What Does College of the Desert Offer HVAC Students?
College of the Desert in Palm Desert, California offers an associate degree and 4 certificates in HVAC through its Air Conditioning / HVACR program. Tuition and fees for 2024–25 were $1,326 for a full-time year (in-state). The school awarded 78 HVAC credentials in 2024–25. Best for earning an HVAC degree, not just a certificate.
HVAC Degree and Certificates at College of the Desert
| Award | Type | Length |
|---|---|---|
| Air Conditioning & Refrigeration AS | Associate | 63 units |
| Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Certificate of Achievement | Certificate | 27 units |
| Air Properties & Economizer Performance Certificate of Completion (noncredit) | Certificate | |
| Proper HVAC System Preparation & System Charging Certificate of Completion (noncredit) | Certificate | |
| Refrigerant Management & EPA-608 Preparation Certificate of Completion (noncredit) | Certificate |
As listed on College of the Desert's HVAC program page, reviewed September 26, 2026.
College of the Desert HVAC Tuition: $1,326 a Year
- Tuition and fees
- $1,326 in-state, 2024–25
- Out of state
- $10,174 2024–25
- Books and supplies
- $1,062 2024–25 estimate
- HVAC certificates awarded
- 68 2024–25
- HVAC associate degrees
- 10 2024–25
- Graduation rate
- 31% school-wide, Fall 2021 cohort
- Students enrolled
- 12,861 school-wide, Fall 2024
Tuition and fees are for a full-time year. Awards count HVAC credentials conferred. Graduation rate and enrollment cover the whole school. Source: NCES College Navigator.
Heat Pumps, Refrigeration and Controls at College of the Desert
Beyond the AS and certificate, the program offers short noncredit certificates in economizer performance, system charging and EPA 608 preparation, plus courses in chillers and building automation.
- EPA 608 refrigerant certification
- Refrigeration systems
- Electrical and wiring
- Heating, furnaces and boilersgas heating, hydronics
- Air conditioning
- Heat pumps and geothermal
- Controls and building automation
Certification Testing at College of the Desert
Testing. A noncredit Refrigerant Management & EPA-608 Preparation certificate prepares students for EPA 608 certification.
Where You'll Train: Palm Desert Campus
- Palm Desert campus
Check start dates, admission steps and the current course list on College of the Desert's own site.
Visit collegeofthedesert.eduWhat HVAC Technicians Earn in California
Across California, the median HVAC technician wage is $72,560 a year, from $46,950 at the 10th percentile to $109,060 at the 90th, with 35,130 HVAC mechanics and installers employed. The national median is $61,010. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025.
5 More HVAC Schools Within 52 Miles of Palm Desert
- San Joaquin Valley College-Rancho Mirage5 mi
- Mayfield College6 mi
- CET-Coachella12 mi
- San Joaquin Valley College-Temecula47 mi
- InterCoast Colleges-Riverside52 mi
Straight-line distance between campuses. All HVAC schools in California · HVAC schools in Palm Desert
College of the Desert HVAC FAQ
Does College of the Desert Have an HVAC Program?
Yes. College of the Desert offers an associate degree and 4 certificates in HVAC at Palm Desert campus. Training covers EPA 608 refrigerant certification, refrigeration systems, electrical and wiring, heating, furnaces and boilers, air conditioning.
How Much Does HVAC School Cost at College of the Desert?
College of the Desert's 2024–25 tuition and fees were $1,326 for a full-time year (in-state) and $10,174 out of state, with books and supplies estimated at $1,062. HVAC students also buy hand tools and meters.
How Long Is the HVAC Program at College of the Desert?
Air Conditioning & Refrigeration AS: 63 units. Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Certificate of Achievement: 27 units.
Can You Get EPA 608 Certified at College of the Desert?
A noncredit Refrigerant Management & EPA-608 Preparation certificate prepares students for EPA 608 certification.
How Much Do HVAC Technicians Make in California?
The median HVAC technician wage in California is $72,560 a year, and the middle half earn between $58,280 and $90,780 (BLS, May 2025).
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