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2026 Best Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration Schools in the Great Lakes Region

6 Colleges in the United States
2,785 Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration Degrees Awarded
$40,347 Avg Early-Career Salary

Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. The schools below stand out for the quality of their heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration programs.

College Factual analyzed 94 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration schools.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration in the Great Lakes Region

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration education in the Great Lakes Region.

Top Schools in Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration

1

Chippewa Valley Technical College tops our 2026 ranking of the best heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration schools. Chippewa Valley Technical College is a large public school located in the city of Eau Claire. There were roughly 70 heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration students who graduated with this degree at Chippewa Valley Technical College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration program make about $42,963 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete this degree. Get the full heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration details for Chippewa Valley Technical College

2

Students looking for a strong heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration program will find one at Western Technical College La Cross, which ranked #2. This moderately-sized public university is located in the city of La Crosse. Western Technical College La Cross awarded about 27 heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration degree from Western Technical College La Cross earn around $52,820 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $13,669. See the full heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration program report for Western Technical College La Cross

3

Students looking for a strong heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration program will find one at Northeast Wisconsin Technical College, which ranked #3. Northeast Wisconsin Technical College is a large public school located in the city of Green Bay. There were roughly 30 heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration students who graduated with this degree at Northeast Wisconsin Technical College in the most recent data year. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration graduates of Northeast Wisconsin Technical College earn a median of $42,016 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $14,997. Get the full heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration details for Northeast Wisconsin Technical College

4

Students looking for a strong heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration program will find one at Gateway Technical College, which ranked #4. This large public university is located in the city of Kenosha. There were roughly 52 heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration students who graduated with this degree at Gateway Technical College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration program make about $42,410 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $14,829. Get the full heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration details for Gateway Technical College

5

Moraine Valley Community College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration schools. This large public university is located in the suburb of Palos Hills. About 170 heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration degrees were awarded at Moraine Valley Community College in the most recent year. Graduates of the heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration program make about $43,844 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $11,149 to complete this degree. Get the full heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration details for Moraine Valley Community College

6
Ivy Tech Community College crest
Ivy Tech Community College
Indianapolis, IN

Ivy Tech Community College landed the #6 spot for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration this year. Located in the city of Indianapolis, Ivy Tech Community College is a very large public university. There were roughly 432 heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration students who graduated with this degree at Ivy Tech Community College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration degree recipients from Ivy Tech Community College generally make around $49,297. Students borrow a median of $6,595 to complete this degree. Get the full heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration details for Ivy Tech Community College

7

Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College landed the #7 spot for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration this year. Located in the town of Rice Lake, Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. There were roughly 45 heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration students who graduated with this degree at Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College in the most recent data year. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration graduates of Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College earn a median of $35,981 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $11,384 to complete this degree. Read more about the heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration program at Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College

8

Milwaukee Area Technical College placed #8 among the best heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration schools. Located in the city of Milwaukee, Milwaukee Area Technical College is a very large public university. Milwaukee Area Technical College awarded about 40 heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration degree from Milwaukee Area Technical College earn around $38,325 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $18,296. See the full heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration program report for Milwaukee Area Technical College

9

College Of Lake County placed #9 among the best heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration schools. Set in the suburb of Grayslake, College Of Lake County is a very large public institution. College Of Lake County awarded about 215 heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration degrees in the most recent data year. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration graduates of College Of Lake County earn a median of $50,314 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $9,785. More information about a degree in heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration from College Of Lake County

10
Oakton Community College crest
Oakton Community College
Des Plaines, IL

Oakton Community College earned the #10 position for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration this year. Located in the city of Des Plaines, Oakton Community College is a large public university. There were roughly 37 heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration students who graduated with this degree at Oakton Community College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration program make about $48,838 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $7,750. More information about a degree in heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration from Oakton Community College

11

University Of Northwestern Ohio placed #11 among the best heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration schools. Located in the suburb of Lima, University Of Northwestern Ohio is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 32% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 21 heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration students who graduated with this degree at University Of Northwestern Ohio in the most recent data year. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration graduates of University Of Northwestern Ohio earn a median of $42,690 early in their careers. University Of Northwestern Ohio graduates carry a median of $13,084 in student loans. Read more about the heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration program at University Of Northwestern Ohio

12
Harper College crest
Harper College
Palatine, IL

Harper College came in at #12 for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Palatine. About 26 heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration degrees were awarded at Harper College in the most recent year. Students who receive their heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration degree from Harper College earn around $44,523 in the first couple years of their career. Harper College graduates carry a median of $10,963 in student loans. See the full heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration program report for Harper College

13
Mid State Technical College crest
Mid State Technical College
Wisconsin Rapids, WI

Mid State Technical College came in at #13 for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the town of Wisconsin Rapids. Mid State Technical College awarded about 23 heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration program make about $41,678 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $11,626 to complete this degree. See the full heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration program report for Mid State Technical College

14

Elgin Community College came in at #14 for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration this year. This large public university is located in the city of Elgin. There were roughly 107 heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration students who graduated with this degree at Elgin Community College in the most recent data year. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration graduates of Elgin Community College earn a median of $24,513 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $7,727. See the full heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration program report for Elgin Community College

15

Waubonsee Community College placed #15 among the best heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration schools. This large public university is located in the rural area of Sugar Grove. There were roughly 23 heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration students who graduated with this degree at Waubonsee Community College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration degree recipients from Waubonsee Community College generally make around $39,659. Students borrow a median of $9,939 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration from Waubonsee Community College

16
Illinois Central College crest
Illinois Central College
East Peoria, IL

Illinois Central College placed #16 among the best heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration schools. Located in the suburb of East Peoria, Illinois Central College is a large public university. There were roughly 46 heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration students who graduated with this degree at Illinois Central College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration degree from Illinois Central College earn around $53,190 in the first couple years of their career. Illinois Central College graduates carry a median of $12,222 in student loans. More information about a degree in heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration from Illinois Central College

17

Waukesha County Technical College placed #17 among the best heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration schools. This large public university is located in the suburb of Pewaukee. There were roughly 12 heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration students who graduated with this degree at Waukesha County Technical College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration degree from Waukesha County Technical College earn around $46,398 in the first couple years of their career. Waukesha County Technical College graduates carry a median of $16,595 in student loans. See the full heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration program report for Waukesha County Technical College

18
College Of Dupage crest
College Of Dupage
Glen Ellyn, IL

College Of Dupage came in at #18 for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration this year. Located in the suburb of Glen Ellyn, College Of Dupage is a very large public university. There were roughly 66 heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration students who graduated with this degree at College Of Dupage in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration degree recipients from College Of Dupage generally make around $43,025. College Of Dupage graduates carry a median of $12,492 in student loans. See the full heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration program report for College Of Dupage

19

Southwestern Illinois College placed #19 among the best heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration schools. Located in the suburb of Belleville, Southwestern Illinois College is a large public university. About 40 heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration degrees were awarded at Southwestern Illinois College in the most recent year. Students who receive their heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration degree from Southwestern Illinois College earn around $44,345 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $10,388. More information about a degree in heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration from Southwestern Illinois College

20

Grand Rapids Community College came in at #20 for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration this year. This large public university is located in the city of Grand Rapids. There were roughly 30 heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration students who graduated with this degree at Grand Rapids Community College in the most recent data year. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration graduates of Grand Rapids Community College earn a median of $41,689 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $11,780 to complete this degree. Get the full heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration details for Grand Rapids Community College

21

Joliet Junior College landed the #21 spot for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration this year. Located in the suburb of Joliet, Joliet Junior College is a very large public university. There were roughly 16 heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration students who graduated with this degree at Joliet Junior College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration degree recipients from Joliet Junior College generally make around $40,118. Joliet Junior College graduates carry a median of $11,995 in student loans. Read more about the heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration program at Joliet Junior College

22

Lincoln Land Community College placed #22 among the best heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration schools. Located in the rural area of Springfield, Lincoln Land Community College is a moderately-sized public university. There were roughly 34 heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration students who graduated with this degree at Lincoln Land Community College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration program make about $28,504 in their early career. Lincoln Land Community College graduates carry a median of $6,292 in student loans. Read more about the heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration program at Lincoln Land Community College

23
Kaskaskia College crest
Kaskaskia College
Centralia, IL

Kaskaskia College came in at #23 for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration this year. Kaskaskia College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Centralia. About 16 heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration degrees were awarded at Kaskaskia College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration degree recipients from Kaskaskia College generally make around $45,658. Typical student debt for the program is $7,875. Read more about the heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration program at Kaskaskia College

24

Washtenaw Community College ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration schools. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Ann Arbor. There were roughly 43 heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration students who graduated with this degree at Washtenaw Community College in the most recent data year. Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration graduates of Washtenaw Community College earn a median of $45,332 early in their careers. Washtenaw Community College graduates carry a median of $17,616 in student loans. Get the full heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration details for Washtenaw Community College

25
Prairie State College crest
Prairie State College
Chicago Heights, IL

Prairie State College landed the #25 spot for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the suburb of Chicago Heights. About 11 heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration degrees were awarded at Prairie State College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration degree recipients from Prairie State College generally make around $37,500. Students borrow a median of $15,663 to complete this degree. See the full heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration program report for Prairie State College

Rest of the Top 50 Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration Schools

These schools also placed among the best for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration this year:

26
27
28
29
30
31
32
Auburn Career Center crest
Auburn Career Center
Concord Twp, OH
33
34
35
36
37
38
Ohio Business College Sheffield crest
Ohio Business College Sheffield
Sheffield Village, OH
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
Fortis College Columbus crest
Fortis College Columbus
Westerville, OH
49
50

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Notes and References

The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 94 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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