Torrance, CaliforniaPublic, 2-Year

El Camino Community College District HVAC Program

An associate degree and 9 certificates, $1,144 a year in tuition and fees, with training in EPA 608 refrigerant certification, refrigeration systems, electrical and wiring.

What Does El Camino Community College District Offer HVAC Students?

El Camino Community College District in Torrance, California offers an associate degree and 9 certificates in HVAC through its Air Conditioning and Refrigeration program. Tuition and fees for 2024–25 were $1,144 for a full-time year (in-state). The school awarded 91 HVAC credentials in 2024–25. Best for earning an HVAC degree, not just a certificate.

HVAC Degree and Certificates at El Camino Community College District

AwardTypeLength
Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Associate of ScienceAssociate62 units (ECC GE pattern) or 72 units (Cal-GETC pattern); 7 terms in program map
Air Conditioning Certificate of AchievementCertificate
Electric Controls Certificate of AchievementCertificate
HVAC and Refrigeration Certificate of AchievementCertificate
Refrigeration Certificate of AchievementCertificate13 units
Automation Fundamentals Certificate of AccomplishmentCertificate7 units
Energy Efficiency Certificate of AccomplishmentCertificate14 units
Heating Technologies Certificate of AccomplishmentCertificate
HVACR Electrical Fundamentals Certificate of AccomplishmentCertificate10 units
Refrigeration Fundamentals Certificate of AccomplishmentCertificate8 units

As listed on El Camino Community College District's HVAC program page, reviewed September 26, 2026.

El Camino Community College District HVAC Tuition: $1,144 a Year

Tuition and fees
$1,144
in-state, 2024–25
Out of state
$7,630
2024–25
Books and supplies
$2,136
2024–25 estimate
HVAC certificates awarded
77
2024–25
HVAC associate degrees
14
2024–25
Graduation rate
42%
school-wide, Fall 2021 cohort
Students enrolled
21,664
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.

From Residential to Commercial Systems: What El Camino Community College District Teaches

Short certificates of accomplishment in automation, energy efficiency and heating technologies let students add specialties, and the program page says a certificate can be completed in under six months.

  • EPA 608 refrigerant certification
  • Refrigeration systemscommercial refrigeration
  • Electrical and wiringwiring diagrams
  • Heating, furnaces and boilers
  • Air conditioning
  • Controls and building automationDDC controls
  • Commercial and industrial systemscommercial refrigeration

Certification Testing at El Camino Community College District

Testing. The degree prepares students for EPA certification, and the Refrigeration certificate prepares students for EPA and NATE certifications.

Where You'll Train: El Camino College

  • El Camino College

Check start dates, admission steps and the current course list on El Camino Community College District's own site.

Visit elcamino.edu

What 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 11 Miles of Torrance

Straight-line distance between campuses. All HVAC schools in California · HVAC schools in Torrance

El Camino Community College District HVAC FAQ

Does El Camino Community College District Have an HVAC Program?

Yes. El Camino Community College District offers an associate degree and 9 certificates in HVAC at El Camino College. Training covers EPA 608 refrigerant certification, refrigeration systems, electrical and wiring, heating, furnaces and boilers, air conditioning.

How Much Does HVAC School Cost at El Camino Community College District?

El Camino Community College District's 2024–25 tuition and fees were $1,144 for a full-time year (in-state) and $7,630 out of state, with books and supplies estimated at $2,136. HVAC students also buy hand tools and meters.

How Long Is the HVAC Program at El Camino Community College District?

Air 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.

Can You Get EPA 608 Certified at El Camino Community College District?

EPA 608.

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).

Latest Posts From the Blog

All posts

More on HVAC Training in California

Sources

  1. elcamino.edu: Air Conditioning and Refrigeration program page, reviewed September 26, 2026
  2. NCES College Navigator, IPEDS unit 113980
  3. BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025
  4. EPA Section 608 technician certification requirements