Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
Heating and cooling technician education requirements
Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
There are several educational requirements to become a heating and cooling technician. Heating and cooling technicians usually study environmental control technologies/technicians, heating and air conditioning, or business. 40% of heating and cooling technicians hold a high school diploma, and 21% hold an associate degree. We analyzed 399 real heating and cooling technician resumes to see exactly what heating and cooling technician education sections show.
The most common colleges for heating and cooling technicians are the Jackson College and the Jackson College.
There are also many online heating and cooling technician courses to help get the education required to be a heating and cooling technician.
There are certain heating and cooling technician certifications that you should consider. These heating and cooling technician certifications include EPA Amusement Operators Safety Certification (EPA) and Heating Professional.
What education do you need to become a heating and cooling technician?
What degree do you need to be a heating and cooling technician?
- High School Diploma, 40%
- Associate, 21%
- Diploma, 17%
- Bachelor's, 9%
- Other Degrees, 13%
What should I major in to become a heating and cooling technician?
- Business, 7%
- Other Majors, 44%
Most common colleges for heating and cooling technicians
| Heating and cooling technician common college | Percentages |
|---|---|
| Jackson College | 12.50% |
| Indiana University - Purdue University Indianapolis | 8.33% |
| Marist College | 8.33% |
| Western Washington University | 4.17% |
| Manhattan College | 4.17% |
Best majors for heating and cooling technicians
| Rank | Major | Percentages |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Environmental Control Technologies/Technicians | 25.5% |
| 2 | Heating And Air Conditioning | 17.3% |
| 3 | Business | 7.3% |
| 4 | Electrical Engineering | 7.3% |
| 5 | General Studies | 6.4% |
Best colleges for heating and cooling technicians
The best colleges for heating and cooling technicians are University of Tulsa, Rochester Institute of Technology, and Duke University.
A heating and cooling 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 heating and cooling 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 heating and cooling 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 heating and cooling technicians
Advertising disclosure
1. CVS Health Call Center Customer Service
The demand for call center customer service representatives is huge, there are thousands of open job roles in the US alone. If you are someone that enjoys talking to people and solving problems and are ready for new experiences, then this program is right for you. Customer service in a call center is an exciting career where every day is a new day and a new adventure. If you're considering a career in retail customer service and you're someone who is passionate about providing exceptional...
2. Data Center Essentials: Mechanical & Cooling
The mechanical cooling systems that support data centers and the internet...
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. HVAC (PART1) with HAPExcelAutoCADManual Calculations
A Practical Guide in the Heating Ventilation & Air Conditioning with Programs & Layouts (Including 4 Practical Projects)...
5. HVAC (PART2) with Revit MEP & Practical Projects
your Practical Guide in the Heating Ventilation & Air Conditioning with Programs & Layouts (A Complete Project Included)...
6. Advanced Process Control & Safety Instrumented Systems SIS
Learn how the main process equipment such as chemical reactors , pumps , compressors & heat exchangers are controlled...
7. Flow of fluids through piping systems , valves and pumps
Learn to size valves & piping systems, calculate pressure drop, flow of liquids & gases through pipe , fittings & valves...
8. HVAC Fundamentals and BMS Controls
Build your knowledge systematically, from the working principles of HVAC to optimizing a chiller plant operation...
9. HVAC Ductwork Quantity Take off for Quantity Surveyors
HVAC, Duct, Take off, Estimation, Quantity Surveying, Length, Area, Weight, SMACNA, POMI, AUTOCAD, Excel, Template, MEP...
10. Pump and Motor Basics, Selection and Optimization
Learn how to do selection for pump and motor from the working principles and fundamentals of fluid mechanics...
11. Electrical, Electronics and PCB Design Safety & Compliance
Learn the most important aspects and methods for designing safe electrical and electronics products and applications...
12. Rotating Equipment Masterclass: Pumps & Compressors
A compelete understanding of pumps & compressors used in process industries for a successful operation of your facility...
13. Fundamentals of Residential Property Management
Understand the foundation of residential property management as a property manager or landlord...
14. Refrigeration & Air conditioning - Design and calculation
Refrigeration and HVAC fundamentals, design and calculation for commercial and industrial application...
15. Control Systems Made Simple Beginner's Guide
Learn fundamentals of Mechanical & electrical system modeling, simulation and control with this unique practical course!...
16. Heat Exchangers: Design , Operation & Maintenance
A complete understanding of construction details , functionning and design of heat exchangers for successful operation...
17. Become an HVAC PRO_The Ultimate HVAC Guide
HVAC Designer Course from Scratch to Advance Level for Career Changer, Career Accelerator or Knowledge Refresher...
18. BMS - Building management system
BMS, building management system & building automation systems study , design and calculations...
19. PCB/Electronics: Thermal Management, Cooling and Derating
Master the most important concepts of cooling, thermal management and derating, with a focus on PCB development aspects...
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 heating and cooling technicians
The most affordable schools for heating and cooling technicians are New Mexico State University, eastern new mexico university, and inter american university of puerto rico bayamon.
If the best universities for heating and cooling 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 heating and cooling 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 heating and cooling technicians
The hardest universities for heating and cooling technicians to get into are University of Tulsa, Rochester Institute of Technology, and Duke University.
Some great schools for heating and cooling 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 heating and cooling 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 heating and cooling technicians
The easiest schools for heating and cooling 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 a heating and cooling 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 heating and cooling 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 heating and cooling technician salary by education level
| Heating and cooling technician education level | Heating and cooling technician salary |
|---|---|
| High School Diploma or Less | $42,694 |
| Bachelor's Degree | $46,376 |
| Some College/ Associate Degree | $46,056 |
Heating and cooling technician education FAQs
Have more questions? See all answers to common installation, maintenance and repair questions.
Search for heating and cooling technician jobs
Updated January 8, 2025
Updated January 8, 2025