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Hvac-r technician education requirements
Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
There are several educational requirements to become a hvac-r technician. Hvac-r technicians usually study heating and air conditioning, environmental control technologies/technicians, or electrical engineering technology. 34% of hvac-r technicians hold a associate degree, and 20% hold an diploma. We analyzed 2,332 real hvac-r technician resumes to see exactly what hvac-r technician education sections show.
The most common colleges for hvac-r technicians are the Ferris State University and the Ferris State University.
There are also many online hvac-r technician courses to help get the education required to be a hvac-r technician.
There are certain hvac-r technician certifications that you should consider. These hvac-r technician certifications include EPA Amusement Operators Safety Certification (EPA) and HVAC Master Specialist.
What education do you need to become a hvac-r technician?
What degree do you need to be a hvac-r technician?
- Associate, 34%
- Diploma, 20%
- High School Diploma, 17%
- Bachelor's, 10%
- Other Degrees, 19%
What should I major in to become a hvac-r technician?
- Business, 6%
- Other Majors, 32%
Most common colleges for hvac-r technicians
| Hvac-r technician common college | Percentages |
|---|---|
| Ferris State University | 9.38% |
| University of Phoenix | 9.38% |
| San Joaquin Valley College | 7.81% |
| Wentworth Institute of Technology | 7.81% |
| College of Southern Nevada | 7.81% |
Best majors for hvac-r technicians
| Rank | Major | Percentages |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Heating And Air Conditioning | 29.6% |
| 2 | Environmental Control Technologies/Technicians | 23.3% |
| 3 | Electrical Engineering Technology | 9.3% |
| 4 | Business | 6.3% |
| 5 | Electrical Engineering | 4.0% |
Best colleges for hvac-r technicians
The best colleges for hvac-r technicians are University of Tulsa, Rochester Institute of Technology, and Duke University.
A hvac-r 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 hvac-r 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 hvac-r 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 hvac-r technicians
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Top 10 most affordable universities for hvac-r technicians
The most affordable schools for hvac-r technicians are New Mexico State University, eastern new mexico university, and inter american university of puerto rico bayamon.
If the best universities for hvac-r 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 hvac-r 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 hvac-r technicians
The hardest universities for hvac-r technicians to get into are University of Tulsa, Rochester Institute of Technology, and Duke University.
Some great schools for hvac-r 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 hvac-r 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 hvac-r technicians
The easiest schools for hvac-r 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 hvac-r 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 hvac-r 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 hvac-r technician salary by education level
| Hvac-r technician education level | Hvac-r technician salary |
|---|---|
| High School Diploma or Less | $51,230 |
| Bachelor's Degree | $55,889 |
| Some College/ Associate Degree | $55,484 |
Hvac-r 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