Is HVAC School in Modesto Worth the Cost?
- Median HVAC pay in the Modesto, CA metro area: $64,760, against $61,010 nationally (BLS, May 2025).
- DeHart Technical School in Modesto, 5 miles away, offers HVAC/R Facilities Maintenance Course 3 (Hybrid or In-Person) and Facilities Maintenance HVAC Course 1 (Hybrid or In-Person).
- UEI College-Stockton in Stockton, 30 miles away, offers Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning Diploma.
- San Joaquin Delta College in Stockton, 30 miles away, offers Heating and Air Conditioning, Refrigeration AS and Heating and Air Conditioning Certificate of Achievement.
- EPA 608: 6 of these 8 schools name EPA 608 preparation or testing.
HVAC Technician Pay Around Modesto
Annual wages for HVAC mechanics and installers in the Modesto, CA metro area (470 jobs); U.S. median $61,010. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025.
Compare HVAC Programs Near Modesto
| School | Distance | Tuition and fees | HVAC awards | Graduation rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DeHart Technical SchoolModesto | 5 miles | 69 | ||
| UEI College-StocktonStockton | 30 miles | 106 | ||
| San Joaquin Delta CollegeStockton | 30 miles | $1,180 | 12 | 35% |
| Merced CollegeMerced | 36 miles | $1,200 | 35 | 36% |
| CET-San JoseSan Jose | 53 miles | 33 | ||
| San Jose City CollegeSan Jose | 55 miles | $1,366 | 62 | 34% |
| Gavilan CollegeGilroy | 56 miles | $1,508 | 22 | 42% |
| Institute for Business and TechnologySan Jose | 56 miles | 173 |
HVAC programs near Modesto, 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 Modesto for What You Need
HVAC Schools in Modesto: Institute for Business and Technology and 7 Others
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
Merced College
Offers 2 associate degrees and 2 certificates in HVAC
- Tuition / year
- $1,200 in-state, 2024–25
- HVAC awards
- 35 conferred 2024–25
A degree option on top of certificates.
Covers Refrigeration · Electrical · Heating · Air conditioning · Commercial
UEI College-Stockton
Offers a diploma in HVAC
- HVAC awards offered
- 1 certificates and degrees
- HVAC awards
- 106 conferred 2024–25
Some coursework online.
Covers EPA 608 · Refrigeration · Electrical · Heating · Air conditioning · Heat pumps
DeHart Technical School
Offers 2 certificates in HVAC
- HVAC awards offered
- 2 certificates and degrees
- HVAC awards
- 69 conferred 2024–25
The closest campus to Modesto; evening or weekend classes; some coursework online.
Covers EPA 608 · Refrigeration · Electrical · Heating · Air conditioning
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 4 HVAC schools here ($1,180); a degree option on top of certificates.
Covers EPA 608 · Refrigeration · Heating · 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 Modesto.
Certificate or Associate Degree Near Modesto?
DeHart Technical School, UEI College-Stockton and CET-San Jose offer certificates or diplomas only; San Joaquin Delta College, Merced College and San Jose City College also award an HVAC associate degree, which adds general education and usually takes about two years full time.
- DeHart Technical SchoolHVAC/R Facilities Maintenance Course 3 (Hybrid or In-Person): 928 hours (48 weeks); Facilities Maintenance HVAC Course 1 (Hybrid or In-Person): 480 hours (24 weeks)
- UEI College-StocktonHeating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning Diploma: 720 clock hours / 36 semester credit units (36 instructional weeks; 40 weeks normal time)
- Merced CollegeHVAC Technician AS: 60 units (19-unit program core); Commercial Refrigeration Technician AS: 60 units (31-unit program core); HVAC Technician Certificate of Achievement: 19 units
HVAC Classes in Modesto: DeHart Technical School Teaches Evenings or Weekends
- DeHart Technical SchoolClasses run Monday through Friday in morning (7:30-11:30), afternoon (12:15-4:15) or evening (5:00-9:00) sessions. The hybrid format holds lectures online Monday, Wednesday and Friday and on-campus labs Tuesday and Thursday; an in-person format is also offered. New programs start every month.
- UEI College-StocktonThe 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.
- Merced CollegeThe HVAC program can be completed in two semesters and the HVAC/R (commercial refrigeration) program in three semesters.
Also publishing schedules: CET-San Jose (53 miles), San Jose City College (55 miles) and Institute for Business and Technology (56 miles). See each profile for times.
Questions About HVAC Schools in Modesto
How Much Do HVAC Schools in Modesto Cost?
San Joaquin Delta College charges the least, $1,180 a year full time in 2024–25 (in-state); Gavilan College charges $1,508. Tools and books cost extra (San Joaquin Delta College budgets $2,000 for books and supplies).
How Long Does HVAC School Take Near Modesto?
It depends on the credential. At DeHart Technical School, the closest program that publishes lengths, HVAC/R Facilities Maintenance Course 3 (Hybrid or In-Person) runs 928 hours (48 weeks). 3 of the 8 schools near Modesto also offer an associate degree, which usually takes about two years full time.
How Much Do HVAC Technicians Make in Modesto?
HVAC mechanics and installers in the Modesto, CA metro area earn a median $64,760 a year (BLS, May 2025), 6% above the U.S. median of $61,010. The top 10% earn more than $90,480.
What Is the Best HVAC School Near Modesto?
Institute for Business and Technology scores highest on program size, cost and completion among the HVAC schools within 60 miles, with 173 HVAC awards in 2024–25. Merced College ranks second.
Where Can You Get EPA 608 Certified Near Modesto?
DeHart Technical School, UEI College-Stockton and San Joaquin Delta College name EPA 608 preparation or testing on their HVAC program pages.
Are There Night HVAC Classes Near Modesto?
Yes. DeHart Technical School (5 miles) publishes evening or weekend classes. Each school profile has its full schedule.
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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.