What Does William Rainey Harper College Offer HVAC Students?
William Rainey Harper College in Palatine, Illinois offers an associate degree and 5 certificates in HVAC through its Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration program. Tuition and fees for 2024–25 were $3,894 for a full-time year (in-district). The school awarded 55 HVAC credentials in 2024–25. Best for earning an HVAC degree, not just a certificate.
HVAC Degree and Certificates at William Rainey Harper College
| Award | Type | Length |
|---|---|---|
| Refrigeration/Air Conditioning Technology AAS | Associate | 61 credit hours |
| Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Service Certificate | Certificate | 29 credit hours |
| Heating Service Certificate | Certificate | 22 credit hours |
| Residential Heating, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Certificate | Certificate | 19 credit hours |
| Residential Comfort Systems Certificate | Certificate | 19 credit hours |
| Refrigeration Service Certificate | Certificate | 19 credit hours |
As listed on William Rainey Harper College's HVAC program page, reviewed September 26, 2026.
William Rainey Harper College HVAC Tuition: $3,894 a Year
- Tuition and fees
- $3,894 in-district, 2024–25
- Out of state
- $11,874 2024–25
- Books and supplies
- $1,100 2024–25 estimate
- HVAC certificates awarded
- 52 2024–25
- HVAC associate degrees
- 3 2024–25
- Graduation rate
- 48% school-wide, Fall 2021 cohort
- Students enrolled
- 13,988 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 William Rainey Harper College Teaches
Students train in an HVAC/R Open Lab, and the college describes the program as accredited.
- Refrigeration systemsrefrigeration system design
- Electrical and wiring
- Heating, furnaces and boilerscommercial heating
- Air conditioningcommercial air conditioning
- Controls and building automationpneumatic controls
- Ductwork, airflow and sheet metal
- Commercial and industrial systemscommercial air conditioning, commercial heating
Check start dates, admission steps and the current course list on William Rainey Harper College's own site.
Visit harpercollege.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 17 Miles of Palatine
- Chicago Professional Center9 mi
- Oakton College10 mi · $3,985/yr
- Elgin Community College14 mi · $3,252/yr
- College of DuPage17 mi · $4,560/yr
- Triton College17 mi · $5,070/yr
Straight-line distance between campuses. All HVAC schools in Illinois · HVAC schools in Palatine
William Rainey Harper College HVAC FAQ
Does William Rainey Harper College Have an HVAC Program?
Yes. William Rainey Harper College offers an associate degree and 5 certificates in HVAC. Training covers refrigeration systems, electrical and wiring, heating, furnaces and boilers, air conditioning, controls and building automation.
How Much Does HVAC School Cost at William Rainey Harper College?
William Rainey Harper College's 2024–25 tuition and fees were $3,894 for a full-time year (in-district) and $11,874 out of state, with books and supplies estimated at $1,100. HVAC students also buy hand tools and meters.
How Long Is the HVAC Program at William Rainey Harper College?
Refrigeration/Air Conditioning Technology AAS: 61 credit hours. Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Service Certificate: 29 credit hours. Heating Service Certificate: 22 credit hours.
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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