What Are the Best HVAC Schools in Alabama?
- Gadsden State Community College (Anniston) offers Air Conditioning and Refrigeration A.A.S. and Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Certificate.
- George C Wallace Community College-Dothan (Dothan) offers Air Conditioning/Refrigeration A.A.S. and Air Conditioning/Refrigeration Certificate.
- Bevill State Community College (Hamilton) offers Air Conditioning & Refrigeration AAS and Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Long-Term Certificate.
- Tuition and fees run from $4,272 to $16,411 a year (2024–25).
- 9 of 19 Alabama programs name EPA 608 preparation or testing.
- Alabama HVAC technicians earn a median $48,370 a year (BLS, May 2025).
Gadsden State Community College Leads the Alabama HVAC School Rankings
Tuition is the 2024–25 full-time rate (in-district where published) and graduation rate is school-wide (NCES College Navigator). HVAC awards are credentials conferred in HVAC. Blank cells mean no federal figure for that school.
How We Ranked Alabama HVAC Schools
Each Alabama school with a verified, current HVAC program and federal figures gets a percentile score among its in-state peers: program size (35%, HVAC awards conferred), cost (25%, lowest tuition and fees), completion (25%, school-wide graduation rate) and credential ladder (15%, both certificates and associate degrees awarded). Federal data can't measure instructors or lab equipment, so visit the lab before you enroll.
Best HVAC Schools in Alabama by Goal
HVAC Programs in Alabama Near Mobile, Deatsville and Dothan
Lab days are easier to keep up with at a campus you can reach, so start with the city you can commute from. Each program is grouped with the nearest city guide within 45 miles.
- MobileBishop State Community College, Fortis College and Remington College-Mobile Campus
- DeatsvilleGeorge C Wallace State Community College-Selma and J F Ingram State Technical College
- DothanFortis College-Dothan and George C Wallace Community College-Dothan
- HancevilleBevill State Community College and George C Wallace State Community College-Hanceville
- MontgomeryFortis College-Montgomery and H Councill Trenholm State Community College
- BessemerLawson State Community College
- BirminghamFortis Institute-Birmingham
- GadsdenGadsden State Community College
HVAC Schools in Alabama, School by School
1Gadsden State Community College
Offers an associate degree and 2 certificates in HVAC
- Tuition / year
- $4,272 in-state, 2024–25
- HVAC awards
- 48 conferred 2024–25
Covers Refrigeration · Electrical · Heating · Air conditioning · Heat pumps · Ductwork
2George C Wallace Community College-Dothan
Offers an associate degree and 3 certificates in HVAC
- Tuition / year
- $4,980 in-state, 2024–25
- HVAC awards
- 55 conferred 2024–25
Covers EPA 608 · Refrigeration · Electrical · Heating · Air conditioning · Heat pumps
3Bevill State Community College
Offers an associate degree and 2 certificates in HVAC
- Tuition / year
- $4,734 in-state, 2024–25
- HVAC awards
- 22 conferred 2024–25
Covers Refrigeration · Electrical · Heating · Air conditioning · Heat pumps · Commercial
4Northwest Shoals Community College
Offers an associate degree and 5 certificates in HVAC
- Tuition / year
- $5,131 in-state, 2024–25
- HVAC awards
- 78 conferred 2024–25
Covers Refrigeration · Electrical · Heating · Air conditioning · Heat pumps · Commercial
5Southern Union State Community College
Offers an associate degree in HVAC
- Tuition / year
- $5,040 in-state, 2024–25
- HVAC awards
- 66 conferred 2024–25
Covers Refrigeration · Electrical · Heating · Heat pumps · Commercial
6Fortis College-Montgomery
Offers a diploma in HVAC
- HVAC awards offered
- 1 certificates and degrees
- HVAC awards
- 72 conferred 2024–25
Covers EPA 608 · Refrigeration · Electrical · Heating · Air conditioning · Heat pumps
7J F Ingram State Technical College
Offers 5 certificates in HVAC
- HVAC awards offered
- 5 certificates and degrees
- HVAC awards
- 352 conferred 2024–25
Covers EPA 608 · Refrigeration · Electrical · Heating · Air conditioning · Heat pumps
8H Councill Trenholm State Community College
Offers an associate degree and 5 certificates in HVAC
- Tuition / year
- $5,190 in-state, 2024–25
- HVAC awards
- 49 conferred 2024–25
Covers Refrigeration · Electrical · Heating · Air conditioning · Heat pumps
9George C Wallace State Community College-Hanceville
Offers an associate degree and 4 certificates in HVAC
- Tuition / year
- $5,220 in-state, 2024–25
- HVAC awards
- 40 conferred 2024–25
Covers EPA 608 · Refrigeration · Electrical · Heating · Air conditioning · Heat pumps
10Shelton State Community College
Offers an associate degree and a certificate in HVAC
- Tuition / year
- $5,127 in-state, 2024–25
- HVAC awards
- 17 conferred 2024–25
Covers Refrigeration · Heating · Air conditioning · Heat pumps
11George C Wallace State Community College-Selma
Offers a certificate in HVAC
- Tuition / year
- $4,740 in-state, 2024–25
- HVAC awards offered
- 1 certificates and degrees
Covers Refrigeration · Electrical · Heating
12Fortis Institute-Birmingham
Offers a diploma in HVAC
- Tuition / year
- $15,335 all students, 2024–25
- HVAC awards
- 63 conferred 2024–25
Covers EPA 608 · Refrigeration · Electrical · Heating · Air conditioning · Heat pumps
13Lawson State Community College
Offers an associate degree and 2 certificates in HVAC
- Tuition / year
- $5,040 in-state, 2024–25
- HVAC awards
- 42 conferred 2024–25
Covers Refrigeration · Air conditioning · Commercial
14Fortis College in Mobile, AL
Offers a diploma in HVAC
- HVAC awards offered
- 1 certificates and degrees
- HVAC awards
- 29 conferred 2024–25
Covers EPA 608 · Refrigeration · Electrical · Heating · Air conditioning · Heat pumps
15Fortis College-Dothan
Offers a diploma in HVAC
- HVAC awards offered
- 1 certificates and degrees
- HVAC awards
- 29 conferred 2024–25
Covers EPA 608 · Refrigeration · Electrical · Heating · Air conditioning · Heat pumps
16Bishop State Community College
Offers 2 associate degrees and a certificate in HVAC
- Tuition / year
- $5,340 in-state, 2024–25
- HVAC awards
- 4 conferred 2024–25
Covers EPA 608 · Refrigeration · Electrical · Heating · Air conditioning · Heat pumps
17J. F. Drake State Community and Technical College
Offers an associate degree and 2 certificates in HVAC
- Tuition / year
- $5,190 in-state, 2024–25
- HVAC awards
- 2 conferred 2024–25
Covers Refrigeration · Electrical · Heating · Air conditioning · Heat pumps · Commercial
18Remington College-Mobile Campus
Offers an associate degree and 2 diplomas in HVAC
- Tuition / year
- $16,411 all students, 2024–25
- HVAC awards
- 16 conferred 2024–25
Covers EPA 608 · Refrigeration · Electrical · Heating · Air conditioning · Controls
Northeast Alabama Community College
Offers an associate degree and 2 certificates in HVAC
- Tuition / year
- $5,040 in-state, 2024–25
- HVAC awards offered
- 3 certificates and degrees
Covers Refrigeration · Electrical · Heating · Heat pumps
Tuition and HVAC awards: NCES College Navigator. Programs and topics: each school's own HVAC page, reviewed September 2026.
What HVAC School Costs in Alabama: $4,272 to $16,411 a Year
Among the 15 Alabama HVAC schools with federal figures, 2024–25 tuition and fees for a full-time year range from $4,272 at Gadsden State Community College to $16,411 at Remington College-Mobile Campus.
| School | City | Tuition and fees, 2024–25 |
|---|---|---|
| Gadsden State Community College | Anniston | $4,272 (in-state) |
| Bevill State Community College | Hamilton | $4,734 (in-state) |
| George C Wallace State Community College-Selma | Demopolis | $4,740 (in-state) |
| George C Wallace Community College-Dothan | Dothan | $4,980 (in-state) |
| Lawson State Community College | Bessemer | $5,040 (in-state) |
| Northeast Alabama Community College | Rainsville | $5,040 (in-state) |
The six lowest rates. Source: NCES College Navigator.
Evening HVAC Classes in Alabama: 6 Programs
Schedules as each school publishes them. Ask about start dates and evening sections before you apply.
- Fortis College in Mobile, ALStudents can choose a morning section (8:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.) or an evening section (5:30-10:30 p.m.), Monday through Thursday.
- Fortis College-DothanStudents can choose a morning section (8:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.) or an evening section (5:30-10:30 p.m.), Monday through Thursday.
- Fortis College-MontgomeryStudents can choose a morning section (9:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.) or an evening section (6:00-11:00 p.m.), Monday through Thursday; courses meet 10 hours a week for 6 weeks.
- Fortis Institute-BirminghamStudents can choose a morning section (8:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.) or an evening section (6:00-11:00 p.m.), Monday through Thursday.
- George C Wallace State Community College-HancevilleDay and evening classes are available, and students can start part-time internship work with partner companies after completing the first half of the program.
- Shelton State Community CollegeCourses run year round in both day and evening sections for full- and part-time students.
HVAC Technician Salary in Alabama: The Huntsville Area Pays the Most
| Metro area | Median pay | Top 10% earn more than | HVAC jobs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Huntsville | $49,940 | $73,030 | 770 |
| Gadsden | $49,300 | $71,100 | 120 |
| Decatur | $48,750 | $75,650 | 330 |
| Birmingham | $48,740 | $69,830 | 2,370 |
| Montgomery | $48,680 | $65,960 | 540 |
| Tuscaloosa | $48,430 | $61,780 | 450 |
| Auburn–Opelika | $48,170 | $64,310 | 260 |
| Mobile | $47,960 | $70,720 | 820 |
| Anniston–Oxford | $47,780 | $64,920 | 130 |
| Daphne–Fairhope–Foley | $46,870 | $61,580 | 540 |
Annual wages for HVAC mechanics and installers in Alabama (8,260 jobs); U.S. median $61,010. Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025.
HVAC Schools by City in Alabama
HVAC Schools in Nearby States
HVAC Schools in Alabama: FAQ
How Much Does HVAC School Cost in Alabama?
Full-time tuition and fees for 2024–25 at the Alabama schools on this page run from $4,272 to $16,411 a year, before tools and books. Community colleges publish their in-district rate.
How Much Do HVAC Technicians Make in Alabama?
BLS estimates a median of $48,370 a year for HVAC mechanics and installers in Alabama (May 2025), across 8,260 jobs. The lowest-paid 10% earn under $36,510 and the top 10% more than $65,690.
What Is the Best HVAC School in Alabama?
On federal data for program size, cost and completion, Gadsden State Community College ranks first among Alabama schools with verified HVAC programs, followed by George C Wallace Community College-Dothan. The best fit depends on the credential you want and the campus you can reach.
How Many HVAC Schools Are in Alabama?
19 schools have a current HVAC program in Alabama, each checked against the school's own program page, and 13 offer an associate degree. IPEDS counts 10 Alabama schools that awarded HVAC credentials in 2022–23.
What Is the Most Affordable HVAC School in Alabama?
Gadsden State Community College had the lowest 2024–25 tuition and fees among Alabama HVAC schools with federal figures: $4,272 for a full-time year (in-state). Bevill State Community College ($4,734) and George C Wallace State Community College-Selma ($4,740) follow.
Are There Evening HVAC Classes in Alabama?
Yes. 6 HVAC programs in Alabama publish evening classes, including Fortis College, Fortis College-Dothan and Fortis College-Montgomery.
Where Can You Get EPA 608 Certified in Alabama?
Bishop State Community College, Fortis College and Fortis College-Dothan and 6 other Alabama schools name EPA 608 preparation or testing on their HVAC program pages. The certification itself comes from an EPA-approved certifying organization.
Do I Need a License to Work in HVAC?
EPA Section 608 certification is required nationwide for refrigerant work. Some states and localities also require HVAC technicians to be licensed, so check with Alabama and your city.
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More on HVAC Training in Alabama
Sources
- Official HVAC program pages of the 19 Alabama schools above (each profile links to its page), reviewed September 2026.
- U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS completions 2022–23 and College Navigator.
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025.
- U.S. EPA, Section 608 technician certification.