Is There an HVAC School in Los Altos Hills?
- Foothill College in Los Altos Hills, in town away, offers Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Technology Apprenticeship AS and Certificate of Achievement in Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Technology.
- Institute for Business and Technology in San Jose, 9 miles away, offers Commercial Refrigeration, Heating & Air Conditioning Diploma.
- San Jose City College in San Jose, 12 miles away, offers Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Technology Associate in Science and Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Technology Certificate of Achievement Level 2.
- EPA 608: 3 of these 7 schools name EPA 608 preparation or testing.
- HVAC pay in California: a median $72,560 a year (BLS, May 2025).
Best HVAC Schools in Los Altos Hills for What You Need
HVAC Schools in Los Altos Hills and the Surrounding Area
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
The only campus on this list inside Los Altos Hills; a degree option on top of certificates.
Covers Refrigeration · Air conditioning · Controls · Ductwork · Commercial
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 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
CET-San Jose
Offers one other award in HVAC
- HVAC awards offered
- 1 certificates and degrees
- HVAC awards
- 33 conferred 2024–25
Covers EPA 608 · Refrigeration · Electrical · Heating · Ductwork
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
Some coursework online; a degree option on top of certificates.
Covers Refrigeration · Air conditioning
Laney College
Offers 3 associate degrees and 4 certificates in HVAC
- Tuition / year
- $1,258 in-state, 2024–25
- HVAC awards
- 29 conferred 2024–25
The lowest tuition of the 5 HVAC schools here ($1,258); a degree option on top of certificates.
Covers Refrigeration · Heating · Air conditioning · Controls · Commercial
Tuition and HVAC awards: NCES College Navigator. Programs and topics: each school's own HVAC page, reviewed September 2026. Distances are straight-line from Los Altos Hills.
Foothill College and 6 More Programs Within 60 Miles
| School | Distance | Tuition and fees | HVAC awards | Graduation rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Foothill CollegeLos Altos Hills | in town | $1,565 | 106 | 56% |
| Institute for Business and TechnologySan Jose | 9 miles | 173 | ||
| San Jose City CollegeSan Jose | 12 miles | $1,366 | 62 | 34% |
| CET-San JoseSan Jose | 14 miles | 33 | ||
| City College of San FranciscoSan Francisco | 30 miles | $1,696 | 15 | 40% |
| Laney CollegeOakland | 31 miles | $1,258 | 29 | 31% |
| Gavilan CollegeGilroy | 42 miles | $1,508 | 22 | 42% |
HVAC programs near Los Altos Hills, 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 Los Altos Hills: When Programs Meet
- 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.
- San Jose City CollegeStudents can add work experience credit (AIRC 138).
Also publishing schedules: CET-San Jose (14 miles) and City College of San Francisco (30 miles). See each profile for times.
Certificate or Associate Degree Near Los Altos Hills?
Institute for Business and Technology, CET-San Jose and Gavilan College offer certificates or diplomas only; Foothill College, San Jose City College and City College of San Francisco also award an HVAC associate degree, which adds general education and usually takes about two years full time.
- 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
- San Jose City CollegeAir Conditioning and Refrigeration Technology Associate in Science: 60-60.5 units (31.5-32 major units); Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Technology Certificate of Achievement Level 2: 20.5 units; Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Technology Certificate of Achievement Level 3: 32 units
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 Los Altos Hills
How Much Do HVAC Schools in Los Altos Hills Cost?
Laney College charges the least, $1,258 a year full time in 2024–25 (in-state); City College of San Francisco charges $1,696. Tools and books cost extra (Laney College budgets $1,492 for books and supplies).
How Long Does HVAC School Take Near Los Altos Hills?
It depends on the credential. At Foothill College, the closest program that publishes lengths, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Technology Apprenticeship AS runs 45.5-70 major units. 4 of the 7 schools near Los Altos Hills also offer an associate degree, which usually takes about two years full time.
How Much Do HVAC Technicians Make in Los Altos Hills?
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 Los Altos Hills?
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 Los Altos Hills?
Institute for Business and Technology, San Jose City College and CET-San Jose name EPA 608 preparation or testing on their HVAC program pages.
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Guides, Careers and Pay
Sources
- Official HVAC program pages of the 7 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.