by our College Data Analytics TeamHeating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Engineering Technology was the 544th most popular major in the 2020-2021 school year. Colleges in the United States reported awarding 7,017 degrees in this year alone. This represents a 11.1% increase in HVAC degrees awarded over the prior year's total of 6,236.
This year's Best Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Engineering Technology Schools ranking compares 20 of them to identify the best overall programs in the country. Explore this or one of our many other custom HVAC rankings further below.
A major in HVAC prepares you for careers in which determining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it is crucial. Required skills include using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems and performing routine maintenance on equipment and determining when and what kind of maintenance is needed.
New students will need to have completed high school or a GED program and each school will have their own minimum GPA and SAT/ACT test requirements. Specific HVAC careers may require a certain level of degree attainment or additional certifications beyond that.
There are various different levels of HVAC degrees. Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Engineering Technology programs offered by schools range from a to a , which is the highest HVAC degree you can get. Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Engineering Technology programs can take anywhere between one to four or more years for a full-time student to complete.
| Degree | Credit Requirements | Typical Program Length |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree | 60-70 credits | 2 years |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 120 credits | 4 years |
| Master’s Degree | 50-70 credits | 1-3 years |
| Doctorate | Program required coursework including thesis or dissertation | At least 4 years |
An associate degree is the most common level of education achieved by those in careers related to HVAC, with approximately 21.8% of workers getting one. See the the most common levels of education for HVAC workers below.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Post-Secondary Certificate | 41.2% |
| Associate’s Degree (or other 2-year degree) | 23.8% |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 17.0% |
| Some College Courses | 8.7% |
| High School Diploma | 5.9% |
The chart below shows what degree level those who work in heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration engineering technology/technician have obtained.
The education level required is different depending on the HVAC career you are seeking.
Want a job when you graduate with your HVAC degree? Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Engineering Technology careers are expected to grow 12.9% between 2016 and 2026.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration engineering technology/technician.
| Occupation Name | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers | 381,700 | 14.7% |
| Engineering Technicians | 80,800 | 5.2% |
As you might expect, salaries for HVAC graduates vary depending on the level of education that was acquired.
Salaries for heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration engineering technology/technician graduates can vary widely by the occupation you choose as well. The following table shows the top highest paying careers HVAC grads often go into.
| Occupation Name | Median Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Engineering Technicians | $65,720 |
| Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers | $50,160 |
With over 293 different HVAC degree programs to choose from, finding the best fit for you can be a challenge. Fortunately you have come to the right place. We have analyzed all of these schools to come up with hundreds of unbiased HVAC school rankings to help you with this.
One of 4 majors within the Environmental Control Technology area of study, Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Engineering Technology has other similar majors worth exploring.
