15 Top AC Technician Schools

Students that are at least 16 years of age and have either a GED or high school diploma are eligible to enroll in the Air Conditioning Technology program at Atlanta Technical College (@AtlTechCollege). The program combines theoretical and practical training providing students with the necessary knowledge and skills to begin a career as an AC tech.

The college offers an air conditioning technician assistant certificate which is made up of 9 credits; a heating and air conditioning installation technician certificate, which comprises 12 credits; and an air conditioning technology diploma which consists of 52 credits.

As part of the program, students will delve into topics such as refrigeration fundamentals; refrigeration principles & practice; HVAC/R electrical fundamentals; HVAC/R electrical motors; gas heat; heat pumps & related systems; and troubleshooting air conditioning systems; among others.

• Location: Atlanta, GA
• Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
• Expected Time to Completion: Certificates (one term each); diploma (three terms)
• Estimated Tuition: Certificates ($3,170 each); diploma ($8,209)

AVTEC is also known as Alaska's Institute of Technology and offers a variety of career-focused programs, including a Refrigeration program. For adult students, the program has minimum TABE scores in reading and math for admission. Students will experience an even balance of both classroom and hands-on training on their way to this refrigeration certification.

This program focuses on both refrigeration and air conditioning technologies over 630 training hours. The curriculum includes courses such as basic refrigeration; electricity; advanced refrigeration; and employability skills. During this program, students will receive training and testing for industry certifications such as:

• The 10-hour OSHA Construction Safety Certification
• Industry Competency Exam (ICE)
• EPA 608 Refrigeration Technician, and
• Industrial First Aid and CPR

Students in this fast-paced program will train on a variety of commercial and domestic refrigeration systems and will learn to install, troubleshoot, and repair refrigeration systems, heat pumps, air conditioning systems, evaporators, compressors, condensers, control valves, control devices, electrical wiring, and electrical controls and motors.

• Location: Seward, AK
• Accreditation: Council on Occupational Education (COE); PAHRA
• Expected Time to Completion: 19 weeks
• Estimated Tuition: $2,858

The College of Business Technology, or CBT College (@cbtcollege), has three locations throughout Miami-Dade County, all of which are nationally accredited by ACICS.

The CBT College A/C and Refrigeration Technology program is designed to last 8 months and end with a technical diploma. Credits from the A/C diploma can be applied to the college's Associate Degree in Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Technology track. These hands-on programs will help students develop the skills and knowledge for installing, maintaining, and repairing HVAC/R systems of all types.

The diploma consists of 24 credits, while the AS in A/C refrigeration technology program comprises 60 credits. Sample some of the courses in the curriculum: Electric motors application; fundamentals of refrigeration; principles & applications of electricity; refrigeration systems; air conditioning systems; blueprints & design code; advanced automatic controls; construction estimating; and chilled-water air conditioning systems, among others.

• Location: Cutler Bay, FL; Miami, FL; Hialeah, FL
• Accreditation: Accredited Council of Independent Colleges & Schools (ACICS)
• Expected Time to Completion: Diploma (8 months); AS degree (20 months)
• Estimated Tuition: $498 per semester credit

Central Carolina Technical College (@CentralCarolina), with several locations in South Carolina, is an excellent place to study air conditioning technology. The college offers a certificate in Basic Air Conditioning and Heating (BACH) with both day and evening classes. In 42 semester-hours, students learn the AC tech school basics, including installation, maintenance, and even sales.

Some of the topics students will explore include basic electricity for HVAC/R; tools and service techniques; heating fundamentals; basic air conditioning; automatic controls; codes & ordinances; duct fabrication; domestic refrigeration; and heat pumps.

Graduates of the basic HVAC certificate program may enroll in the advanced HVAC certificate to further develop their skills. Completion of the advanced HVAC certificate requires an additional 25 semester-hours.

• Location: Sumter, SC
• Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC); HVAC Excellence
• Expected Time to Completion: Day program (three semesters); evening (five semesters)
• Estimated Tuition: Students from Clarendon, Lee, Kershaw, and Sumter Counties ($194 per credit); students from other counties in the state ($227 per credit); Students from out-of-state ($331 per credit)

The College of Southern Nevada, with locations in North Las Vegas, Charleston, and Henderson, offers five AAS degree programs and four certificates in air conditioning technology. Providing advanced HVAC/R training, these programs emphasize hands-on methods and practical skills to prepare students in analyzing, synthesizing, and solving problems related to HVAC/R.

The certificate programs offered by the College of Southern Nevada include:

• Air Conditioning Technology (40.5 credits)
• Air Conditioning Technology: Central Plant (41 credits)
• Air Conditioning Technology: Critical Systems (40 credits)
• Air Conditioning Technology: Food Service Refrigeration (42.5 credits)

The AAS degree programs include:

• Air Conditioning Technology (60 credits)
• Air Conditioning Technology: Building Automation (60 credits)
• Air Conditioning Technology: Central Plant (60 credits)
• Air Conditioning Technology: Critical Systems (60 credits)
• Air Conditioning Technology: Food Service Refrigeration (61.5 credits)

The curriculum includes courses such as residential gas heating; introduction to HVAC electrical theory and application; commercial refrigeration; heat pumps; copper fundamentals; boiler operation and maintenance; HVAC automatic controls; industrial electricity; and equipment cooling, among others.

Graduates of these programs are prepared to obtain their EPA 608 certification and HVAC Excellence Employment Readiness certification. The college also offers an Entry-Level Air Conditioning Technician program which is made up of 18.5 credits.

• Location: Henderson, NV; Las Vegas, NV; North Las Vegas, NV
• Accreditation: Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU); PAHRA; HVAC Excellence
• Expected Time to Completion: Certificates (one year each); AAS degrees (two years each)
• Estimated Tuition: Nevada resident ($3,440 per year); out-of-state ($11,340 per year)

The Dallas County Community College campuses in Cedar Valley and Eastfield both offer students the opportunity to study Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Technology. These programs prepare students for the EPA Section 608 exam and the ICE and state contracting exams.

The college offers two certificates and two degrees in HVAC technology. The programs include several residential technician certificates and AAS degrees.

The technician I residential certificate consists of 24 credits, including courses such as air conditioning control principles; basic electricity for HVAC; refrigeration principles; gas & electric heating; heat pumps; and residential air conditioning.

The level II residential certificate is made up of 48 credits and includes all courses from the technician I certificate. Additional courses in this program include a composition and math elective; air conditioning installation and startup; residential air conditioning systems design; and air conditioning troubleshooting.

The residential AAS requires the successful completion of 60 credits. It includes all courses mentioned above, with additional coursework in the introduction to speech communication; humanities/fine arts; general psychology; and cooperative education-HVAC/R.

Finally, the commercial air conditioning and refrigeration technology AAS comprises 60 credits, including coursework similar to that of the residential AAS. This program only replaces the residential air conditioning systems design, and air conditioning installation and startup courses with commercial refrigeration and air conditioning.

• Location: Dallas County, TX
• Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
• Expected Time to Completion: AAS degrees (four semesters each); residential technician I certificate (two semesters); residential technician III level II certificate (three semesters)
• Estimated Tuition: Dallas County residents ($79 per credit); out-of-county residents ($135 per credit)

Elgin Community College, located in Elgin, Illinois, offers an AAS degree program in HVAC which comprises 62.5 credits. The college also offers three vocational certificates in sheet metal mechanics (34.5 credits), HVAC facilities maintenance technician (46.5 credits), and light commercial HVAC service tech (38.5 credits), and three basic certificates in residential HVAC systems (12.5 credits), residential HVAC service technician (26.5 credits), and refrigeration service technician (18.5 credits).

Some of the topics students will explore include air conditioning and refrigeration; basic electricity and HVAC/R controls; basic sheet metal; basic heating gas/oil; refrigerant recovery certification; commercial air conditioning; blueprint reading for heating and AC; electrical motor control; and heat pumps and electric heat, among others.

Students in these programs will be prepared to pursue high-paying careers in the HVAC industry. They will be able to work in both residential as well as commercial settings. The faculty of the program include professionals who have years of experience in HVAC.

• Location: Elgin, IL
• Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission; PAHRA
• Expected Time to Completion: AAS (four semesters); sheet metal mechanics (two semesters); light commercial HVAC service tech (three semesters); residential HVAC service technician (two semesters); residential HVAC systems (one semester); HVAC facilities maintenance tech (four semesters); refrigeration service technician (one semester)
• Estimated Tuition: In-district resident ($132 per credit); out-of-district Resident ($297 per credit); out-of-state ($396 credit)

Honolulu Community College in Hawaii (@HonoluluCC) is not a surprising place to find a program in Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Technology. The hot and humid climates of Hawaii are exactly the conditions in which a trained AC tech would be required. Students can earn an Associate of Applied Science degree or a Certificate of Achievement. Prospective students must demonstrate proficiency in math and English before enrolling in the Air Conditioning program.

The certificate of achievement is made up of 48 credits, while the associate of applied science degree consists of 63 credits. Sample some of the courses in the curriculum: technical college mathematics; basic refrigeration; composition I advanced technical writing; commercial refrigeration; air conditioning I and II; and additional general education courses.

Upon successful completion, graduates can repair and maintain HVAC/R equipment as per National Standards and gain employment in the HVAC field. They will gain the technical knowledge and hands-on skills required for becoming efficient and successful HVAC/R technicians. Students will also be prepared to pass the EPA Refrigerant Handling Certification.

• Location: Honolulu, HI
• Accreditation: Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC), Western Association of Schools and Colleges
• Expected Time to Completion: 24 months
• Estimated Tuition: Resident ($131 per credit); non-resident ($345 per credit)

It may come as no surprise that there is quite a demand for AC technicians in Houston, Texas. Houston Community College is well aware of its market and as such has created an AC technician school program that zeros in on those skills necessary for air conditioner maintenance and repair.

It offers two certificates and one associate of applied science degree in heating, air conditioning & refrigeration for aspiring HVAC workers. Students in these programs are introduced to emerging and new technologies in HVAC/R, which allows them to efficiently operate systems and buildings.

The basic certificate in HVAC/R comprises 21 credits. It introduces students to topics such as basic electricity for HVAC; electrical calculations; EPA recovery certification preparation; refrigeration principles; air conditioning control principles; gas & electric heating; and residential air conditioning.

The advanced certificate in HVAC/R consists of 42 credits and includes all the above courses, including commercial refrigeration; advanced air conditioning controls; commercial air conditioning; air conditioning troubleshooting; heat pumps; residential air conditioning systems design; and commercial air conditioning system design.

Finally, the AAS degree program comprises 60 credits covering all the coursework from the two certificates discussed above as well as building control systems; learning framework; and many other electives.

Students in all of these programs will be prepared for the section 608 EPA certification and will also have the opportunity to receive the OSHA 10 certification. They will gain proficiency in servicing, maintaining, repairing, and troubleshooting all types of HVAC equipment, and will also learn about regulations and safety rules surrounding the industry.

• Location: Houston, TX
• Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACSCOC)
• Expected Time to Completion: AAS (two years); certificates (one year each)
• Estimated Tuition: In-district ($84.50 per credit); out-of-district ($180.50 per credit); out-of-state ($227 per credit)

With the addition of Lanier Technical College (@LanierTech) in Oakwood, Georgia to this list, it becomes pretty clear that Georgia is a great place to find this type of training. At Lanier Technical College, students can choose to pursue a diploma in air conditioning technology, a certificate in basic residential air conditioning system design, or a certificate in basic residential gas heat design. All three tracks require classroom and on-site training and will prepare students to launch a career as an AC tech or apprentice immediately.

To get accepted into the program, applicants must be at least 16 years of age, have a high school diploma or GED before admission, official transcripts from all colleges attended, and Accuplacer Testing, or submit SAT, ACT, COMPASS, or ASSET test scores.

The diploma comprises 51 credits, while the certificate programs consist of 16 credits each. Some of the courses in the curriculum are HVAC/R electrical fundamentals; refrigeration fundamentals; HVAC/R electrical motors; gas heat; troubleshooting AC systems; heat pumps or related systems; and foundations of mathematics.

• Location: Gainesville, GA
• Accreditation: HVAC-Excellence; Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
• Expected Time to Completion: Diploma (four semesters); certificates (one semester each)
• Estimated Tuition: $100 per credit

Los Angeles Trade-Tech College, or LATTC (@LATTC), offers an associate of science degree in HVAC/R mechanics as well as a certificate of achievement for those that want to start working as quickly as possible. With both day and night classes, the program is ideal for those individuals who want to expand their career options while still working full time.

The certificate of achievement requires the successful completion of 48 credits, while the AAS degree program requires 42 credits of required courses, 6 credits of major electives, and 21 credits of general education courses.

As part of the program, students will delve into topics such as indoor air quality; refrigeration fundamentals; fundamentals of D.C. electricity; compression systems of refrigeration; applied calculations and measurements; pipe and tube joining processes; refrigeration electrical circuits and controls; and refrigeration system components, among others.

Upon completion, students can repair and maintain HVAC/R systems using the right tools and instruments safely and effectively. By applying the principles of electrical theory and thermodynamics, they will be able to properly analyze the operation of HVAC/R systems.

• Location: Los Angeles, CA
• Accreditation: Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC), Western Association of Schools and Colleges
• Expected Time to Completion: Four semesters
• Estimated Tuition: Resident ($46 per unit); out-of-state ($289 per unit)

At the Oak Creek Campus of Milwaukee Area Technical College, students can earn an Associate Degree in Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Technology. The program is intended to train students in the design, supervision, and sales aspect of the AC technician job. Incoming students must have at least one year of high school Algebra to be admitted to the program.

Comprising 64 credits, the program includes courses such as sustainability principles; introduction to the HVAC industry; air conditioning fundamentals; electrical fundamentals; architectural & mechanical fundamentals; heating systems; digital energy management systems; and heat pumps.

Graduates of the program will be able to install, service, troubleshoot, and evaluate HVAC/R systems. They can take up roles such as air conditioning technician, sales representative, refrigeration technician, system design technician, system supervisor, and system designer.

The college also offers a 30-credit technical diploma which ladders into the associate degree.

• Location: Milwaukee, WI
• Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC); HVAC Excellence
• Expected Time to Completion: Associate degree (two years)
• Estimated Tuition: Resident ($157.30 per credit); non-resident ($227.80 per credit)

The Pennsylvania College of Technology is one of the only schools on this list that exclusively offers a degree program encompassing heating, ventilation, air-conditioning, and refrigeration. However, the fact that this school also began the first student chapter of the Air Conditioning Contractors of America demonstrates the school's commitment to the air conditioning program and training opportunities therein.

Combining classroom instruction with hands-on training in a lab, this AAS degree program prepares students to tackle all types of HVAC projects. Consisting of 70 credits, the program includes courses in introduction to refrigeration; mechanical systems design and operation; HVAC/R electricity; air conditioning systems; residential HVAC system design; basic heating systems; advanced HVAC system service; and warm-air heating and duct design.

Graduates of the program will be prepared to take up roles such as HVAC/R equipment technician, sales representative, estimator, industrial physical plant maintenance, environmental control specialist, and air conditioning technician.

• Location: Williamsport, PA
• Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE); PAHRA
• Expected Time to Completion: Four semesters
• Estimated Tuition: In-state ($598 per credit); out-of-State ($856 per credit)

At the Texas State Technical College campus in Waco, Texas (@TSTCWaco) students can work towards a Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning Technician Certificate. Students that can commit to the certificate full-time can earn certification in just one year. Upon completing the certification requirements, students can apply their credits towards an Associate of Applied Science degree in Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Technology.

The certificate comprises 36 credits, while the AAS degree program comprises 60 credits. Sample some of the coursework: basic electricity for HVAC; refrigeration principles; HVAC shop practices and tools; gas and electric heating; residential air conditioning; commercial refrigeration; and heat pumps, among others.

The college also offers a 27-credit HVAC residential service technician certificate, a 48-credit HVAC technology certificate, and an occupational skills award in HVAC, which consists of nine credits. Graduates of these programs can pursue successful careers as HVAC technicians.

• Location: Waco, TX
• Accreditation: Southern Association for Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
• Expected Time to Completion: AAS (20 months); HVAC technician certificate (12 months); HVAC residential service technician certificate (eight months); HVAC technology certificate (16 months); skills award (four months)
• Estimated Tuition: AAS ($13,320); HVAC technician certificate ($7,992); HVAC residential service technician certificate ($5,994); HVAC technology certificate ($10,656) skills award ($1,998)