Is HVAC School in San Francisco Worth the Cost?
- Median HVAC pay in the San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA metro area: $78,490, against $61,010 nationally (BLS, May 2025).
- City College of San Francisco in San Francisco, 32 miles away, offers Mechanical Engineering Technology AS Degree (HVACR and Engineered Plumbing Systems option) and Heating, Ventilation, Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Certificate of Accomplishment.
- Laney College in Oakland, 42 miles away, offers Building Automation Systems A.S. and Commercial HVAC Systems A.S..
- Foothill College in Los Altos Hills, 56 miles away, offers Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Technology Apprenticeship AS and Certificate of Achievement in Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Technology.
HVAC Technician Pay Around San Francisco
Annual wages for HVAC mechanics and installers in the San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA metro area (3,980 jobs); U.S. median $61,010. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025.
Compare HVAC Programs Near San Francisco
| School | Distance | Tuition and fees | HVAC awards | Graduation rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| City College of San FranciscoSan Francisco | 32 miles | $1,696 | 15 | 40% |
| Laney CollegeOakland | 42 miles | $1,258 | 29 | 31% |
| Foothill CollegeLos Altos Hills | 56 miles | $1,565 | 106 | 56% |
HVAC programs near San Francisco, 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 San Francisco for What You Need
HVAC Schools in San Francisco: Foothill College and 2 Others
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 most HVAC awards nearby (106 in 2024–25).
Covers Refrigeration · Air conditioning · Controls · Ductwork · Commercial
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 3 HVAC schools here ($1,258).
Covers Refrigeration · Heating · Air conditioning · Controls · Commercial
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
The closest campus to San Francisco; some coursework online.
Covers Refrigeration · 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 San Francisco.
HVAC Degrees Near San Francisco
- City College of San FranciscoMechanical Engineering Technology AS Degree (HVACR and Engineered Plumbing Systems option): 34.5-40 major units; Heating, Ventilation, Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Certificate of Accomplishment: 9.5 units
- 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
HVAC Classes in San Francisco: When Programs Meet
- City College of San FranciscoThe program is offered fully or partially online.
- 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.
Questions About HVAC Schools in San Francisco
How Much Do HVAC Schools in San Francisco 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 San Francisco?
It depends on the credential. At City College of San Francisco, the closest program that publishes lengths, Mechanical Engineering Technology AS Degree (HVACR and Engineered Plumbing Systems option) runs 34.5-40 major units. 3 of the 3 schools near San Francisco also offer an associate degree, which usually takes about two years full time.
How Much Do HVAC Technicians Make in San Francisco?
HVAC mechanics and installers in the San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA metro area earn a median $78,490 a year (BLS, May 2025), 29% above the U.S. median of $61,010. The top 10% earn more than $129,380.
What Is the Best HVAC School Near San Francisco?
Foothill College scores highest on program size, cost and completion among the HVAC schools within 60 miles, with 106 HVAC awards in 2024–25. Laney College ranks second.
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Guides, Careers and Pay
Sources
- Official HVAC program pages of the 3 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.