What Does Northwest Shoals Community College Offer HVAC Students?
Northwest Shoals Community College in Muscle Shoals, Alabama offers an associate degree and 5 certificates in HVAC through its Air Conditioning/Refrigeration Technology (HVAC) program. Tuition and fees for 2024–25 were $5,131 for a full-time year (in-state). The school awarded 78 HVAC credentials in 2024–25. Best for earning an HVAC degree, not just a certificate.
HVAC Degree and Certificates at Northwest Shoals Community College
| Award | Type | Length |
|---|---|---|
| Associate in Occupational Technology, Air Conditioning/Refrigeration Technology | Associate | 60-61 credit hours |
| Air Conditioning/Refrigeration Technology Certificate | Certificate | 48 credit hours |
| Air Conditioning/Refrigeration Technology ACR Basic Short-Term Certificate | Certificate | 12 credit hours |
| Air Conditioning/Refrigeration Technology ACR Level 1 Short-Term Certificate | Certificate | 12 credit hours |
| Air Conditioning/Refrigeration Technology ACR Level 2 Short-Term Certificate | Certificate | 9 credit hours |
| Air Conditioning/Refrigeration Technology ACR Level 3 Short-Term Certificate | Certificate | 9 credit hours |
As listed on Northwest Shoals Community College's HVAC program page, reviewed September 26, 2026.
Northwest Shoals Community College HVAC Tuition: $5,131 a Year
- Tuition and fees
- $5,131 in-state, 2024–25
- Out of state
- $9,001 2024–25
- Books and supplies
- $1,600 2024–25 estimate
- HVAC certificates awarded
- 78 2024–25
- Graduation rate
- 39% school-wide, Fall 2021 cohort
- Students enrolled
- 4,665 school-wide, Fall 2024
Tuition and fees are for a full-time year. Awards count HVAC credentials conferred. Graduation rate and enrollment cover the whole school. Source: NCES College Navigator.
From Residential to Commercial Systems: What Northwest Shoals Community College Teaches
The Power5 HVAC Apprenticeship, started in January 2020, is described as the first nationally recognized competency-based HVAC apprenticeship in Alabama and pairs the AOT degree with two years of paid work.
- Refrigeration systemsrefrigeration piping, commercial refrigeration
- Electrical and wiring
- Heating, furnaces and boilerscommercial heating
- Air conditioningcommercial air conditioning
- Heat pumps and geothermal
- Commercial and industrial systemscommercial air conditioning, commercial heating, commercial refrigeration
When Northwest Shoals Community College HVAC Classes Meet
Schedule. Students can also enter the Power5 HVAC Apprenticeship, which combines the AOT degree with two years of paid on-the-job training at a sponsoring employer.
Where You'll Train: Shoals Campus
- Shoals Campus
Check start dates, admission steps and the current course list on Northwest Shoals Community College's own site.
Visit nwscc.eduWhat HVAC Technicians Earn Around Florence
HVAC technicians in the Florence-Muscle Shoals, AL metro area earn a median $46,560 a year. Across Alabama, the median HVAC technician wage is $48,370 a year, from $36,510 at the 10th percentile to $65,690 at the 90th, with 8,260 HVAC mechanics and installers employed. The national median is $61,010. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025.
5 More HVAC Schools Within 63 Miles of Muscle Shoals
- Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Pulaski49 mi
- Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Crump49 mi
- Northeast Mississippi Community College50 mi · $4,470/yr
- Itawamba Community College53 mi · $3,420/yr
- J. F. Drake State Community and Technical College63 mi · $5,190/yr
Straight-line distance between campuses. All HVAC schools in Alabama · HVAC schools in Muscle Shoals
Northwest Shoals Community College HVAC FAQ
Does Northwest Shoals Community College Have an HVAC Program?
Yes. Northwest Shoals Community College offers an associate degree and 5 certificates in HVAC at Shoals Campus. Training covers refrigeration systems, electrical and wiring, heating, furnaces and boilers, air conditioning, heat pumps and geothermal.
How Much Does HVAC School Cost at Northwest Shoals Community College?
Northwest Shoals Community College's 2024–25 tuition and fees were $5,131 for a full-time year (in-state) and $9,001 out of state, with books and supplies estimated at $1,600. HVAC students also buy hand tools and meters.
How Long Is the HVAC Program at Northwest Shoals Community College?
Associate in Occupational Technology, Air Conditioning/Refrigeration Technology: 60-61 credit hours. Air Conditioning/Refrigeration Technology Certificate: 48 credit hours. Air Conditioning/Refrigeration Technology ACR Basic Short-Term Certificate: 12 credit hours.
Does Northwest Shoals Community College Offer Night or Weekend HVAC Classes?
Students can also enter the Power5 HVAC Apprenticeship, which combines the AOT degree with two years of paid on-the-job training at a sponsoring employer.
How Much Do HVAC Technicians Make in Alabama?
The median HVAC technician wage in Alabama is $48,370 a year, and the middle half earn between $40,340 and $60,020 (BLS, May 2025).
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