Is There an HVAC School in Palm Desert?
- College of the Desert in Palm Desert, 1 miles away, offers Air Conditioning & Refrigeration AS and Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Certificate of Achievement.
- San Joaquin Valley College-Rancho Mirage in Rancho Mirage, 5 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).
- Mayfield College in Cathedral City, 7 miles away, offers Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning Certificate and HVAC/R Level 1, Electricity Advanced (Twentynine Palms campus only).
- 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 Palm Desert for What You Need
HVAC Schools in Palm Desert and the Surrounding Area
College of the Desert
Offers an associate degree and 4 certificates in HVAC
- Tuition / year
- $1,326 in-state, 2024–25
- HVAC awards
- 78 conferred 2024–25
The closest campus to Palm Desert; a degree option on top of certificates.
Covers EPA 608 · Refrigeration · Electrical · Heating · Air conditioning · Heat pumps
San Joaquin Valley College-Rancho Mirage
Offers an associate degree and a certificate in HVAC
- HVAC awards offered
- 2 certificates and degrees
- HVAC awards
- 24 conferred 2024–25
A degree option on top of certificates.
Covers Refrigeration · Electrical · Heating · Air conditioning · Controls · Ductwork
Mayfield College
Offers 2 certificates in HVAC
- HVAC awards offered
- 2 certificates and degrees
- HVAC awards
- 94 conferred 2024–25
Covers EPA 608 · Refrigeration · Electrical · Heating · Air conditioning · Heat pumps
CET-Coachella
Offers one other award in HVAC
- HVAC awards offered
- 1 certificates and degrees
- HVAC awards
- 41 conferred 2024–25
Covers EPA 608 · Refrigeration · Electrical · Heating · Ductwork
San Joaquin Valley College-Temecula
Offers an associate degree and a certificate in HVAC
- HVAC awards offered
- 2 certificates and degrees
- HVAC awards
- 76 conferred 2024–25
A degree option on top of certificates.
Covers Refrigeration · Electrical · Heating · Air conditioning · 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
Tuition and HVAC awards: NCES College Navigator. Programs and topics: each school's own HVAC page, reviewed September 2026. Distances are straight-line from Palm Desert.
College of the Desert and 7 More Programs Within 60 Miles
| School | Distance | Tuition and fees | HVAC awards | Graduation rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| College of the DesertPalm Desert | 1 miles | $1,326 | 78 | 31% |
| San Joaquin Valley College-Rancho MirageRancho Mirage | 5 miles | 24 | ||
| Mayfield CollegeCathedral City | 7 miles | 94 | ||
| CET-CoachellaCoachella | 11 miles | 41 | ||
| San Joaquin Valley College-TemeculaTemecula | 48 miles | 76 | ||
| InterCoast Colleges-RiversideRiverside | 54 miles | 0 | ||
| Summit CollegeSan Bernardino | 57 miles | 88 | ||
| UEI College-RiversideRiverside | 59 miles | 460 |
HVAC programs near Palm Desert, 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 Palm Desert: When Programs Meet
- San Joaquin Valley College-Rancho MirageStudents 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.
- Mayfield CollegeClasses run 35 weeks, Monday through Thursday, followed by a 5-week, 180-hour externship (Monday through Friday); the program is delivered in residence.
- CET-CoachellaStudents attend about 30 hours a week and usually finish the 900-hour program in 8 to 9 months; open enrollment lets students start the day after their application is complete.
Also publishing schedules: San Joaquin Valley College-Temecula (48 miles), InterCoast Colleges-Riverside (54 miles), Summit College (57 miles) and UEI College-Riverside (59 miles). See each profile for times.
Certificate or Associate Degree Near Palm Desert?
Mayfield College, CET-Coachella and InterCoast Colleges-Riverside offer certificates or diplomas only; College of the Desert, San Joaquin Valley College-Rancho Mirage and San Joaquin Valley College-Temecula also award an HVAC associate degree, which adds general education and usually takes about two years full time.
- College of the DesertAir Conditioning & Refrigeration AS: 63 units; Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Certificate of Achievement: 27 units
- San Joaquin Valley College-Rancho MirageHeating, 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
- Mayfield CollegeHeating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning Certificate: 720 clock hours / 35 semester credit hours (40 weeks incl. 5-week externship); HVAC/R Level 1, Electricity Advanced (Twentynine Palms campus only): 270 clock 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 Palm Desert
How Long Does HVAC School Take Near Palm Desert?
It depends on the credential. At College of the Desert, the closest program that publishes lengths, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration AS runs 63 units. 3 of the 8 schools near Palm Desert also offer an associate degree, which usually takes about two years full time.
How Much Do HVAC Technicians Make in Palm Desert?
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 Palm Desert?
College of the Desert scores highest on program size, cost and completion among the HVAC schools within 60 miles, with 78 HVAC awards in 2024–25. UEI College-Riverside ranks second.
Where Can You Get EPA 608 Certified Near Palm Desert?
College of the Desert, Mayfield College and CET-Coachella name EPA 608 preparation or testing on their HVAC program pages.
HVAC Programs Near Palm Desert but Farther Out
- San Bernardino Valley College, San Bernardino60 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.