Best HVAC Programs

OverviewThe College of Business and Technology (CBT) is located in Miami, Florida. It specializes in professional degree programs that give students hands-on learning experience. Among all of its offerings, the business administration, information technology, allied health, and graphic design programs are the most popular. FeaturesYou can earn either an associate degree or a diploma in A/C Refrigerator Technology at CBT. Both programs fully train you in the installation, maintenance, and repair of refrigeration, heating, and AC systems. You can then use these well-earned credits to attain advanced education or jump right into the job market. CBT classes include:

• Fundamentals of DC/AC
• Electric Motors Application
• Fundamentals of Refrigeration
• Blueprints and Design Codes

NotablesCBT not only offers free career service assistance to its students (and alumni!), but it also provides free refresher courses after graduation. So you can keep your acquired skills and knowledge polished and up-to-date. CBT also hosts a number of free workshops and lectures.

OverviewNortheast Wisconsin Technical College (NWTC) is located in Green Bay. It offers more than 100 associate degrees, apprenticeship programs, and technical diplomas. Impressively, nearly 94 percent of NWTC students go on to find jobs after graduation.FeaturesNWTC offers a Technology Associate degree in HVAC that takes approximately two years to complete. Unique to the NWTC experience is the opportunity to study abroad and to become CPR, AED, OSHA, and EPA certified. Through NWTC you’ll become an expert in the following:

• Installation of HVAC systems
• Troubleshooting and repairing HVAC systems
• Working within both commercial and residential settings
• Product and building control

NotablesNWTC is recognized as an “Achieving the Dream Leader College,” a national award designating the school as highly committed to student success. Further, NWTC ranks within the top 1 percent of colleges for its communication technologies services, engineering technologies department, and its computer sciences support (Community College Week).

OverviewOne of the 16 members in the larger Wisconsin Technical College System, Chippewa Valley Technical College (CVTC) is located in Eau Claire. It is a relatively large school with over 6k enrolled students plus another 15k within the continuing education department. CVTC offers dozens of certification, diploma, and degree programs.FeaturesBoasting a 100 percent job placement rate, CVTC’s diploma in HVAC can get you where you want to go. And in under a year! The twelve-month technical degree covers AC systems, sustainable energy, geothermal and solar applications, equipment installation, and more. CVTC also offers a two-year associate degree that builds on this with classes covering:

• HVAC Systems Design, Balancing, and Drafting
• Principles of ACHR Electricity
• Gas, Oil, Electric, and Hydronic Heating
• CAD

NotablesAt CVTC you have access to academic advising, a student success specialist, college success seminars, health coverage, and much more. CVTC receives federal grant support, which is then filtered into its non-traditional occupation programs. This helps fund the non-traditional programs and its participating students.

OverviewWaubonsee Community College (WCC) proffers the traditional degree and diploma programs of any community college. But they also offer non-credit options for those who want to advance their career skills. This includes industry certification, workforce development training, and community engagement opportunities. Waubonsee Community College is located in Aurora, Illinois.FeaturesThe exhaustive HVAC curriculum at WCC (see classes below) means students are prepared for careers in both residential and commercial settings. You will take classes in which you’ll learn by doing, participate in an internship, and even take a certification course. You’ll also have the option of supplementing your education by taking a lot of unique electives, thus graduating as a well-rounded HVAC job candidate.

• HVACR Electrical Systems
• Residential Comfort Systems
• Sheet Metal Estimating, Fabrication, and Installation
• Advanced HVAC Controls

NotablesWCC has a reputation for providing highly individualized education to its students. Students participate in customized learning experiences and hands-on education, and they develop close relationships with faculty. On top of this, WCC offers tons of opportunities to get involved in student organizations and extra curriculars.

OverviewLocated in Des Plaines, Illinois, Oakton Community College (OCC) offers a plethora of on-campus and online education opportunities. From STEM to gender studies, OCC has something for everyone, including plenty of trade and professional programming. FeaturesThis 60 credit hour AAS in HVAC Technology degree at Oakton provides a general education core first, in humanities and the sciences. Then introduces you to the ins and outs of HVAC installation, repair, and maintenance. On top of the traditional heating, refrigeration, and energy management courses, you’ll also take these:

• Blueprint Reading for Building Trades
• Applied Physics
• Advanced Automatic Controls
• Facilities Management and Engineering

NotablesThere are endless ways to get involved in the OCC life that take place outside of the classroom. In fact, OCC has some of the best student activity opportunities of any community college. Through clubs, student organizations, and athletic programming, OCC encourages students to get involved and take on leadership roles.

OverviewWalla Walla Community College (WWCC) is located in Walla Walla, Washington. They offer perhaps the most degrees and academic programs of any community college on our list. From drama to fire science, WWCC has hundreds of academic opportunities.FeaturesBecoming an expert in HVAC through Walla Walla means taking classes on wind energy and thermodynamics in addition to classes on refrigeration and heating components. This program is ideal for those who want to apply their HVAC skills to sustainability and renewable energy. The following degree options are available in the HVAC department:

• AAS in Energy Systems Technology - HVACR
• Energy Systems Technology, Heating and Air Conditioning Certificate
• Energy Systems Technology, Advanced Heating and Refrigeration Certificate

NotablesA few years ago Walla Walla Community College was one of only a handful of colleges invited into the prestigious Achieving the Dream National Reform Network. This organization is the country’s most exhaustive higher education reform community. And it has caused better programming and more student achievement on the WWCC campus.

OverviewBrazosport College (BC) is based in Lake Jackson, Texas, but has served students all round the Southern Texas region for decades. BC offers four-year degrees in industrial management as well as health services and administration. Additionally, there are dozens of two-year certification options at BC in an array of fields and disciplines. Over 6k students attend BC.FeaturesBrazosport offers an Associate of Applied Science degree in HVAC that requires 60 completed credits or a certification that only requires 16 credits. Whichever track you enroll in, Brazosport provides a foundational education in everything HVAC. You can also choose to specialize as either a commercial or residential technician. Coursework covers:

• Shop Practices and Tools
• Gas and Electric Heating
• Cooperative Education in HVAC Technology
• Residential and Commercial Refrigeration

NotablesBC is consistently named among the Aspen Top 10 for Community College Excellence. This is the nation’s preeminent recognition of high achievement among U.S. community colleges. BC also boasts a record number of Pell Grant winners: over 20 percent of BC students receive one.

OverviewLake Technical School is based in Eustis, Florida with a few other campuses located throughout the state. It is organized into five departments: architecture and construction, health science, hospitality and tourism, manufacturing, and law, public safety, and security. Lake Technical also offers career training to students still in high school under their dual enrollment program.FeaturesAt Lake Technical School you will learn the basics of electricity and electrical components through coursework on heating, AC, and refrigeration electrical control. You will also learn how to design heating and cooling systems and how to prepare and analyze financial reports. At Lake Technical you will divide your time among three training areas:

• HVAC Helper (250 hours)
• HVAC Mechanic Assistant (250 hours)
• HVAC Mechanic (250 hours)

NotablesLake Technical’s stats speak for themself: over 93 percent of students graduate, 84 percent find job or school placement, and 88 percent get licensed. In addition to this, on average, graduates from Lake Technical make at least 25k annually in the early years of the career.

OverviewDelaware County Community College (DCCC) is a two-year school located in Philadelphia. Over 28k students attend DCCC and are enrolled in one of the 80 certificate or associate degree programs. DCCC is organized into five academic divisions: health, business and computer science, arts and humanities, STEM, and workforce development. FeaturesThough you cannot necessarily earn a certificate or degree in HVAC at Delaware County Community College you can take a number of classes on HVAC systems. This allows you to choose what you want to learn and how you want to specialize. For example, these classes are just a small sampling of what DCCC offers:

• Gas and Oil Heating
• AC and Heat Pumps
• Basic Residential Wiring
• Preparing for the NATE Exam

NotablesDCCC partners with several four-year universities in and around Philadelphia to allow students an automatic transfer. This includes renowned colleges such as Drexel University, Eastern University, and Saint Joseph’s.

OverviewPerry Technical Institute is a private, non-profit school located in South Central Washington state. It offers a dozen specialized technical training programs. And each program was specifically designed for career assurance and success.FeaturesPerry not only offers a two-year degree in HVAC technology, it provides an array of certification options with which to supplement the degree (see below). Through Perry you will gain a solid foundation in HVAC principles and applications. And you will graduate ready for entry-level technician work or advanced education.

• Indoor Air Quality
• Green Mechanical Systems
• Preventative Maintenance
• EPA Refrigerant

NotablesPerry is ranked first of 700 other community colleges and technical schools for its income mobility. Part of that is because Perry consistently provides nearly a half million dollars in scholarships each year. Finally, Perry’s job placement rate for its graduates hovers around an impressive 94 percent.

OverviewWith over a dozen campuses scattered throughout California and an extensive online education program, San Joaquin Valley College (SJVC) is a large school. It is a private, for-profit junior college that proffers certificates, associate degrees, and continuing education programming. SJVC’s most popular areas of study are health, business, and technology. FeaturesAt SJVC you can earn a HVAC certification in as few as 9 months or an Associate of Science in HVAC degree in approximately 15 months. Both prepare students fully for the EPA certification exam. And most students go on to become production supervisors, HVAC installers, repair specialists, and more. Some of the classes you’ll take at SJVC include:

• Theory and Applications of AC
• Theory and Applications of Electricity
• Theory and Applications of Refrigeration

NotablesSJVC has provided accessible, affordable education and career training for over 40 years. It gives students small class sizes, career counseling, and low student-to-teacher ratios. Most students earn at least a certificate from SJVC is as few as 7 months.

OverviewItawamba Community College (ICC) is comprised of three campuses in northeast Mississippi. Offering dozens of transfer, degree, and career certificate programs, ICC is also known for its athletic programming. Over 15k students attend ICC.FeaturesThe Associate of Science in HVAC degree program at ICC prepares students to become experts in all areas of HVAC technology. From installation to maintenance, operation to design, students learn everything they need to become successful HVAC technicians and mechanics. ICC classes include:

• Fundamentals of Electricity and Electronics
• Basic Compression Refrigeration
• Brazing and Piping
• Heat Load and Air Properties

NotablesICC is home to the EDGE program and EDGE center. This program gives students free education and training, paid employment, expert counseling and guidance, and even transportation benefits. It is specifically designed for students who need financial assistance paying for college.