Is HVAC School in Ontario Worth the Cost?
- Median HVAC pay in the Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA metro area: $64,300, against $61,010 nationally (BLS, May 2025).
- San Joaquin Valley College-Ontario in Ontario, 4 miles away, offers Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Certificate of Completion and Trades Studies Associate of Science (general education completion for HVAC-R certificate holders).
- UEI College-Ontario in Ontario, 4 miles away, offers Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning Diploma.
- Chaffey College in Chino, 8 miles away, offers Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Level I - Noncredit Certificate of Completion and Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Level II - Noncredit Certificate of Completion.
- EPA 608: 6 of these 8 schools name EPA 608 preparation or testing.
HVAC Technician Pay Around Ontario
Annual wages for HVAC mechanics and installers in the Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA metro area (4,820 jobs); U.S. median $61,010. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025.
Compare HVAC Programs Near Ontario
| School | Distance | Tuition and fees | HVAC awards | Graduation rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Joaquin Valley College-OntarioOntario | 4 miles | 31 | ||
| UEI College-OntarioOntario | 4 miles | 254 | ||
| Chaffey CollegeChino | 8 miles | $1,184 | 6 | 36% |
| American College of Healthcare and Technology in Riverside, CARiverside | 11 miles | 25 | ||
| Riverside City CollegeRiverside | 13 miles | $1,428 | 144 | 37% |
| Mt San Antonio CollegeWalnut | 14 miles | $1,364 | 47 | 45% |
| CET-ColtonColton | 15 miles | 16 | ||
| UEI College-RiversideRiverside | 15 miles | 460 |
HVAC programs near Ontario, 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 Ontario for What You Need
HVAC Schools in Ontario: Mt San Antonio College and 7 Others
Mt San Antonio College
Offers 2 associate degrees and a certificate in HVAC
- Tuition / year
- $1,364 in-state, 2024–25
- HVAC awards
- 47 conferred 2024–25
Evening or weekend classes; a degree option on top of certificates.
Covers EPA 608 · Refrigeration · Electrical · Heating · Controls · Ductwork
UEI College-Riverside
Offers a diploma in HVAC
- HVAC awards offered
- 1 certificates and degrees
- HVAC awards
- 460 conferred 2024–25
The most HVAC awards nearby (460 in 2024–25); some coursework online.
Covers EPA 608 · Refrigeration · Electrical · Heating · Air conditioning · Heat pumps
Riverside City College
Offers 2 associate degrees and 4 certificates in HVAC
- Tuition / year
- $1,428 in-state, 2024–25
- HVAC awards
- 144 conferred 2024–25
A degree option on top of certificates.
Covers Refrigeration · Electrical · Heating · Air conditioning · Controls
UEI College-Ontario
Offers a diploma in HVAC
- HVAC awards offered
- 1 certificates and degrees
- HVAC awards
- 254 conferred 2024–25
Some coursework online.
Covers EPA 608 · Refrigeration · Electrical · Heating · Air conditioning · Heat pumps
San Joaquin Valley College-Ontario
Offers an associate degree and a certificate in HVAC
- HVAC awards offered
- 2 certificates and degrees
- HVAC awards
- 31 conferred 2024–25
The closest campus to Ontario; a degree option on top of certificates.
Covers Refrigeration · Electrical · Heating · Air conditioning · Controls · Ductwork
Chaffey College
Offers 2 certificates in HVAC
- Tuition / year
- $1,184 in-state, 2024–25
- HVAC awards
- 6 conferred 2024–25
The lowest tuition of the 3 HVAC schools here ($1,184).
Covers EPA 608 · Electrical · Heating · Heat pumps · Controls · 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 Ontario.
Certificate or Associate Degree Near Ontario?
UEI College-Ontario, Chaffey College and American College of Healthcare and Technology offer certificates or diplomas only; San Joaquin Valley College-Ontario, Riverside City College and Mt San Antonio College also award an HVAC associate degree, which adds general education and usually takes about two years full time.
- San Joaquin Valley College-OntarioHeating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Certificate of Completion: as few as 10 months; Trades Studies Associate of Science (general education completion for HVAC-R certificate holders): 25 weeks
- UEI College-OntarioHeating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning Diploma: 720 clock hours / 36 semester credit units (36 instructional weeks; 40 weeks normal time)
- Chaffey CollegeHeating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Level I - Noncredit Certificate of Completion: 400-450 hours; Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Level II - Noncredit Certificate of Completion: 400-450 hours
HVAC Classes in Ontario: Mt San Antonio College Teaches Evenings or Weekends
- San Joaquin Valley College-OntarioStudents can earn the certificate of completion in as few as 10 months; certificate holders can add the Trades Studies Associate of Science in 25 weeks.
- UEI College-OntarioThe 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.
- American College of Healthcare and Technology in Riverside, CAThe diploma takes about 9 months (36 weeks) with monthly starts and is delivered in a blended format that combines synchronous and asynchronous online classes with on-campus labs.
Also publishing schedules: Mt San Antonio College (14 miles), CET-Colton (15 miles) and UEI College-Riverside (15 miles). See each profile for times.
Questions About HVAC Schools in Ontario
How Much Do HVAC Schools in Ontario Cost?
Chaffey College charges the least, $1,184 a year full time in 2024–25 (in-state); Riverside City College charges $1,428. Tools and books cost extra (Chaffey College budgets $1,062 for books and supplies).
How Long Does HVAC School Take Near Ontario?
It depends on the credential. At San Joaquin Valley College-Ontario, the closest program that publishes lengths, Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Certificate of Completion runs as few as 10 months. 3 of the 8 schools near Ontario also offer an associate degree, which usually takes about two years full time.
How Much Do HVAC Technicians Make in Ontario?
HVAC mechanics and installers in the Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA metro area earn a median $64,300 a year (BLS, May 2025), 5% above the U.S. median of $61,010. The top 10% earn more than $95,910.
What Is the Best HVAC School Near Ontario?
Mt San Antonio College scores highest on program size, cost and completion among the HVAC schools within 60 miles, with 47 HVAC awards in 2024–25. UEI College-Riverside ranks second.
Where Can You Get EPA 608 Certified Near Ontario?
UEI College-Ontario, Chaffey College and American College of Healthcare and Technology name EPA 608 preparation or testing on their HVAC program pages.
Are There Night HVAC Classes Near Ontario?
Yes. Mt San Antonio College (14 miles) publishes evening or weekend classes. Each school profile has its full schedule.
HVAC Programs Near Ontario but Farther Out
- InterCoast Colleges-West Covina, West Covina17 miles
- San Bernardino Valley College, San Bernardino17 miles
- UEI College-West Covina, West Covina18 miles
- Summit College, San Bernardino19 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.