Which HVAC Schools in Foster City Should You Compare?
- City College of San Francisco in San Francisco, 16 miles away, offers Mechanical Engineering Technology AS Degree (HVACR and Engineered Plumbing Systems option) and Heating, Ventilation, Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Certificate of Accomplishment.
- Foothill College in Los Altos Hills, 16 miles away, offers Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Technology Apprenticeship AS and Certificate of Achievement in Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Technology.
- Laney College in Oakland, 16 miles away, offers Building Automation Systems A.S. and Commercial HVAC Systems A.S..
- EPA 608: 4 of these 8 schools name EPA 608 preparation or testing.
- HVAC pay in California: a median $72,560 a year (BLS, May 2025).
Compare HVAC Programs Near Foster City
| School | Distance | Tuition and fees | HVAC awards | Graduation rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| City College of San FranciscoSan Francisco | 16 miles | $1,696 | 15 | 40% |
| Foothill CollegeLos Altos Hills | 16 miles | $1,565 | 106 | 56% |
| Laney CollegeOakland | 16 miles | $1,258 | 29 | 31% |
| Institute for Business and TechnologySan Jose | 21 miles | 173 | ||
| San Jose City CollegeSan Jose | 25 miles | $1,366 | 62 | 34% |
| CET-San JoseSan Jose | 26 miles | 33 | ||
| Gavilan CollegeGilroy | 56 miles | $1,508 | 22 | 42% |
| San Joaquin Delta CollegeStockton | 59 miles | $1,180 | 12 | 35% |
HVAC programs near Foster City, 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.
Best HVAC Schools in Foster City for What You Need
HVAC Schools in Foster City: Foothill College and 7 Others
Foothill College
Offers 2 associate degrees and 2 certificates in HVAC
- Tuition / year
- $1,565 in-state, 2024–25
- HVAC awards
- 106 conferred 2024–25
A degree option on top of certificates.
Covers Refrigeration · Air conditioning · Controls · Ductwork · Commercial
San Jose City College
Offers an associate degree and 2 certificates in HVAC
- Tuition / year
- $1,366 in-state, 2024–25
- HVAC awards
- 62 conferred 2024–25
A degree option on top of certificates.
Covers EPA 608 · Refrigeration · Electrical · Heating · Air conditioning · Controls
Institute for Business and Technology
Offers a diploma in HVAC
- HVAC awards offered
- 1 certificates and degrees
- HVAC awards
- 173 conferred 2024–25
The most HVAC awards nearby (173 in 2024–25).
Covers EPA 608 · Refrigeration · Electrical · Heating · Air conditioning · Commercial
San Joaquin Delta College
Offers an associate degree and 2 certificates in HVAC
- Tuition / year
- $1,180 in-state, 2024–25
- HVAC awards
- 12 conferred 2024–25
The lowest tuition of the 6 HVAC schools here ($1,180); a degree option on top of certificates.
Covers EPA 608 · Refrigeration · Heating · Air conditioning
Gavilan College
Offers a certificate in HVAC
- Tuition / year
- $1,508 in-state, 2024–25
- HVAC awards
- 22 conferred 2024–25
Covers Refrigeration · Electrical · Heating · Air conditioning · Heat pumps · Controls
City College of San Francisco
Offers an associate degree and a certificate in HVAC
- Tuition / year
- $1,696 in-state, 2024–25
- HVAC awards
- 15 conferred 2024–25
The closest campus to Foster City; some coursework online; a degree option on top of certificates.
Covers Refrigeration · Air conditioning
Tuition and HVAC awards: NCES College Navigator. Programs and topics: each school's own HVAC page, reviewed September 2026. Distances are straight-line from Foster City.
HVAC Classes in Foster City: When Programs Meet
- City College of San FranciscoThe program is offered fully or partially online.
- Foothill CollegeBoth are five-year registered apprenticeships that combine paid on-the-job training with college coursework; enrollment is limited to apprentices registered with the California Division of Apprenticeship Standards.
- Institute for Business and TechnologyThe diploma is delivered on site, full time, and can be completed in as few as 10.5 months.
Also publishing schedules: San Jose City College (25 miles) and CET-San Jose (26 miles). See each profile for times.
Certificate or Associate Degree Near Foster City?
Institute for Business and Technology, CET-San Jose and Gavilan College offer certificates or diplomas only; City College of San Francisco, Foothill College and Laney College also award an HVAC associate degree, which adds general education and usually takes about two years full time.
- City College of San FranciscoMechanical Engineering Technology AS Degree (HVACR and Engineered Plumbing Systems option): 34.5-40 major units; Heating, Ventilation, Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Certificate of Accomplishment: 9.5 units
- Foothill CollegeAir Conditioning & Refrigeration Technology Apprenticeship AS: 45.5-70 major units; Certificate of Achievement in Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Technology: 45.5-70 units; Air Conditioning Mechanic Apprenticeship AS: 57-61 major units
- Institute for Business and TechnologyCommercial Refrigeration, Heating & Air Conditioning Diploma: as few as 10.5 months
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 Foster City
How Much Do HVAC Schools in Foster City Cost?
San Joaquin Delta College charges the least, $1,180 a year full time in 2024–25 (in-state); City College of San Francisco charges $1,696. Tools and books cost extra (San Joaquin Delta College budgets $2,000 for books and supplies).
How Long Does HVAC School Take Near Foster City?
It depends on the credential. At City College of San Francisco, the closest program that publishes lengths, Mechanical Engineering Technology AS Degree (HVACR and Engineered Plumbing Systems option) runs 34.5-40 major units. 5 of the 8 schools near Foster City also offer an associate degree, which usually takes about two years full time.
How Much Do HVAC Technicians Make in Foster City?
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 Foster City?
Foothill College scores highest on program size, cost and completion among the HVAC schools within 60 miles, with 106 HVAC awards in 2024–25. San Jose City College ranks second.
Where Can You Get EPA 608 Certified Near Foster City?
Institute for Business and Technology, San Jose City College and CET-San Jose name EPA 608 preparation or testing on their HVAC program pages.
HVAC Programs Near Foster City but Farther Out
- UEI College-Stockton, Stockton60 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.