by our College Data Analytics TeamWhere would you be without centralized air conditioning or heating during the winter time? HVACR technicians serve an essential role in repairing and maintaining these systems. A major in Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration prepares students with the technical skills to install, service, and repair these systems.
This major includes hands-on work with heating, ventilation, air-conditioning, and refrigeration systems. You will also work with computers and learn regulations and laws associated with these systems. Some of the classes associated with this major are: principles of refrigeration, residential and commercial air conditioning and heating systems, and electricity fundamentals. This major is commonly taken as an associate's degree and can be received as a certificate.
Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration was the 192nd most popular major in the 2020-2021 school year. Colleges in the United States reported awarding 19,594 degrees in this year alone. This 277 less than the prior year, a decrease of 1.4%.
This year's Best Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration Schools ranking compares 103 of them to identify the best overall programs in the country. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of HVACR programs later in this article.
If you love DIY projects and fixing things around the house, this might be a great major for you. Students will work to solve problems and find creative solutions for repairs and installation complications. Teamwork is an essential part of this major; you will often work with others on group projects. The ability to accurately relay information to others and take feedback is necessary for success in your studies and career.
Most programs require an apprenticeship in order to gain work experience and to learn the fundamentals first hand. This is a great opportunity for learning and finding out what work in the field is like.
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 HVACR careers may require a certain level of degree attainment or additional certifications beyond that.
HVACR degree levels vary. You can spend many years getting as high as a in heating, air conditioning, ventilation and refrigeration to something that takes less time like a . The time it takes to complete a HVACR degree varies depending on the program.
| 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 HVACR, with approximately 12.7% of workers getting one. People currently working in careers related to HVACR tend obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Post-Secondary Certificate | 54.0% |
| Associate’s Degree (or other 2-year degree) | 14.2% |
| Some College Courses | 10.6% |
| High School Diploma | 9.9% |
| Less than a High School Diploma | 6.4% |
See the chart below for the most common degree level workers in heating, air conditioning, ventilation and refrigeration have received.
This of course varies depending on which HVACR career you choose.
Graduates with a degree in Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration can enter into a few different careers. You could become a home appliance repairmen and work installing and repairing household appliances. A possibly more lucrative career is to become a HVAC installation and repair professional. These professionals manage, install, and repair systems that regulate temperature. Other jobs graduates go into are engineering technicians or industrial machinery repairmen.
Want a job when you graduate with your HVACR degree? Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration careers are expected to grow 14.7% between 2016 and 2026.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to heating, air conditioning, ventilation and refrigeration.
| Occupation Name | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers | 381,700 | 14.7% |
Recently graduated heating, air conditioning, ventilation and refrigeration students earned an average of $33,038 in 2019-2020. Earnings can range from as low as $17,289 to as high as $67,613. As you might expect, salaries for HVACR graduates vary depending on the level of education that was acquired.
Salaries for heating, air conditioning, ventilation and refrigeration graduates can vary widely by the occupation you choose as well. The following table shows the top highest paying careers HVACR grads often go into.
| Occupation Name | Median Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers | $50,160 |
With over 1,099 different HVACR 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 HVACR school rankings to help you with this.
Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration is one of 7 different types of Mechanic & Repair Technologies programs to choose from.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Vehicle Maintenance & Repair | 56,539 |
| Heavy/Industrial Equipment Maintenance | 8,717 |
| Electronics Maintenance & Repair | 7,770 |
| Precision Systems Maintenance | 1,932 |
| Mechanic & Repair Tech (Other) | 1,267 |
