Is There an HVAC School in Des Plaines?
- Oakton College in Des Plaines, 2 miles away, offers Air Conditioning, Heating and Refrigeration Technology A.A.S. and Residential Comfort Control Certificate.
- Chicago Professional Center in Prospect Heights, 5 miles away, offers Residential & Commercial HVAC Technician/Electrician and Electrician / HVAC Technician / Maintenance PLC.
- Triton College in River Grove, 9 miles away, offers HVAC Installation Technician Certificate and HVAC Installation Assistant Certificate.
- EPA 608: 6 of these 8 schools name EPA 608 preparation or testing.
- HVAC pay in Illinois: a median $77,410 a year (BLS, May 2025).
Best HVAC Schools in Des Plaines for What You Need
HVAC Schools in Des Plaines and the Surrounding Area
Oakton College
Offers an associate degree and 5 certificates in HVAC
- Tuition / year
- $3,985 in-district, 2024–25
- HVAC awards
- 28 conferred 2024–25
The closest campus to Des Plaines; a degree option on top of certificates.
Covers EPA 608 · Refrigeration · Heating · Air conditioning
Chicago Professional Center
Offers 2 other awards in HVAC
- HVAC awards offered
- 2 certificates and degrees
- HVAC awards
- 180 conferred 2024–25
Evening or weekend classes.
Covers EPA 608 · Electrical · Heating · Air conditioning · Commercial
Triton College
Offers 2 certificates in HVAC
- Tuition / year
- $5,070 in-district, 2024–25
- HVAC awards
- 5 conferred 2024–25
Covers EPA 608 · Refrigeration · Controls · Commercial
William Rainey Harper College
Offers an associate degree and 5 certificates in HVAC
- Tuition / year
- $3,894 in-district, 2024–25
- HVAC awards
- 55 conferred 2024–25
The lowest tuition of the 5 HVAC schools here ($3,894); a degree option on top of certificates.
Covers Refrigeration · Electrical · Heating · Air conditioning · Controls · Ductwork
College of DuPage
Offers 3 associate degrees and 5 certificates in HVAC
- Tuition / year
- $4,560 in-district, 2024–25
- HVAC awards
- 73 conferred 2024–25
Evening or weekend classes; some coursework online; a degree option on top of certificates.
Covers Refrigeration · Electrical · Heating · Air conditioning · Controls
ETI School of Skilled Trades
Offers one other award in HVAC
- HVAC awards offered
- 1 certificates and degrees
- HVAC awards
- 268 conferred 2024–25
The most HVAC awards nearby (268 in 2024–25); evening or weekend classes.
Covers EPA 608 · Refrigeration · Electrical · Heating · Ductwork
Tuition and HVAC awards: NCES College Navigator. Programs and topics: each school's own HVAC page, reviewed September 2026. Distances are straight-line from Des Plaines.
Oakton College and 7 More Programs Within 60 Miles
| School | Distance | Tuition and fees | HVAC awards | Graduation rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oakton CollegeDes Plaines | 2 miles | $3,985 | 28 | 37% |
| Chicago Professional CenterProspect Heights | 5 miles | 180 | ||
| Triton CollegeRiver Grove | 9 miles | $5,070 | 5 | 29% |
| William Rainey Harper CollegePalatine | 9 miles | $3,894 | 55 | 48% |
| College of DuPageGlen Ellyn | 16 miles | $4,560 | 73 | 25% |
| Morton CollegeCicero | 16 miles | $5,502 | 6 | 31% |
| HVAC Technical InstituteChicago | 18 miles | 155 | ||
| ETI School of Skilled TradesWillowbrook | 20 miles | 268 |
HVAC programs near Des Plaines, 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 Des Plaines: 4 Schools Teach Evenings or Weekends
- Chicago Professional CenterMorning classes run 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and evening classes 6 to 10 p.m. The six-month Maintenance PLC course offers a paid internship of up to 20 hours a week for up to four weeks after completion.
- Triton CollegeCourses run in eight-week accelerated formats.
- College of DuPageIn-person and hybrid formats, with day, evening and online learning.
Also publishing schedules: HVAC Technical Institute (18 miles) and ETI School of Skilled Trades (20 miles). See each profile for times.
Certificate or Associate Degree Near Des Plaines?
Chicago Professional Center, Triton College and HVAC Technical Institute offer certificates or diplomas only; Oakton College, William Rainey Harper College and College of DuPage also award an HVAC associate degree, which adds general education and usually takes about two years full time.
- Oakton CollegeAir Conditioning, Heating and Refrigeration Technology A.A.S.: 60 credit hours (18 general education + 42 program); Residential Comfort Control Certificate: 32 credit hours; Commercial Buildings Energy Systems Certificate: 32 credit hours
- Chicago Professional CenterResidential & Commercial HVAC Technician/Electrician: 4.5 months; Electrician / HVAC Technician / Maintenance PLC: 6 months
- Triton CollegeHVAC Installation Technician Certificate: 24 credit hours; HVAC Installation Assistant Certificate: 12 credit hours
HVAC Technician Pay in Illinois
Annual wages for HVAC mechanics and installers in Illinois (9,740 jobs); U.S. median $61,010. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025.
Questions About HVAC Schools in Des Plaines
How Much Do HVAC Schools in Des Plaines Cost?
William Rainey Harper College charges the least, $3,894 a year full time in 2024–25 (in-district); Morton College charges $5,502. Tools and books cost extra (William Rainey Harper College budgets $1,100 for books and supplies).
How Long Does HVAC School Take Near Des Plaines?
It depends on the credential. At Oakton College, the closest program that publishes lengths, Air Conditioning, Heating and Refrigeration Technology A.A.S. runs 60 credit hours (18 general education + 42 program). 4 of the 8 schools near Des Plaines also offer an associate degree, which usually takes about two years full time.
How Much Do HVAC Technicians Make in Des Plaines?
HVAC mechanics and installers in Illinois earn a median $77,410 a year (BLS, May 2025), 27% above the U.S. median of $61,010. The top 10% earn more than $117,550.
What Is the Best HVAC School Near Des Plaines?
William Rainey Harper College scores highest on program size, cost and completion among the HVAC schools within 60 miles, with 55 HVAC awards in 2024–25. Oakton College ranks second.
Where Can You Get EPA 608 Certified Near Des Plaines?
Oakton College, Chicago Professional Center and Triton College name EPA 608 preparation or testing on their HVAC program pages.
Are There Night HVAC Classes Near Des Plaines?
Yes. Chicago Professional Center (5 miles), College of DuPage (16 miles) and HVAC Technical Institute (18 miles) publish evening or weekend classes. Each school profile has its full schedule.
HVAC Programs Near Des Plaines but Farther Out
- Elgin Community College, Elgin22 miles
- City Colleges of Chicago-Kennedy-King College, Chicago22 miles
- College of Lake County, Grayslake23 miles
- Moraine Valley Community College, Palos Hills24 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.