Is There an HVAC School in San Marcos?
- Palomar College in San Marcos, 1 miles away, offers Air Conditioning/Heating/Refrigeration A.S. Degree and Air Conditioning/Heating/Refrigeration Certificate of Achievement.
- UEI College-Oceanside in Oceanside, 12 miles away, offers Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning Diploma.
- ATA College in El Cajon, 24 miles away, offers HVAC Technician II Diploma.
- 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 San Marcos for What You Need
HVAC Schools in San Marcos and the Surrounding Area
Palomar College
Offers an associate degree and 2 certificates in HVAC
- Tuition / year
- $1,354 in-state, 2024–25
- HVAC awards
- 22 conferred 2024–25
The closest campus to San Marcos; a degree option on top of certificates.
Covers EPA 608 · Refrigeration · Electrical · Heating · Air conditioning
UEI College-Oceanside
Offers a diploma in HVAC
- HVAC awards offered
- 1 certificates and degrees
- HVAC awards
- 128 conferred 2024–25
Some coursework online.
Covers EPA 608 · Refrigeration · Electrical · Heating · Air conditioning · Heat pumps
ATA College
Offers a diploma in HVAC
- HVAC awards offered
- 1 certificates and degrees
- HVAC awards
- 18 conferred 2024–25
Evening or weekend classes; some coursework online.
Covers EPA 608 · Refrigeration · Electrical · Air conditioning
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
San Diego City College
Offers 4 associate degrees and 9 certificates in HVAC
- Tuition / year
- $1,146 in-state, 2024–25
- HVAC awards
- 14 conferred 2024–25
The lowest tuition of the 2 HVAC schools here ($1,146); a degree option on top of certificates.
Covers Refrigeration · Air conditioning · Heat pumps · Controls · Commercial
UEI College-Chula Vista
Offers a diploma in HVAC
- HVAC awards offered
- 1 certificates and degrees
- HVAC awards
- 145 conferred 2024–25
The most HVAC awards nearby (145 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 San Marcos.
Palomar College and 7 More Programs Within 60 Miles
| School | Distance | Tuition and fees | HVAC awards | Graduation rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Palomar CollegeSan Marcos | 1 miles | $1,354 | 22 | 38% |
| UEI College-OceansideOceanside | 12 miles | 128 | ||
| ATA CollegeEl Cajon | 24 miles | 18 | ||
| San Joaquin Valley College-TemeculaTemecula | 27 miles | 76 | ||
| San Diego City CollegeSan Diego | 29 miles | $1,146 | 14 | 30% |
| UEI College-Chula VistaChula Vista | 37 miles | 145 | ||
| InterCoast Colleges-RiversideRiverside | 53 miles | 0 | ||
| American College of Healthcare and TechnologyRiverside | 56 miles | 25 |
HVAC programs near San Marcos, 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 San Marcos: ATA College Teaches Evenings or Weekends
- UEI College-OceansideThe 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.
- ATA CollegeClasses are held during the day, in the evening or online (hybrid), and full-time students finish in about 11 months; the program includes a five-week externship with a local employer.
- San Joaquin Valley College-TemeculaStudents 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.
Also publishing schedules: UEI College-Chula Vista (37 miles), InterCoast Colleges-Riverside (53 miles) and American College of Healthcare and Technology (56 miles). See each profile for times.
Certificate or Associate Degree Near San Marcos?
UEI College-Oceanside, ATA College and UEI College-Chula Vista offer certificates or diplomas only; Palomar College, San Joaquin Valley College-Temecula and San Diego City College also award an HVAC associate degree, which adds general education and usually takes about two years full time.
- Palomar CollegeAir Conditioning/Heating/Refrigeration A.S. Degree: 25-26 major units plus general education; Air Conditioning/Heating/Refrigeration Certificate of Achievement: 16 units; Air Conditioning, Heating and Refrigeration Entry Employment Ready Certificate of Proficiency: 10 units
- UEI College-OceansideHeating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning Diploma: 720 clock hours / 36 semester credit units (36 instructional weeks; 40 weeks normal time)
- ATA CollegeHVAC Technician II Diploma: 45 semester credits / 40 weeks
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 San Marcos
How Much Do HVAC Schools in San Marcos Cost?
San Diego City College charges the least, $1,146 a year full time in 2024–25 (in-state); Palomar College charges $1,354. Tools and books cost extra (San Diego City College budgets $1,062 for books and supplies).
How Long Does HVAC School Take Near San Marcos?
It depends on the credential. At Palomar College, the closest program that publishes lengths, Air Conditioning/Heating/Refrigeration A.S. Degree runs 25-26 major units plus general education. 3 of the 8 schools near San Marcos also offer an associate degree, which usually takes about two years full time.
How Much Do HVAC Technicians Make in San Marcos?
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 San Marcos?
UEI College-Chula Vista scores highest on program size, cost and completion among the HVAC schools within 60 miles, with 145 HVAC awards in 2024–25. San Joaquin Valley College-Temecula ranks second.
Where Can You Get EPA 608 Certified Near San Marcos?
Palomar College, UEI College-Oceanside and ATA College name EPA 608 preparation or testing on their HVAC program pages.
Are There Night HVAC Classes Near San Marcos?
Yes. ATA College (24 miles) publishes evening or weekend classes. Each school profile has its full schedule.
HVAC Programs Near San Marcos but Farther Out
- Orange Coast College, Costa Mesa57 miles
- Riverside City College, Riverside59 miles
- UEI College-Riverside, Riverside59 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.