2026 Best Value Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration Schools in Texas
[Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration](/majors/mechanical-repair-technologies/heating-air-conditioning-ventilation-refrigeration/) 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 education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 42 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration schools.
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2026 Best Value Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration Schools in Texas
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration Schools
Our analysis ranked Brazosport College the best value for a degree in heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration in Texas. Brazosport College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Lake Jackson. Students from in state pay about $2,388 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $4,711. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration graduates carry a median of $6,625 in student loans. Soon after graduation, heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration degree recipients from Brazosport College generally make around $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, landing the #2 spot this year. El Centro College is a very large public school located in the city of Dallas. In-state tuition and fees average $2,730, while out-of-state students pay about $6,900. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration graduates carry a median of $9,720 in student loans. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration graduates of El Centro College earn a median of $28,849 early in their careers. Set against $9,720 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
South Texas College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration schools. South Texas College is a very large public school located in the city of McAllen. Students from in state pay about $4,920 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,620. Students borrow a median of $6,868 to complete the heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration program here. Early-career heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration graduates make about $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. Del Mar College is a large public school located in the city of Corpus Christi. In-state tuition and fees average $3,500, with out-of-state students paying around $6,050. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration graduates carry a median of $7,476 in student loans. Early-career heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration graduates make about $40,661. Set against $7,476 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Wharton County Junior College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration schools. Set in the town of Wharton, Wharton County Junior College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,192 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $5,904. Students borrow a median of $10,916 to complete the heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration program here. Soon after graduation, heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration degree recipients from Wharton County Junior College generally make around $32,414. Set against $10,916 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lamar State College Port Arthur came in at #6 for value in heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration this year. Lamar State College Port Arthur is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Port Arthur. 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 graduates carry a median of $33,385 in student loans. Soon after graduation, heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration degree recipients from Lamar State College Port Arthur generally make around $78,580. That is a strong return on a $33,385 median debt.
Central Texas College landed the #7 spot for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration value this year. Located in the suburb of Killeen, Central Texas College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,750, while out-of-state students pay about $7,500. Students borrow a median of $11,290 to complete the heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration program here. Soon after graduation, heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration degree recipients from Central Texas College generally make around $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 value this year. El Paso Community College is a very large public school located in the city of El Paso. In-state tuition and fees average $3,274, compared with $5,314 for out-of-state students. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration graduates carry a median of $8,542 in student loans. Soon after graduation, heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration degree recipients from El Paso Community College generally make around $29,086. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The University Of Texas At Brownsville placed #9 among the best values for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration. Set in the city of Brownsville, The University Of Texas At Brownsville is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,148, compared with $4,948 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,058 to complete the heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration program here. Soon after graduation, heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Brownsville generally make around $30,343. Set against $10,058 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Kilgore College came in at #10 for value in heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration this year. Located in the town of Kilgore, Kilgore College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $2,160 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,256 for out-of-state students. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration graduates carry a median of $16,734 in student loans. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration 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.
North Central Texas College earned the #11 position for value in heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration this year. Located in the town of Gainesville, North Central Texas College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,600, compared with $5,739 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,965 to complete the heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration program here. Early-career heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration graduates make about $43,536. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
South Plains College came in at #12 for value in heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration this year. South Plains College is a large public school located in the town of Levelland. In-state tuition and fees average $2,733, with out-of-state students paying around $5,157. Typical student debt for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration graduates is $13,788. Early-career heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration graduates make about $30,949. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Texarkana College earned the #13 position for value in heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration this year. Located in the city of Texarkana, Texarkana College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $2,476 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $5,332. Typical student debt for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration graduates is $10,500. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration graduates of Texarkana College earn a median of $29,535 early in their careers. Set against $10,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Houston Community College landed the #14 spot for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration value this year. Located in the city of Houston, Houston Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,040, with out-of-state students paying around $5,460. Typical student debt for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration graduates is $19,000. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration 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 came in at #15 for value in heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration this year. Lee College is a large public school located in the city of Baytown. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,520, with out-of-state students paying around $5,045. Typical student debt for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration graduates is $10,941. Early-career heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration graduates make about $53,448. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Paris Junior College earned the #16 position for value in heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration this year. Paris Junior College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Paris. Students from in state pay about $2,700 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,700. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration graduates carry a median of $8,846 in student loans. Soon after graduation, heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration degree recipients from Paris Junior College generally make around $28,207. Set against $8,846 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Panola College placed #17 among the best values for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration. Set in the town of Carthage, Panola College is a mid-sized public institution. 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 came in at #18 for value in heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration this year. San Jacinto Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Pasadena. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,490, compared with $6,690 for out-of-state students. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration graduates carry a median of $11,376 in student loans. Soon after graduation, heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration degree recipients from San Jacinto Community College generally make around $30,189. That is a strong return on a $11,376 median debt.
Galveston College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration schools. Galveston College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Galveston. Students from in state pay about $2,726 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,176. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration graduates carry a median of $15,183 in student loans. Soon after graduation, heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration degree recipients from Galveston College generally make around $51,165. Set against $15,183 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lone Star College System landed the #20 spot for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration value this year. Located in the city of The Woodlands, Lone Star College System is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,664, compared with $7,512 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration program here. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration graduates of Lone Star College System earn a median of $32,070 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Southwest Texas Junior College ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration schools. Located in the town of Uvalde, Southwest Texas Junior College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,646, with out-of-state students paying around $6,294. Typical student debt for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration graduates is $7,157. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration graduates of Southwest Texas Junior College earn a median of $25,528 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cisco College ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration schools. Located in the rural area of Cisco, Cisco College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,710, compared with $7,140 for out-of-state students. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration graduates carry a median of $10,875 in student loans. Soon after graduation, heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration degree recipients from Cisco College generally make around $17,820. That is a strong return on a $10,875 median debt.
Tyler Junior College came in at #23 for value in heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration this year. Located in the city of Tyler, Tyler Junior College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,424 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $4,536. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration graduates carry a median of $14,869 in student loans. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration graduates of Tyler Junior College earn a median of $43,348 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Blinn College came in at #24 for value in heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration this year. Located in the town of Brenham, Blinn College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,890 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,370 for out-of-state students. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration graduates carry a median of $16,465 in student loans. Early-career heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration graduates make about $43,408. That is a strong return on a $16,465 median debt.
Fortis Institute Houston ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration schools. Fortis Institute Houston is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Houston. Students borrow a median of $13,000 to complete the heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration program here. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration graduates of Fortis Institute Houston earn a median of $30,110 early in their careers. Set against $13,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rest of the Top 32 Best Value Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration:
More Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration Rankings
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 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.
