Which are the best HVAC schools?
Heating, Ventilation & Air Conditioning (HVAC) is one of the highly demanded jobs in the world this century. This is because more people now rely on heating and cooling unit both for domestic needs and businesses.
For this reason, Having an HVAC certificate is the hot cake because people will always be a demand for qualified HVAC technicians who understands the in-depth concept of complicated machinery and can make it better again.
But where does one go to receive that education? There are several possibilities, but the most efficient is to enrol in an HVAC program offered by institutions all around the world.
This ranking includes some of the best HVAC programs in the country. We haven’t rated the list because there isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution. Some of the programs listed here merely offer certifications, while others offer two-year associate’s degrees and two four-year bachelor’s degrees.
Here are 10 of the best HVAC schools;
#10. University of North Dakota (Grand Forks, ND)
The University of North Dakota’s entirely online HVAC program offers students to receive their NATE or HVAC Excellence certification in less than a year. Students can begin the program at any time without having to wait for the typical semester to start because it is entirely conducted through course videos and asynchronous classes.
Even better, students can take the classes on their own time, which means they won’t have to miss work.
Mike Baker, the course instructor, has over ten years of experience teaching the subject. Baker worked as an HVAC mechanic for decades before becoming an educator, gaining numerous certifications including HVAC Excellence, Green Mechanical Council, and others.
Students learn the fundamentals of the craft under Baker’s guidance. Electrical motors, all-weather systems, and other HVAC basics are covered in these classes.
#9. Penn Foster College (Scottsdale, AZ)
Penn Foster College’s online HVAC program allows professionals to complete their credentials on their own schedule. Students can earn their EPA certification in just five months, allowing them to apply for more employment.
Students develop their skills throughout the course of eight classes of the program. From the principles of HVACR to business registration systems, these seminars cover it all.
The HVACR curriculum uses cutting-edge distant learning tools to deliver simple, easy-to-understand content. The lectures integrate fundamental principles with practical education, allowing students to put what they’ve learned into practice right away.
Penn Foster gives students a voucher to take their certification test at the end of the program, as well as a guide to assist them to succeed.
Penn Foster certification prepares students for careers as HVAC technicians, refrigeration mechanics, and other related fields.
#8. Ashworth College (Norcross, GA)
Students who complete Ashworth College’s career diploma program in heating and air conditioning receive a voucher for their EPA Section 608 Certification, a digital textbook teaching the principles of HVAC/R, and online access to all of the program’s modules.
They also depart with links to a community of students and graduates, which can lead to a lifetime of networking and educational possibilities.
The HVAC diploma track at Ashworth puts the student first as an online curriculum. According to their timetable, Ashworth allows students to continue their education while working full-time by offering self-paced programs.
Even better, Ashworth offers this training at a very reasonable cost. The total cost of the program is $629, which can be paid in one lump sum or in monthly instalments of $55 each. Ashworth also provides financial assistance to those in need.
#7. Ferris State University (Big Rapids, MI)
Ferris State University’s HVAC School is regarded as one of the best in the country due to its fully accredited status and extensive resources.
Whereas the majority of the colleges on this list focus on working professional certificates, Ferris State provides a comprehensive selection of options.
The associate’s degree program at the institution is industry-focused, giving students the skills they need to get started in the area right away. The associate’s degree, which combines classroom instruction and laboratory practice, provides students with all they need to become HVAC specialists, regardless of past experience.
Ferris State is also one of only two colleges in the country that offers an HVAC bachelor’s degree. An HVAC BA is a full-featured liberal arts degree that equips students with not only all they need to become heating and conditioning experts, but also a well-rounded education. As a result, students with a degree in HVAC are in high demand in a variety of technical fields.
#6. Excelsior College (Albany, NY)
A work-ready certificate is required if you want to be successful as an HVAC specialist. Employers will see this certificate as proof that you have the technical knowledge and abilities needed to install and repair complex machinery.
The HVAC/R Technician curriculum at Excelsior College focuses on a work-ready certificate. Students will receive all they need to achieve the certificate, including a state testing waiver. After earning certification, trainees can work as master technicians under the supervision of a licensed expert.
Excelsior’s HVAC/R curriculum is fully online and taught by an instructor with decades of hands-on experience installing and repairing systems, allowing students to acquire the training they need as soon as feasible. Students learn about safety procedures, machine requirements, and other topics.
Excelsior College is a wonderful choice for HVAC professionals across the country because of its outstanding assistance and well-defined course plans.
#5. Northern Michigan University (Marquette, MI)
Every HVACR expert must grasp the technical functioning of the equipment in order to be effective. Northern Michigan University students have two options for obtaining that training.
The HVACR technology certificate program at the school takes two years to complete. Students study with qualified specialists while gaining the 44 credits required for certification. They learn how to construct comfortable and energy-efficient settings for a wide range of sectors.
NMU provides a two-year associate’s degree in applied science for students seeking more advanced study. All of the specialist courses from the certification track, as well as liberal arts electives, are included in this difficult route.
Students who choose this path obtain a higher level of education, allowing them to not only enter the field but also get a bachelor’s degree while working as an HVACR technician.
#4. Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology (Okmulgee, Oklahoma)
The air conditioning and refrigeration degree at Oklahoma State University’s Institute of Technology provide students with all they need to succeed as professionals. OSU’s program, which is taught by licensed technicians with decades of experience, equips students with first-rate knowledge of how to install, maintain, and repair even the most complex heating and cooling systems.
OSU, on the other hand, does not limit its teaching to the classroom. Rather, every student must participate in an internship program. Each student is placed in a relationship with a working expert, allowing them to receive hands-on experience with the equipment.
Additionally, OSU permits students to obtain credit for earlier learning, encouraging them to contribute their knowledge. OSU provides a vibrant learning community in which collaboration and cooperation lead to achievement by bringing out the best in their students.
#3. Benjamin Franklin Institute of Technology (Boston, MA)
Students interested in becoming HVACR technicians are aware that they will require specialized training. They, on the other hand, do not want to waste time in classrooms when there is work to be done.
Because of this, the Benjamin Franklin Institute of Technology gets immediately to work. Their certificate curriculum covers 800 hours in eight months, providing students with everything they need to get started in the profession. Students can arrange a schedule that best suits their needs with a variety of evening and day class alternatives.
Even better, the Institute understands how costly college may be. With their unique MentorWorks project, they assist their pupils. This option allows students to defer tuition payments until they begin to earn money in their careers.
#2. UC Berkeley Extension (Berkeley, CA)
UC Berkeley has long been regarded as one of the greatest universities in the country. It’s no wonder, then, that its continuing education program is as impressive.
The HVAC certificate program focuses on the foundations with a curriculum of carefully crafted lessons. Students receive all of the technical and scientific information they’ll need to install, repair, and even design HVAC systems as part of the program.
This preparation includes achievement certification from the Golden Gate Chapter of the American Society for Heating, Refrigeration, and Air-Conditioning Engineers, the industry’s most prominent professional body (ASHRAE).
There are a variety of ways to assess the program’s success, but none are more effective than testimonials from its graduates. Gordon Ludwick, an HVAC certificate graduate, was able to move on from his employment as a stationary engineer to a more fulfilling career as an HVAC technician. Ludwick was able to transition into his new role without sacrificing time or money at his day job, thanks to the school’s rigorous program and student-friendly scheduling alternatives.
#1. University of Northern Ohio (Lima, OH)
The University of Northern Ohio, located in the heart of the Rust Belt, is an excellent place to pursue a degree in HVAC/R technologies. For students looking to broaden their horizons, UNO provides two distinct paths to choose from, allowing them to meet their schedules.
The two-year associate’s degree provides students with the necessary certification to work as an HVACR technician, while the four-year bachelor’s degree provides a comprehensive liberal arts education.
Students will exit the program with hands-on knowledge of HVAC/R and a grasp of the laws that govern the sector, regardless of the route they pick. Students are prepared to use their knowledge in the field and become immediately employable experts.
With sessions limited to 20 students and a focus on hands-on instruction, UNO ensures student success. Students spend 70% of their time working on HVAC/R systems under the supervision of experienced specialists.
Conclusion
While some of these schools focus on green energy and sustainability, while others focus on leadership development, they all have one thing in common: they excel at training future HVAC mechanics. One of these HVAC programs will get you where you want to go, whether you want to work in installation or design.
To find the finest HVAC programs, we looked at the reputation of each program across the country, followed by graduation rates, retention rates, affordability, and graduates’ early wages.
Our final list includes the best HVAC programs in the United States, based on our extensive research. Our data comes from the websites of universities and schools, PayScale, and the globally respected U.S. News & World Report and The National Center for Education Statistics.
FAQs
Despite the fact that most HVAC certifications and degrees provide similar core training, each has its unique emphasis and specializations. Some schools place a strong emphasis on both theory and application. Others emphasize the necessity of getting inside the lab and learning by doing.
Let’s imagine you only want to get an HVAC certificate before committing to a full associate degree program. Then you should expect to earn at least $45k per year on average. Maybe you’re ready to take a few more classes to finish your AS degree. You can expect a significant wage increase: people with an AS in HVAC earn an average of $52,000 per year. With time, the chance of earning upwards of 76k per year grows.
Acceptance into any of these HVAC programs is practically guaranteed. You only have to prove you’re passionate about HVAC training!
If you want to get an associate’s degree, you’ll have to take a lot of specialized coursework. Thermodynamics, sustainable energy, brazing and piping, and other topics may be included. As a general rule, associate degrees take two years to finish, whereas certifications take six to twelve months to accomplish.
Yes, You can get an HVAC degree online. This online HVAC training program was built for providing a flexible, convenient learning experience to busy students who do not have the time to commit to an on-campus program.
The short answer is, yes and yes. But there’s a lot more to it than that. Data shows that graduates of HVAC trade school programs generally earn more and have better career prospects.
Using current diagnostic technology, correct tools, and modern shop equipment, you learn what today’s HVAC technicians are doing, not how it was “in the old days.” You can learn more in a few months of four-day-a-week courses than you could in several years of riding along in an HVAC service truck
Yes! HVAC technicians need math to calculate the correct load requirements to ensure equipment properly heats or cools.
Working in HVAC can be challenging and rewarding! HVAC could be a nice option for those who don’t like to be in the same place day after day, as your work may find you at different locations troubleshooting different problems or installing different equipment.
