Is There an HVAC School in Santa Clara?
- Institute for Business and Technology in San Jose, in town away, offers Commercial Refrigeration, Heating & Air Conditioning Diploma.
- San Jose City College in San Jose, 4 miles away, offers Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Technology Associate in Science and Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Technology Certificate of Achievement Level 2.
- CET-San Jose in San Jose, 5 miles away, offers HVAC Technician & Green Technology.
- EPA 608: 4 of these 8 schools name EPA 608 preparation or testing.
- HVAC pay in the San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA metro area: a median $82,050 a year (BLS, May 2025).
Best HVAC Schools in Santa Clara for What You Need
HVAC Schools in Santa Clara and the Surrounding Area
Institute for Business and Technology
Offers a diploma in HVAC
- HVAC awards offered
- 1 certificates and degrees
- HVAC awards
- 173 conferred 2024–25
The only campus on this list inside Santa Clara; the most HVAC awards nearby (173 in 2024–25).
Covers EPA 608 · Refrigeration · Electrical · Heating · Air conditioning · Commercial
San Jose City College
Offers an associate degree and 2 certificates in HVAC
- Tuition / year
- $1,366 in-state, 2024–25
- HVAC awards
- 62 conferred 2024–25
A degree option on top of certificates.
Covers EPA 608 · Refrigeration · Electrical · Heating · Air conditioning · Controls
CET-San Jose
Offers one other award in HVAC
- HVAC awards offered
- 1 certificates and degrees
- HVAC awards
- 33 conferred 2024–25
Covers EPA 608 · Refrigeration · Electrical · Heating · Ductwork
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
A degree option on top of certificates.
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
A degree option on top of certificates.
Covers Refrigeration · Heating · Air conditioning · Controls · Commercial
San Joaquin Delta College
Offers an associate degree and 2 certificates in HVAC
- Tuition / year
- $1,180 in-state, 2024–25
- HVAC awards
- 12 conferred 2024–25
The lowest tuition of the 6 HVAC schools here ($1,180); a degree option on top of certificates.
Covers EPA 608 · Refrigeration · Heating · 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 Santa Clara.
Institute for Business and Technology and 7 More Programs Within 60 Miles
| School | Distance | Tuition and fees | HVAC awards | Graduation rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Institute for Business and TechnologySan Jose | in town | 173 | ||
| San Jose City CollegeSan Jose | 4 miles | $1,366 | 62 | 34% |
| CET-San JoseSan Jose | 5 miles | 33 | ||
| Foothill CollegeLos Altos Hills | 9 miles | $1,565 | 106 | 56% |
| Laney CollegeOakland | 34 miles | $1,258 | 29 | 31% |
| Gavilan CollegeGilroy | 35 miles | $1,508 | 22 | 42% |
| City College of San FranciscoSan Francisco | 36 miles | $1,696 | 15 | 40% |
| San Joaquin Delta CollegeStockton | 56 miles | $1,180 | 12 | 35% |
HVAC programs near Santa Clara, 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 Santa Clara: When Programs Meet
- Institute for Business and TechnologyThe diploma is delivered on site, full time, and can be completed in as few as 10.5 months.
- San Jose City CollegeStudents can add work experience credit (AIRC 138).
- CET-San JoseStudents 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: Foothill College (9 miles) and City College of San Francisco (36 miles). See each profile for times.
Certificate or Associate Degree Near Santa Clara?
Institute for Business and Technology, CET-San Jose and Gavilan College offer certificates or diplomas only; San Jose City College, Foothill College and Laney College also award an HVAC associate degree, which adds general education and usually takes about two years full time.
- Institute for Business and TechnologyCommercial Refrigeration, Heating & Air Conditioning Diploma: as few as 10.5 months
- San Jose City CollegeAir Conditioning and Refrigeration Technology Associate in Science: 60-60.5 units (31.5-32 major units); Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Technology Certificate of Achievement Level 2: 20.5 units; Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Technology Certificate of Achievement Level 3: 32 units
- CET-San JoseHVAC Technician & Green Technology: 900 hours (8-9 months at 30 hours a week)
HVAC Technician Pay Around Santa Clara
Annual wages for HVAC mechanics and installers in the San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA metro area (1,740 jobs); U.S. median $61,010. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025.
Questions About HVAC Schools in Santa Clara
How Much Do HVAC Schools in Santa Clara Cost?
San Joaquin Delta College charges the least, $1,180 a year full time in 2024–25 (in-state); City College of San Francisco charges $1,696. Tools and books cost extra (San Joaquin Delta College budgets $2,000 for books and supplies).
How Long Does HVAC School Take Near Santa Clara?
It depends on the credential. At Institute for Business and Technology, the closest program that publishes lengths, Commercial Refrigeration, Heating & Air Conditioning Diploma runs as few as 10.5 months. 5 of the 8 schools near Santa Clara also offer an associate degree, which usually takes about two years full time.
How Much Do HVAC Technicians Make in Santa Clara?
HVAC mechanics and installers in the San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA metro area earn a median $82,050 a year (BLS, May 2025), 34% above the U.S. median of $61,010. The top 10% earn more than $136,650.
What Is the Best HVAC School Near Santa Clara?
Foothill College scores highest on program size, cost and completion among the HVAC schools within 60 miles, with 106 HVAC awards in 2024–25. San Jose City College ranks second.
Where Can You Get EPA 608 Certified Near Santa Clara?
Institute for Business and Technology, San Jose City College and CET-San Jose name EPA 608 preparation or testing on their HVAC program pages.
HVAC Programs Near Santa Clara but Farther Out
- UEI College-Stockton, Stockton57 miles
- DeHart Technical School, Modesto58 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.