Which HVAC Schools in Torrance Should You Compare?
- El Camino Community College District in Torrance, 4 miles away, offers Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Associate of Science and Air Conditioning Certificate of Achievement.
- UEI College-Gardena in Gardena, 6 miles away, offers Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning Diploma.
- Compton College in Compton, 9 miles away, offers Air Conditioning and Refrigeration A.S. and Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) and Refrigeration Certificate of Achievement.
- EPA 608: 7 of these 8 schools name EPA 608 preparation or testing.
- HVAC pay in California: a median $72,560 a year (BLS, May 2025).
Compare HVAC Programs Near Torrance
| School | Distance | Tuition and fees | HVAC awards | Graduation rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| El Camino Community College DistrictTorrance | 4 miles | $1,144 | 91 | 42% |
| UEI College-GardenaGardena | 6 miles | 87 | ||
| Compton CollegeCompton | 9 miles | $1,142 | 5 | 27% |
| American College of Healthcare and Technology in Huntington Park, CAHuntington Park | 13 miles | 9 | ||
| UEI College-Huntington ParkHuntington Park | 13 miles | 137 | ||
| Los Angeles Trade Technical CollegeLos Angeles | 15 miles | $1,238 | 99 | 35% |
| Cypress CollegeCypress | 19 miles | $1,150 | 70 | 37% |
| UEI College-Garden GroveGarden Grove | 24 miles | 174 |
HVAC programs near Torrance, 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 Torrance for What You Need
HVAC Schools in Torrance: El Camino Community College District and 7 Others
El Camino Community College District
Offers an associate degree and 9 certificates in HVAC
- Tuition / year
- $1,144 in-state, 2024–25
- HVAC awards
- 91 conferred 2024–25
The closest campus to Torrance; a degree option on top of certificates.
Covers EPA 608 · Refrigeration · Electrical · Heating · Air conditioning · Controls
UEI College-Garden Grove
Offers a diploma in HVAC
- HVAC awards offered
- 1 certificates and degrees
- HVAC awards
- 174 conferred 2024–25
The most HVAC awards nearby (174 in 2024–25); some coursework online.
Covers EPA 608 · Refrigeration · Electrical · Heating · Air conditioning · Heat pumps
UEI College-Huntington Park
Offers a diploma in HVAC
- HVAC awards offered
- 1 certificates and degrees
- HVAC awards
- 137 conferred 2024–25
Some coursework online.
Covers EPA 608 · Refrigeration · Electrical · Heating · Air conditioning · Heat pumps
Los Angeles Trade Technical College
Offers an associate degree and a certificate in HVAC
- Tuition / year
- $1,238 in-state, 2024–25
- HVAC awards
- 99 conferred 2024–25
A degree option on top of certificates.
Covers EPA 608 · Refrigeration · Electrical · Heating · Air conditioning · Controls
Cypress College
Offers 2 associate degrees and 9 certificates in HVAC
- Tuition / year
- $1,150 in-state, 2024–25
- HVAC awards
- 70 conferred 2024–25
A degree option on top of certificates.
Covers Refrigeration · Electrical · Heat pumps · Controls · Commercial
Compton College
Offers an associate degree and 4 certificates in HVAC
- Tuition / year
- $1,142 in-state, 2024–25
- HVAC awards
- 5 conferred 2024–25
The lowest tuition of the 4 HVAC schools here ($1,142); a degree option on top of certificates.
Covers EPA 608 · Refrigeration · Electrical · Heating · Air conditioning · Controls
Tuition and HVAC awards: NCES College Navigator. Programs and topics: each school's own HVAC page, reviewed September 2026. Distances are straight-line from Torrance.
HVAC Classes in Torrance: When Programs Meet
- UEI College-GardenaThe 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.
- American College of Healthcare and Technology in Huntington Park, CAThe diploma takes about 9 months (36 weeks) with monthly starts and is delivered in a blended format that combines synchronous and asynchronous online classes with on-campus labs.
- UEI College-Huntington ParkThe 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.
Also publishing schedules: UEI College-Garden Grove (24 miles). See each profile for times.
Certificate or Associate Degree Near Torrance?
UEI College-Gardena, American College of Healthcare and Technology and UEI College-Huntington Park offer certificates or diplomas only; El Camino Community College District, Compton College and Los Angeles Trade Technical College also award an HVAC associate degree, which adds general education and usually takes about two years full time.
- El Camino Community College DistrictAir Conditioning and Refrigeration Associate of Science: 62 units (ECC GE pattern) or 72 units (Cal-GETC pattern); 7 terms in program map; Refrigeration Certificate of Achievement: 13 units; Automation Fundamentals Certificate of Accomplishment: 7 units
- UEI College-GardenaHeating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning Diploma: 720 clock hours / 36 semester credit units (36 instructional weeks; 40 weeks normal time)
- Compton CollegeAir Conditioning and Refrigeration A.S.: 36 major units; Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) and Refrigeration Certificate of Achievement: 39 units; Air Conditioning Certificate of Achievement: 17 units
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 Torrance
How Much Do HVAC Schools in Torrance Cost?
Compton College charges the least, $1,142 a year full time in 2024–25 (in-state); Los Angeles Trade Technical College charges $1,238. Tools and books cost extra (Compton College budgets $1,062 for books and supplies).
How Long Does HVAC School Take Near Torrance?
It depends on the credential. At El Camino Community College District, the closest program that publishes lengths, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Associate of Science runs 62 units (ECC GE pattern) or 72 units (Cal-GETC pattern); 7 terms in program map. 4 of the 8 schools near Torrance also offer an associate degree, which usually takes about two years full time.
How Much Do HVAC Technicians Make in Torrance?
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 Torrance?
El Camino Community College District scores highest on program size, cost and completion among the HVAC schools within 60 miles, with 91 HVAC awards in 2024–25. UEI College-Garden Grove ranks second.
Where Can You Get EPA 608 Certified Near Torrance?
El Camino Community College District, UEI College-Gardena and Compton College name EPA 608 preparation or testing on their HVAC program pages.
HVAC Programs Near Torrance but Farther Out
- Brownson Technical School, Anaheim26 miles
- Capstone College, Pasadena26 miles
- Hacienda La Puente Adult Education, La Puente26 miles
- UEI College-Reseda, Reseda27 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.