What Does Oakton College Offer HVAC Students?
Oakton College in Des Plaines, Illinois offers an associate degree and 5 certificates in HVAC through its Air Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Technology (HVACR) program. Tuition and fees for 2024–25 were $3,985 for a full-time year (in-district). The school awarded 28 HVAC credentials in 2024–25. Best for earning an HVAC degree, not just a certificate.
HVAC Degree and Certificates at Oakton College
| Award | Type | Length |
|---|---|---|
| Air Conditioning, Heating and Refrigeration Technology A.A.S. | Associate | 60 credit hours (18 general education + 42 program) |
| Residential Comfort Control Certificate | Certificate | 32 credit hours |
| Commercial Buildings Energy Systems Certificate | Certificate | 32 credit hours |
| Residential Comfort Systems Installer Certificate | Certificate | 25 credit hours |
| Stationary Engineering License Preparation Certificate | Certificate | 16 credit hours |
| EPA Section 608 Certificate | Certificate | 5 credit hours |
As listed on Oakton College's HVAC program page, reviewed September 26, 2026.
Oakton College HVAC Tuition: $3,985 a Year
- Tuition and fees
- $3,985 in-district, 2024–25
- Out of state
- $12,462 2024–25
- Books and supplies
- $1,410 2024–25 estimate
- HVAC certificates awarded
- 23 2024–25
- HVAC associate degrees
- 5 2024–25
- Graduation rate
- 37% school-wide, Fall 2021 cohort
- Students enrolled
- 8,329 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.
What You'll Learn in Oakton College's HVAC Program
Short credentials include a five-credit EPA Section 608 certificate and a Stationary Engineering License Preparation certificate.
- EPA 608 refrigerant certification
- Refrigeration systems
- Heating, furnaces and boilers
- Air conditioning
Certification Testing at Oakton College
Testing. A five-credit EPA Section 608 certificate covers refrigerant handling, EPA rules and safety.
Check start dates, admission steps and the current course list on Oakton College's own site.
Visit oakton.eduWhat HVAC Technicians Earn in Illinois
Across Illinois, the median HVAC technician wage is $77,410 a year, from $46,690 at the 10th percentile to $117,550 at the 90th, with 9,740 HVAC mechanics and installers employed. The national median is $61,010. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025.
5 More HVAC Schools Within 18 Miles of Des Plaines
- Chicago Professional Center3 mi
- William Rainey Harper College10 mi · $3,894/yr
- Triton College10 mi · $5,070/yr
- College of DuPage18 mi · $4,560/yr
- Morton College18 mi · $5,502/yr
Straight-line distance between campuses. All HVAC schools in Illinois · HVAC schools in Des Plaines
Oakton College HVAC FAQ
Does Oakton College Have an HVAC Program?
Yes. Oakton College offers an associate degree and 5 certificates in HVAC. Training covers EPA 608 refrigerant certification, refrigeration systems, heating, furnaces and boilers, air conditioning.
How Much Does HVAC School Cost at Oakton College?
Oakton College's 2024–25 tuition and fees were $3,985 for a full-time year (in-district) and $12,462 out of state, with books and supplies estimated at $1,410. HVAC students also buy hand tools and meters.
How Long Is the HVAC Program at Oakton College?
Air 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.
Can You Get EPA 608 Certified at Oakton College?
A five-credit EPA Section 608 certificate covers refrigerant handling, EPA rules and safety.
How Much Do HVAC Technicians Make in Illinois?
The median HVAC technician wage in Illinois is $77,410 a year, and the middle half earn between $60,200 and $96,030 (BLS, May 2025).
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