Which HVAC Schools in Waterloo Should You Compare?
- Hawkeye Community College in Waterloo, 4 miles away, offers Heating and Air Conditioning Diploma and HVAC Apprenticeship.
- Northeast Iowa Community College in Peosta, 53 miles away, offers Heating and Air Conditioning Diploma.
- Kirkwood Community College in Cedar Rapids, 54 miles away, offers HVAC Installer Diploma.
- EPA 608: 2 of these 3 schools name EPA 608 preparation or testing.
- HVAC pay in the Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA metro area: a median $60,400 a year (BLS, May 2025).
Compare HVAC Programs Near Waterloo
| School | Distance | Tuition and fees | HVAC awards | Graduation rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hawkeye Community CollegeWaterloo | 4 miles | $6,525 | 11 | 43% |
| Northeast Iowa Community CollegePeosta | 53 miles | $6,780 | 7 | 51% |
| Kirkwood Community CollegeCedar Rapids | 54 miles | $6,176 | 12 | 43% |
HVAC programs near Waterloo, 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.
Best HVAC Schools in Waterloo for What You Need
HVAC Schools in Waterloo: Kirkwood Community College and 2 Others
Kirkwood Community College
Offers a diploma in HVAC
- Tuition / year
- $6,176 in-state, 2024–25
- HVAC awards
- 12 conferred 2024–25
The lowest tuition of the 3 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
The closest campus to Waterloo; some coursework online.
Covers EPA 608 · Electrical · Heating · Air conditioning · Controls · Ductwork
Northeast Iowa Community College
Offers a diploma in HVAC
- Tuition / year
- $6,780 in-state, 2024–25
- HVAC awards
- 7 conferred 2024–25
Covers EPA 608 · Electrical · Heating · Air conditioning · Heat pumps · 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 Waterloo.
HVAC Classes in Waterloo: When Programs Meet
- 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.
- Northeast Iowa Community CollegeThe course sequence starts in the fall and runs fall, spring and summer terms, ending with a practicum; students may enroll in any term.
- 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.
How Long HVAC Programs Near Waterloo Take
- Hawkeye Community CollegeHeating and Air Conditioning Diploma: 44 credits (1 year); HVAC Apprenticeship: 4 levels; 144 classroom training hours per level
- Northeast Iowa Community CollegeHeating and Air Conditioning Diploma: 46 credits (12 months)
- Kirkwood Community CollegeHVAC Installer Diploma: 34.5 credit hours (one year)
HVAC Technician Pay Around Waterloo
Annual wages for HVAC mechanics and installers in the Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA metro area (260 jobs); U.S. median $61,010. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025.
Questions About HVAC Schools in Waterloo
How Much Do HVAC Schools in Waterloo Cost?
Kirkwood Community College charges the least, $6,176 a year full time in 2024–25 (in-state); Northeast Iowa Community College charges $6,780. Tools and books cost extra (Kirkwood Community College budgets $1,000 for books and supplies).
How Long Does HVAC School Take Near Waterloo?
It depends on the credential. At Hawkeye Community College, the closest program that publishes lengths, Heating and Air Conditioning Diploma runs 44 credits (1 year). Certificates and diplomas are the usual credentials here.
How Much Do HVAC Technicians Make in Waterloo?
HVAC mechanics and installers in the Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA metro area earn a median $60,400 a year (BLS, May 2025), close to the U.S. median of $61,010. The top 10% earn more than $98,390.
What Is the Best HVAC School Near Waterloo?
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 Waterloo?
Hawkeye Community College and Northeast Iowa Community College name EPA 608 preparation or testing on their HVAC program pages.
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Guides, Careers and Pay
Sources
- Official HVAC program pages of the 3 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.