gordon Cooper Technology Center is a small public school located in the town of Shawnee. Early-career heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration graduates make about $44,822.
Southern Oklahoma Technology Center came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration schools. Located in the rural area of Ardmore, Southern Oklahoma Technology Center is a small public university. Median earnings reach $29,012 ten years out.
A rank of #5 makes Caddo Kiowa Technology Center one of the best values for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration. Set in the rural area of Fort Cobb, Caddo Kiowa Technology Center is a small public institution. Graduates go on to earn a median of $21,576 ten years after entry.
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Eastern Oklahoma County Technology Center placed #6 among the best values for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration. Located in the rural area of Choctaw, Eastern Oklahoma County Technology Center is a small public university. Graduates go on to earn a median of $49,311 ten years after entry.
Kiamichi Technology Center Mcalester earned the #7 position for value in heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration this year. Located in the town of McAlester, Kiamichi Technology Center Mcalester is a mid-sized public university. Students borrow a median of $7,992 to complete the heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration program here. Early-career heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration graduates make about $23,333. That is a strong return on a $7,992 median debt.
Indian Capital Technology Center Muskogee earned the #8 position for value in heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration this year. Located in the town of Muskogee, Indian Capital Technology Center Muskogee is a mid-sized public university. Typical student debt for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration graduates is $9,500. Early-career heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration graduates make about $26,962. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Metro Technology Centers placed #9 among the best values for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration. Set in the city of Oklahoma City, Metro Technology Centers is a small public institution. Students borrow a median of $15,833 to complete the heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration program here. Early-career heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration graduates make about $48,236. Set against $15,833 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Oklahoma State University Institute Of Technology Okmulgee earned the #10 position for value in heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration this year. Oklahoma State University Institute Of Technology Okmulgee is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Okmulgee. Students from in state pay about $5,774 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,384 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,500 to complete the heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration program here. Soon after graduation, heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration degree recipients from Oklahoma State University Institute Of Technology Okmulgee generally make around $58,336. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Tulsa Technology Center landed the #11 spot for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration value this year. Set in the city of Tulsa, Tulsa Technology Center is a mid-sized public institution. Typical student debt for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration graduates is $11,384. Early-career heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration graduates make about $33,310. Set against $11,384 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Canadian Valley Technology Center placed #12 among the best values for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration. Set in the rural area of El Reno, Canadian Valley Technology Center is a mid-sized public institution. Early-career heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration graduates make about $46,777.
Red River Technology Center came in at #13 for value in heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration this year. Red River Technology Center is a small public school located in the rural area of Duncan. Soon after graduation, heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration degree recipients from Red River Technology Center generally make around $40,029.
Mid Del Technology Center ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration schools. Located in the suburb of Midwest City, Mid Del Technology Center is a small public university. Graduates go on to earn a median of $33,238 ten years after entry.
Oklahoma Technical College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration schools. Located in the city of Tulsa, Oklahoma Technical College is a small private not-for-profit university. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration graduates carry a median of $13,050 in student loans. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration graduates of Oklahoma Technical College earn a median of $33,154 early in their careers. Set against $13,050 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Tulsa Welding School Tulsa Campus earned the #16 position for value in heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration this year. Located in the city of Tulsa, Tulsa Welding School Tulsa Campus is a small private for-profit university. Typical student debt for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration graduates is $10,521. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration graduates of Tulsa Welding School Tulsa Campus earn a median of $33,572 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The ranking above is published 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 · 23 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.