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Ac technician education requirements
Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
There are several educational requirements to become an ac technician. Ac technicians usually study heating and air conditioning, environmental control technologies/technicians, or electrical engineering technology. 35% of ac technicians hold a high school diploma, and 18% hold an associate degree. We analyzed 1,880 real ac technician resumes to see exactly what ac technician education sections show.
The most common colleges for ac technicians are the Louisiana Tech University and the Louisiana Tech University.
There are also many online ac technician courses to help get the education required to be an ac technician.
There are certain ac technician certifications that you should consider. These ac technician certifications include EPA Amusement Operators Safety Certification (EPA) and Air Conditioning Service Certification.
What education do you need to become an ac technician?
What degree do you need to be an ac technician?
- High School Diploma, 35%
- Associate, 18%
- Diploma, 18%
- Bachelor's, 12%
- Other Degrees, 17%
What should I major in to become an ac technician?
- Other Majors, 45%
Most common colleges for ac technicians
| Ac technician common college | Percentages |
|---|---|
| Louisiana Tech University | 8.00% |
| Austin Community College | 8.00% |
| University of Houston | 8.00% |
| Miami Dade College | 6.00% |
| South Texas College | 6.00% |
Best majors for ac technicians
| Rank | Major | Percentages |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Heating And Air Conditioning | 23.2% |
| 2 | Environmental Control Technologies/Technicians | 16.4% |
| 3 | Electrical Engineering Technology | 8.4% |
| 4 | Automotive Technology | 8.1% |
| 5 | Business | 6.5% |
Best colleges for ac technicians
The best colleges for ac technicians are University of Tulsa, Rochester Institute of Technology, and Duke University.
An ac technician with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for ac technicians. We based this list on several metrics: admissions rate, retention rate, mean earnings of graduates, the ratio of working vs. non-working students ten years after admission, the average cost of attendance, and median debt for graduates who become ac technicians.
1. Dunwoody College of Technology
Minneapolis, MN • Private
In-state tuition
$22,046
Enrollment
1,294
2. SUNY College of Technology at Alfred
Alfred, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$8,570
Enrollment
3,721
3. Northern Michigan University
Marquette, MI • Private
In-state tuition
$10,729
Enrollment
6,722
4. New Mexico State University
Las Cruces, NM • Private
In-state tuition
$6,686
Enrollment
11,139
5. Eastern New Mexico University
Portales, NM • Private
In-state tuition
$6,326
Enrollment
3,347
6. Duke University
Durham, NC • Private
In-state tuition
$55,695
Enrollment
6,596
7. University of Alaska Anchorage
Anchorage, AK • Private
In-state tuition
$8,580
Enrollment
10,482
8. SUNY College of Technology at Canton
Canton, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$8,389
Enrollment
3,127
9. Bucknell University
Lewisburg, PA • Private
In-state tuition
$56,092
Enrollment
3,583
10. Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Troy, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$53,880
Enrollment
6,590
20 best online courses for ac technicians
Advertising disclosure
1. Linear Circuits 2: AC Analysis
This course explains how to analyze circuits that have alternating current (AC) voltage or current sources. Circuits with resistors, capacitors, and inductors are covered, both analytically and experimentally. Some practical applications in sensors are demonstrated...
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3. HVAC Psychrometry, Air Handling System and Duct Selection
Build your knowledge systematically, from building cooling load estimation, to sizing and selection of AHU and ductings...
4. Air Insulated Electrical Substation Design
This course will give you a great appreciation of Air Insulated Substations and how all of the equipments fit together...
5. Introduction to Indoor Air Quality
Course Overview: https://youtu.be/LLVb4FOn4uU This course provides a basic knowledge of an emerging area – Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) in buildings. Learners will realize the importance of maintaining proper IAQ. Characteristics associated with indoor air contaminants (IAC) are demonstrated, such as • Particulate matters (PM2.5, PM10) • Radon • Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) • Asbestos • Bio-aerosols, and more Safe exposure levels, resulting health effects, measurement techniques, mitigate and...
6. Rotating Equipment Masterclass: Pumps & Compressors
A compelete understanding of pumps & compressors used in process industries for a successful operation of your facility...
7. Refrigeration & Air conditioning - Design and calculation
Refrigeration and HVAC fundamentals, design and calculation for commercial and industrial application...
8. Advanced AC Drive- VFD, Servo & Stepper - Powerflex & Delta
Learn programming and PLC Interfacing of Allen Bradley & Delta AC Drives - VFD and Servo by LIVE Examples...
9. Fundamentals of Electrical Controls
Learn the parts and wiring techniques used in a motor control installation, become a Controls Electrician...
10. Data Center Essentials: Power & Electrical
The power & electrical systems that support data centers and the internet...
11. PLC & AC Drive with Automatic & Manual Industrial Control
this course will take newbies to a higher level to deal with complex PLC projects, Motor Drives ( VFD ) & Manual Control...
12. Customer Service & Support For Customer Service Executives
Learn Customer Service Skills & Provide Excellent Customer Support, Customer Experience & How To Manage Upset Customers...
13. HVAC Fundamentals and BMS Controls
Build your knowledge systematically, from the working principles of HVAC to optimizing a chiller plant operation...
14. HVAC (PART2) with Revit MEP & Practical Projects
your Practical Guide in the Heating Ventilation & Air Conditioning with Programs & Layouts (A Complete Project Included)...
15. Customer Service, Customer Support, And Customer Experience
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16. Data Center Essentials: Mechanical & Cooling
The mechanical cooling systems that support data centers and the internet...
17. Customer Service Foundation
An introductory course about understanding the foundations of Customer Service...
18. Customer Service
How to Approach New Customers and Maintain Existing Ones...
19. HVAC (PART1) with HAPExcelAutoCADManual Calculations
A Practical Guide in the Heating Ventilation & Air Conditioning with Programs & Layouts (Including 4 Practical Projects)...
20. Electrical Control & Protection Systems
This course introduces electrical control & protection systems which are a critical part of any electrical substation...
Top 10 most affordable universities for ac technicians
The most affordable schools for ac technicians are New Mexico State University, eastern new mexico university, and inter american university of puerto rico bayamon.
If the best universities for ac technicians are out of your price range, check out these affordable schools. After factoring in in-state tuition and fees, the average cost of attendance, admissions rate, average net price, and mean earnings after six years, we found that these are the most affordable schools for ac technicians.
1. New Mexico State University
Las Cruces, NM • Private
In-state tuition
$6,686
Cost of attendance
17,885
2. Eastern New Mexico University
Portales, NM • Private
In-state tuition
$6,326
Cost of attendance
17,330
3. Inter American University of Puerto Rico Bayamon
Bayamon, PR • Private
In-state tuition
$5,940
Cost of attendance
13,508
4. University of Alaska Anchorage
Anchorage, AK • Private
In-state tuition
$8,580
Cost of attendance
19,942
5. Inter American University of Puerto Rico Guayama
Guayama, PR • Private
In-state tuition
$5,902
Cost of attendance
13,893
6. Inter American University of Puerto Rico San German
San German, PR • Private
In-state tuition
$5,940
Cost of attendance
14,322
7. SUNY College of Technology at Alfred
Alfred, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$8,570
Cost of attendance
23,713
8. New York City College of Technology of the City University of New York
Brooklyn, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,120
Cost of attendance
13,997
9. University of New Mexico
Albuquerque, NM • Private
In-state tuition
$7,633
Cost of attendance
19,235
10. SUNY College of Technology at Canton
Canton, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$8,389
Cost of attendance
22,302
Top 10 hardest universities to get into for ac technicians
The hardest universities for ac technicians to get into are University of Tulsa, Rochester Institute of Technology, and Duke University.
Some great schools for ac technicians are hard to get into, but they also set your career up for greater success. The list below shows the most challenging universities to get into for ac technicians based on an institution's admissions rates, average SAT scores accepted, median ACT scores accepted, and mean earnings of students six years after admission.
1. University of Tulsa
Tulsa, OK • Private
Admissions rate
41%
SAT average
1,321
2. Rochester Institute of Technology
Rochester, NY • Private
Admissions rate
66%
SAT average
1,319
3. Duke University
Durham, NC • Private
Admissions rate
9%
SAT average
1,516
4. Saint Joseph's University
Philadelphia, PA • Private
Admissions rate
76%
SAT average
1,214
5. Santa Clara University
Santa Clara, CA • Private
Admissions rate
50%
SAT average
1,366
6. Bucknell University
Lewisburg, PA • Private
Admissions rate
33%
SAT average
1,353
7. Creighton University
Omaha, NE • Private
Admissions rate
71%
SAT average
1,276
8. SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry
Syracuse, NY • Private
Admissions rate
61%
SAT average
1,227
9. Pennsylvania State University
University Park, PA • Private
Admissions rate
56%
SAT average
1,269
10. North Carolina State University
Raleigh, NC • Private
Admissions rate
47%
SAT average
1,336
Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for ac technicians
The easiest schools for ac technicians to get into are SUNY College of Technology at Canton, suny college of technology at alfred, and saint joseph's university.
Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as an ac technician without much hassle, check out the list of schools where you will be accepted in no time. We compiled admissions rates, average SAT scores, average ACT scores, and average salary of students six years after graduation to uncover which were the easiest schools to get into for ac technicians.
1. SUNY College of Technology at Canton
Canton, NY • Private
Admissions rate
78%
SAT average
997
2. SUNY College of Technology at Alfred
Alfred, NY • Private
Admissions rate
63%
SAT average
1,071
3. Saint Joseph's University
Philadelphia, PA • Private
Admissions rate
76%
SAT average
1,214
4. Grand Valley State University
Allendale, MI • Private
Admissions rate
83%
SAT average
1,158
5. Fitchburg State University
Fitchburg, MA • Private
Admissions rate
87%
SAT average
1,078
6. Ferris State University
Big Rapids, MI • Private
Admissions rate
81%
SAT average
1,070
7. Kent State University
Kent, OH • Private
Admissions rate
85%
SAT average
1,131
8. SUNY College of Technology at Delhi
Delhi, NY • Private
Admissions rate
64%
SAT average
1,011
9. Northern Michigan University
Marquette, MI • Private
Admissions rate
66%
SAT average
1,091
10. University of New Mexico
Albuquerque, NM • Private
Admissions rate
70%
SAT average
1,120
Average ac technician salary by education level
| Ac technician education level | Ac technician salary |
|---|---|
| High School Diploma or Less | $47,970 |
| Bachelor's Degree | $52,223 |
| Some College/ Associate Degree | $51,854 |
Ac technician education FAQs
Have more questions? See all answers to common installation, maintenance and repair questions.
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Updated January 8, 2025
Updated January 8, 2025