Is There an HVAC School in Costa Mesa?
- Orange Coast College in Costa Mesa, in town away, offers Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration (HVACR) Associate in Science Degree and Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration (HVACR) Certificate of Achievement.
- UEI College-Garden Grove in Garden Grove, 10 miles away, offers Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning Diploma.
- Brownson Technical School in Anaheim, 11 miles away, offers HVAC/R Technology Diploma.
- EPA 608: 6 of these 8 schools name EPA 608 preparation or testing.
- HVAC pay in California: a median $72,560 a year (BLS, May 2025).
Best HVAC Schools in Costa Mesa for What You Need
HVAC Schools in Costa Mesa and the Surrounding Area
Orange Coast College
Offers an associate degree and 3 certificates in HVAC
- Tuition / year
- $1,392 in-state, 2024–25
- HVAC awards
- 87 conferred 2024–25
The only campus on this list inside Costa Mesa; a degree option on top of certificates.
Covers Refrigeration · Electrical · Heating · Air conditioning · Controls · Ductwork
UEI College-Garden Grove
Offers a diploma in HVAC
- HVAC awards offered
- 1 certificates and degrees
- HVAC awards
- 174 conferred 2024–25
Some coursework online.
Covers EPA 608 · Refrigeration · Electrical · Heating · Air conditioning · Heat pumps
Brownson Technical School
Offers a diploma in HVAC
- HVAC awards offered
- 1 certificates and degrees
- HVAC awards
- 242 conferred 2024–25
The most HVAC awards nearby (242 in 2024–25); evening or weekend classes; some coursework online.
Covers EPA 608 · Refrigeration · Electrical · Heating · Air conditioning · Heat pumps
Cypress College
Offers 2 associate degrees and 9 certificates in HVAC
- Tuition / year
- $1,150 in-state, 2024–25
- HVAC awards
- 70 conferred 2024–25
A degree option on top of certificates.
Covers Refrigeration · Electrical · Heat pumps · Controls · Commercial
Compton College
Offers an associate degree and 4 certificates in HVAC
- Tuition / year
- $1,142 in-state, 2024–25
- HVAC awards
- 5 conferred 2024–25
The lowest tuition of the 4 HVAC schools here ($1,142); a degree option on top of certificates.
Covers EPA 608 · Refrigeration · Electrical · Heating · Air conditioning · Controls
Hacienda La Puente Adult Education
Offers one other award in HVAC
- HVAC awards offered
- 1 certificates and degrees
- HVAC awards
- 34 conferred 2024–25
Evening or weekend classes.
Covers EPA 608 · Refrigeration · Electrical · Heating · Air conditioning · Ductwork
Tuition and HVAC awards: NCES College Navigator. Programs and topics: each school's own HVAC page, reviewed September 2026. Distances are straight-line from Costa Mesa.
Orange Coast College and 7 More Programs Within 60 Miles
| School | Distance | Tuition and fees | HVAC awards | Graduation rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Orange Coast CollegeCosta Mesa | in town | $1,392 | 87 | 48% |
| UEI College-Garden GroveGarden Grove | 10 miles | 174 | ||
| Brownson Technical SchoolAnaheim | 11 miles | 242 | ||
| Cypress CollegeCypress | 13 miles | $1,150 | 70 | 37% |
| Compton CollegeCompton | 23 miles | $1,142 | 5 | 27% |
| Hacienda La Puente Adult EducationLa Puente | 26 miles | 34 | ||
| UEI College-GardenaGardena | 27 miles | 87 | ||
| Mt San Antonio CollegeWalnut | 27 miles | $1,364 | 47 | 45% |
HVAC programs near Costa Mesa, sorted by straight-line distance. Tuition: 2024–25 full-time rate. Awards: HVAC credentials conferred (NCES College Navigator). Graduation rate is school-wide. Blank cells have no federal figure.
HVAC Classes in Costa Mesa: 3 Schools Teach Evenings or Weekends
- UEI College-Garden GroveThe diploma is offered in hybrid (online classes plus on-campus labs) and in-residence formats, with new classes starting monthly; it can be completed in as few as 10 months.
- Brownson Technical SchoolStudents new to HVAC can attend full time Monday through Thursday (as little as 10 months) or take part-time evening classes (Monday to Wednesday, 5:40 to 10:00 p.m.); working technicians can also choose a blended online and on-campus format.
- Hacienda La Puente Adult EducationDay classes run Monday to Thursday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (Willow Center), and evening classes Monday to Thursday, 5:00 to 8:30 p.m.
Also publishing schedules: UEI College-Gardena (27 miles) and Mt San Antonio College (27 miles). See each profile for times.
Certificate or Associate Degree Near Costa Mesa?
UEI College-Garden Grove, Brownson Technical School and Hacienda La Puente Adult Education offer certificates or diplomas only; Orange Coast College, Cypress College and Compton College also award an HVAC associate degree, which adds general education and usually takes about two years full time.
- Orange Coast CollegeHeating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration (HVACR) Associate in Science Degree: 60-62 units (30 major units); Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration (HVACR) Certificate of Achievement: 30 units; Air Conditioning and Heating Service and Installation Certificate of Achievement: 15 units
- UEI College-Garden GroveHeating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning Diploma: 720 clock hours / 36 semester credit units (36 instructional weeks; 40 weeks normal time)
- Brownson Technical SchoolHVAC/R Technology Diploma: 1,040 clock hours / 40 semester credit hours
HVAC Technician Pay in California
Annual wages for HVAC mechanics and installers in California (35,130 jobs); U.S. median $61,010. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025.
Questions About HVAC Schools in Costa Mesa
How Much Do HVAC Schools in Costa Mesa Cost?
Compton College charges the least, $1,142 a year full time in 2024–25 (in-state); Orange Coast College charges $1,392. Tools and books cost extra (Compton College budgets $1,062 for books and supplies).
How Long Does HVAC School Take Near Costa Mesa?
It depends on the credential. At Orange Coast College, the closest program that publishes lengths, Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration (HVACR) Associate in Science Degree runs 60-62 units (30 major units). 4 of the 8 schools near Costa Mesa also offer an associate degree, which usually takes about two years full time.
How Much Do HVAC Technicians Make in Costa Mesa?
HVAC mechanics and installers in California earn a median $72,560 a year (BLS, May 2025), 19% above the U.S. median of $61,010. The top 10% earn more than $109,060.
What Is the Best HVAC School Near Costa Mesa?
Orange Coast College scores highest on program size, cost and completion among the HVAC schools within 60 miles, with 87 HVAC awards in 2024–25. Brownson Technical School ranks second.
Where Can You Get EPA 608 Certified Near Costa Mesa?
UEI College-Garden Grove, Brownson Technical School and Compton College name EPA 608 preparation or testing on their HVAC program pages.
Are There Night HVAC Classes Near Costa Mesa?
Yes. Brownson Technical School (11 miles), Hacienda La Puente Adult Education (26 miles) and Mt San Antonio College (27 miles) publish evening or weekend classes. Each school profile has its full schedule.
HVAC Programs Near Costa Mesa but Farther Out
- InterCoast Colleges-West Covina, West Covina28 miles
- American College of Healthcare and Technology in Huntington Park, CA, Huntington Park28 miles
- UEI College-West Covina, West Covina28 miles
- El Camino Community College District, Torrance28 miles
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Guides, Careers and Pay
Sources
- Official HVAC program pages of the 8 schools above (each profile links to its page), reviewed September 2026.
- U.S. Department of Education, College Navigator (IPEDS).
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025.