Which HVAC Schools in Cedar Rapids Should You Compare?
- Kirkwood Community College in Cedar Rapids, 4 miles away, offers HVAC Installer Diploma.
- Hawkeye Community College in Waterloo, 46 miles away, offers Heating and Air Conditioning Diploma and HVAC Apprenticeship.
- EPA 608: 1 of these 2 schools name EPA 608 preparation or testing.
- HVAC pay in the Cedar Rapids, IA metro area: a median $60,680 a year (BLS, May 2025).
Compare HVAC Programs Near Cedar Rapids
| School | Distance | Tuition and fees | HVAC awards | Graduation rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kirkwood Community CollegeCedar Rapids | 4 miles | $6,176 | 12 | 43% |
| Hawkeye Community CollegeWaterloo | 46 miles | $6,525 | 11 | 43% |
HVAC programs near Cedar Rapids, 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 Schools in Cedar Rapids: Kirkwood Community College and One Other
Kirkwood Community College
Offers a diploma in HVAC
- Tuition / year
- $6,176 in-state, 2024–25
- HVAC awards
- 12 conferred 2024–25
The closest campus to Cedar Rapids; the lowest tuition of the 2 HVAC schools here ($6,176); the most HVAC awards nearby (12 in 2024–25).
Covers Electrical · Heating · Air conditioning
Hawkeye Community College
Offers a diploma and one other award in HVAC
- Tuition / year
- $6,525 in-state, 2024–25
- HVAC awards
- 11 conferred 2024–25
Some coursework online.
Covers EPA 608 · Electrical · Heating · Air conditioning · Controls · 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 Cedar Rapids.
HVAC Classes in Cedar Rapids: When Programs Meet
- Kirkwood Community CollegeThe one-year program starts in the fall, with 17 credits in fall and 17.5 in spring; admission requires a program conference.
- Hawkeye Community CollegeThe diploma is daytime and hybrid: lectures, readings and quizzes are online and labs are scheduled in person. It uses a competency-based format where students advance at their own pace. The apprenticeship offers face-to-face and online options.
How Long HVAC Programs Near Cedar Rapids Take
- Kirkwood Community CollegeHVAC Installer Diploma: 34.5 credit hours (one year)
- Hawkeye Community CollegeHeating and Air Conditioning Diploma: 44 credits (1 year); HVAC Apprenticeship: 4 levels; 144 classroom training hours per level
HVAC Technician Pay Around Cedar Rapids
Annual wages for HVAC mechanics and installers in the Cedar Rapids, IA metro area (380 jobs); U.S. median $61,010. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025.
Questions About HVAC Schools in Cedar Rapids
How Much Do HVAC Schools in Cedar Rapids Cost?
Kirkwood Community College charges the least, $6,176 a year full time in 2024–25 (in-state); Hawkeye Community College charges $6,525. Tools and books cost extra (Kirkwood Community College budgets $1,000 for books and supplies).
How Long Does HVAC School Take Near Cedar Rapids?
It depends on the credential. At Kirkwood Community College, the closest program that publishes lengths, HVAC Installer Diploma runs 34.5 credit hours (one year). Certificates and diplomas are the usual credentials here.
How Much Do HVAC Technicians Make in Cedar Rapids?
HVAC mechanics and installers in the Cedar Rapids, IA metro area earn a median $60,680 a year (BLS, May 2025), close to the U.S. median of $61,010. The top 10% earn more than $87,900.
What Is the Best HVAC School Near Cedar Rapids?
Kirkwood Community College scores highest on program size, cost and completion among the HVAC schools within 60 miles, with 12 HVAC awards in 2024–25. Hawkeye Community College ranks second.
Where Can You Get EPA 608 Certified Near Cedar Rapids?
Hawkeye Community College names EPA 608 preparation or testing on its HVAC program page.
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Sources
- Official HVAC program pages of the 2 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.