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
| Award | Type | Length |
|---|---|---|
| Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Associate of Science | Associate | 62 units (ECC GE pattern) or 72 units (Cal-GETC pattern); 7 terms in program map |
| Air Conditioning Certificate of Achievement | Certificate | |
| Electric Controls Certificate of Achievement | Certificate | |
| HVAC and Refrigeration Certificate of Achievement | Certificate | |
| Refrigeration Certificate of Achievement | Certificate | 13 units |
| Automation Fundamentals Certificate of Accomplishment | Certificate | 7 units |
| Energy Efficiency Certificate of Accomplishment | Certificate | 14 units |
| Heating Technologies Certificate of Accomplishment | Certificate | |
| HVACR Electrical Fundamentals Certificate of Accomplishment | Certificate | 10 units |
| Refrigeration Fundamentals Certificate of Accomplishment | Certificate | 8 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.eduWhat 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
- UEI College-Gardena3 mi
- Compton College7 mi · $1,142/yr
- UEI College-Huntington Park9 mi
- American College of Healthcare and Technology in Huntington Park, CA9 mi
- Los Angeles Trade Technical College11 mi · $1,238/yr
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
California · Cost
How Much Does HVAC School Cost in California?
California HVAC costs by school: community colleges charge $1,124 to $1,696 a year in state, while private schools price whole programs at $10,388 to $26,444.

California · Training
Where Can You Train for Commercial Refrigeration in California?
California schools that teach commercial refrigeration, from Merced College's Commercial Refrigeration AS to Mt. SAC's supermarket refrigeration degree.

California · Salary
How Much Do HVAC Technicians Make in California?
California HVAC technicians earn a median $72,560 a year ($34.88 an hour), per May 2025 BLS data. See pay by metro, from Napa and San Jose to Fresno.