Palatine HVAC Schools

HVAC Schools in Palatine, IL

William Rainey Harper College trains HVAC technicians in Palatine, and 7 more HVAC schools sit within 60 miles.

An HVAC technician kneeling at a rooftop condenser, reading a manifold gauge set connected by refrigerant hoses
Photo: José Andrés Pacheco Cortes / Pexels

Is There an HVAC School in Palatine?

  • William Rainey Harper College in Palatine, 3 miles away, offers Refrigeration/Air Conditioning Technology AAS and Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Service Certificate.
  • Chicago Professional Center in Prospect Heights, 7 miles away, offers Residential & Commercial HVAC Technician/Electrician and Electrician / HVAC Technician / Maintenance PLC.
  • Oakton College in Des Plaines, 9 miles away, offers Air Conditioning, Heating and Refrigeration Technology A.A.S. and Residential Comfort Control 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 Palatine for What You Need

HVAC Schools in Palatine and the Surrounding Area

Palatine · 3 mi from PalatinePublic, 2-year

William Rainey Harper College

Offers an associate degree and 5 certificates in HVAC

  • Associate Degree
Tuition / year
$3,894
in-district, 2024–25
HVAC awards
55
conferred 2024–25

The closest campus to Palatine; a degree option on top of certificates.

Covers Refrigeration · Electrical · Heating · Air conditioning · Controls · Ductwork

Prospect Heights · 7 mi from PalatinePrivate for-profit, under 2-year

Chicago Professional Center

Offers 2 other awards in HVAC

  • Evening Classes
  • EPA 608 Prep
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

Des Plaines · 9 mi from PalatinePublic, 2-year

Oakton College

Offers an associate degree and 5 certificates in HVAC

  • EPA 608 Prep
  • Associate Degree
Tuition / year
$3,985
in-district, 2024–25
HVAC awards
28
conferred 2024–25

A degree option on top of certificates.

Covers EPA 608 · Refrigeration · Heating · Air conditioning

Elgin · 16 mi from PalatinePublic, 2-year

Elgin Community College

Offers an associate degree and 6 certificates in HVAC

  • Lowest Tuition in IL
  • EPA 608 Prep
Tuition / year
$3,252
in-district, 2024–25
HVAC awards
111
conferred 2024–25

The lowest tuition of the 7 HVAC schools here ($3,252); a degree option on top of certificates.

Covers EPA 608 · Refrigeration · Heating · Heat pumps · Controls · Ductwork

Grayslake · 17 mi from PalatinePublic, 2-year

College of Lake County

Offers an associate degree and 6 certificates in HVAC

  • EPA 608 Prep
  • Associate Degree
Tuition / year
$4,788
in-district, 2024–25
HVAC awards
250
conferred 2024–25

The most HVAC awards nearby (250 in 2024–25); a degree option on top of certificates.

Covers EPA 608 · Refrigeration · Electrical · Heating · Air conditioning · Commercial

Tuition and HVAC awards: NCES College Navigator. Programs and topics: each school's own HVAC page, reviewed September 2026. Distances are straight-line from Palatine.

William Rainey Harper College and 7 More Programs Within 60 Miles

SchoolDistanceTuition and feesHVAC awardsGraduation rate
William Rainey Harper CollegePalatine3 miles$3,8945548%
Chicago Professional CenterProspect Heights7 miles180
Oakton CollegeDes Plaines9 miles$3,9852837%
Elgin Community CollegeElgin16 miles$3,25211141%
College of Lake CountyGrayslake17 miles$4,78825037%
Triton CollegeRiver Grove17 miles$5,070529%
College of DuPageGlen Ellyn19 miles$4,5607325%
Morton CollegeCicero25 miles$5,502631%

HVAC programs near Palatine, 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 Palatine: 2 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.
  • College of Lake CountyA fast-track option lets students complete two stackable certificates in about four months, and two more in a second semester; certificate credits apply to the A.A.S.
  • Triton CollegeCourses run in eight-week accelerated formats.

Also publishing schedules: College of DuPage (19 miles). See each profile for times.

Certificate or Associate Degree Near Palatine?

Chicago Professional Center and Triton College offer certificates or diplomas only; William Rainey Harper College, Oakton College and Elgin Community College also award an HVAC associate degree, which adds general education and usually takes about two years full time.

  • William Rainey Harper CollegeRefrigeration/Air Conditioning Technology AAS: 61 credit hours; Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Service Certificate: 29 credit hours; Heating Service Certificate: 22 credit hours
  • Chicago Professional CenterResidential & Commercial HVAC Technician/Electrician: 4.5 months; Electrician / HVAC Technician / Maintenance PLC: 6 months
  • 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

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 Palatine

How Much Do HVAC Schools in Palatine Cost?

Elgin Community College charges the least, $3,252 a year full time in 2024–25 (in-district); Morton College charges $5,502. Tools and books cost extra (Elgin Community College budgets $1,500 for books and supplies).

How Long Does HVAC School Take Near Palatine?

It depends on the credential. At William Rainey Harper College, the closest program that publishes lengths, Refrigeration/Air Conditioning Technology AAS runs 61 credit hours. 6 of the 8 schools near Palatine also offer an associate degree, which usually takes about two years full time.

How Much Do HVAC Technicians Make in Palatine?

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 Palatine?

Elgin Community College scores highest on program size, cost and completion among the HVAC schools within 60 miles, with 111 HVAC awards in 2024–25. College of Lake County ranks second.

Where Can You Get EPA 608 Certified Near Palatine?

Chicago Professional Center, Oakton College and Elgin Community College name EPA 608 preparation or testing on their HVAC program pages.

Are There Night HVAC Classes Near Palatine?

Yes. Chicago Professional Center (7 miles) and College of DuPage (19 miles) publish evening or weekend classes. Each school profile has its full schedule.

HVAC Programs Near Palatine but Farther Out

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Ohio · Cost

How Much Does HVAC School Cost in Ohio?

Ohio HVAC training costs $4,680 to $10,716 at adult career centers, $3,675 to $5,870 a year at colleges, and $11,534 to $16,699 a year at private schools.

Guides, Careers and Pay

Sources

  1. Official HVAC program pages of the 8 schools above (each profile links to its page), reviewed September 2026.
  2. U.S. Department of Education, College Navigator (IPEDS).
  3. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025.