Kentucky HVAC Schools · 2026

Best HVAC Schools in Kentucky

17 Kentucky schools awarded 1,818 HVAC credentials in 2022–23. Compare the 17 verified HVAC programs in Kentucky by credential, campus and cost.

A heat pump outdoor unit installed beside a modern house
Photo: alpha innotec / Pexels

What Are the Best HVAC Schools in Kentucky?

  • Gateway Community and Technical College (Florence) offers Air Conditioning Technology AAS (Air Conditioning Technology track) and Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning Mechanic Diploma.
  • Southcentral Kentucky Community and Technical College (Bowling Green) offers Air Conditioning Technology AAS (Air Conditioning Technology track) and Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning Mechanic Diploma.
  • Owensboro Community and Technical College (Owensboro) offers Air Conditioning Technology AAS (Air Conditioning Technology track) and Air Conditioning Technology AAS (Commercial Air Conditioning Technology track).
  • Tuition and fees run from $4,728 to $27,998 a year (2024–25).
  • 5 of 17 Kentucky programs name EPA 608 preparation or testing.
  • Kentucky HVAC technicians earn a median $58,620 a year (BLS, May 2025).

Gateway Community and Technical College Leads the Kentucky HVAC School Rankings

Tuition is the 2024–25 full-time rate (in-district where published) and graduation rate is school-wide (NCES College Navigator). HVAC awards are credentials conferred in HVAC. Blank cells mean no federal figure for that school.

How We Ranked Kentucky HVAC Schools

Each Kentucky school with a verified, current HVAC program and federal figures gets a percentile score among its in-state peers: program size (35%, HVAC awards conferred), cost (25%, lowest tuition and fees), completion (25%, school-wide graduation rate) and credential ladder (15%, both certificates and associate degrees awarded). Federal data can't measure instructors or lab equipment, so visit the lab before you enroll.

Best HVAC Schools in Kentucky by Goal

HVAC Programs in Kentucky Near Ashland, Bowling Green and Campbellsville

Lab days are easier to keep up with at a campus you can reach, so start with the city you can commute from. Each program is grouped with the nearest city guide within 45 miles.

HVAC Schools in Kentucky, School by School

FlorencePublic, 2-year

1Gateway Community and Technical College

Offers an associate degree, a diploma and 8 certificates in HVAC

  • Lowest Tuition in KY
  • Associate Degree
Tuition / year
$4,728
in-state, 2024–25
HVAC awards
77
conferred 2024–25

Covers Refrigeration · Electrical · Heating · Air conditioning

Bowling GreenPublic, 2-year

2Southcentral Kentucky Community and Technical College

Offers an associate degree, a diploma and 3 certificates in HVAC

  • Lowest Tuition in KY
  • Associate Degree
Tuition / year
$4,728
in-state, 2024–25
HVAC awards
81
conferred 2024–25

Covers Refrigeration · Heating · Air conditioning

OwensboroPublic, 2-year

3Owensboro Community and Technical College

Offers 3 associate degrees, a diploma and 5 certificates in HVAC

  • Lowest Tuition in KY
  • Associate Degree
Tuition / year
$4,728
in-state, 2024–25
HVAC awards
68
conferred 2024–25

Covers Refrigeration · Heating · Air conditioning · Controls · Commercial

ElizabethtownPublic, 2-year

4Elizabethtown Community and Technical College

Offers an associate degree, a diploma and 5 certificates in HVAC

  • Lowest Tuition in KY
  • Associate Degree
Tuition / year
$4,728
in-state, 2024–25
HVAC awards
48
conferred 2024–25

Covers Refrigeration · Heating · Air conditioning

MoreheadPublic, 2-year

5Maysville Community and Technical College

Offers an associate degree, a diploma and 7 certificates in HVAC

  • Lowest Tuition in KY
  • Associate Degree
Tuition / year
$4,728
in-state, 2024–25
HVAC awards
81
conferred 2024–25

Covers Refrigeration · Electrical · Heating · Air conditioning

LexingtonPublic, 2-year

6Bluegrass Community and Technical College

Offers 3 associate degrees, a diploma and 8 certificates in HVAC

  • Evening Classes
  • EPA 608 Prep
Tuition / year
$4,808
in-state, 2024–25
HVAC awards
85
conferred 2024–25

Covers EPA 608 · Refrigeration · Electrical · Heating · Air conditioning · Heat pumps

MadisonvillePublic, 2-year

7Madisonville Community College

Offers an associate degree, a diploma and 7 certificates in HVAC

  • Lowest Tuition in KY
  • Evening Classes
Tuition / year
$4,728
in-state, 2024–25
HVAC awards
32
conferred 2024–25

Covers EPA 608 · Electrical · Heating · Air conditioning · Ductwork

PrestonsburgPublic, 2-year

8Big Sandy Community and Technical College

Offers an associate degree, a diploma and 4 certificates in HVAC

  • Lowest Tuition in KY
  • Associate Degree
Tuition / year
$4,728
in-state, 2024–25
HVAC awards
50
conferred 2024–25

Covers Refrigeration · Heating · Air conditioning

HazardPublic, 2-year

9Hazard Community and Technical College

Offers a diploma and 4 certificates in HVAC

  • Lowest Tuition in KY
Tuition / year
$4,728
in-state, 2024–25
HVAC awards
68
conferred 2024–25

Covers Refrigeration · Heating · Air conditioning

PaducahPublic, 2-year

10West Kentucky Community and Technical College

Offers an associate degree, a diploma and 6 certificates in HVAC

  • Lowest Tuition in KY
  • Associate Degree
Tuition / year
$4,728
in-state, 2024–25
HVAC awards
41
conferred 2024–25

Covers Refrigeration · Heating · Air conditioning

AshlandPublic, 2-year

11Ashland Community and Technical College

Offers an associate degree, a diploma and 4 certificates in HVAC

  • Lowest Tuition in KY
  • Associate Degree
Tuition / year
$4,728
in-state, 2024–25
HVAC awards
37
conferred 2024–25

Covers Refrigeration · Electrical · Heating · Air conditioning · Commercial

SomersetPublic, 2-year

12Somerset Community College

Offers a diploma and 6 certificates in HVAC

  • Lowest Tuition in KY
  • EPA 608 Prep
Tuition / year
$4,728
in-state, 2024–25
HVAC awards
63
conferred 2024–25

Covers EPA 608 · Refrigeration · Electrical · Heating · Air conditioning · Heat pumps

LouisvillePublic, 2-year

13Jefferson Community and Technical College

Offers a diploma and 4 certificates in HVAC

  • Most HVAC Awards in KY
Tuition / year
$4,808
in-state, 2024–25
HVAC awards
97
conferred 2024–25

Covers Refrigeration · Heating · Air conditioning

HopkinsvillePublic, 2-year

14Hopkinsville Community College

Offers 5 certificates in HVAC

  • Lowest Tuition in KY
Tuition / year
$4,728
in-state, 2024–25
HVAC awards
25
conferred 2024–25

Covers Refrigeration · Heating · Air conditioning

CumberlandPublic, 2-year

15Southeast Kentucky Community &Amp; Technical College

Offers a diploma and 6 certificates in HVAC

  • Lowest Tuition in KY
Tuition / year
$4,728
in-state, 2024–25
HVAC awards
5
conferred 2024–25

Covers Refrigeration · Heating · Air conditioning

NewportPrivate for-profit, 2-year

16Interactive College of Technology-Newport

Offers one other award in HVAC

  • Evening Classes
  • EPA 608 Prep
Tuition / year
$10,970
all students, 2024–25
HVAC awards
43
conferred 2024–25

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

CampbellsvillePrivate nonprofit, 4-year

17Campbellsville University

Offers one other award in HVAC

  • EPA 608 Prep
Tuition / year
$27,998
all students, 2024–25
Campuses
2
teach HVAC

Covers EPA 608 · Refrigeration · Electrical · Heating · Ductwork

Tuition and HVAC awards: NCES College Navigator. Programs and topics: each school's own HVAC page, reviewed September 2026.

What HVAC School Costs in Kentucky: $4,728 to $27,998 a Year

Among the 17 Kentucky HVAC schools with federal figures, 2024–25 tuition and fees for a full-time year range from $4,728 at Ashland Community and Technical College to $27,998 at Campbellsville University.

SchoolCityTuition and fees, 2024–25
Ashland Community and Technical CollegeAshland$4,728 (in-state)
Big Sandy Community and Technical CollegePrestonsburg$4,728 (in-state)
Elizabethtown Community and Technical CollegeElizabethtown$4,728 (in-state)
Gateway Community and Technical CollegeFlorence$4,728 (in-state)
Hazard Community and Technical CollegeHazard$4,728 (in-state)
Hopkinsville Community CollegeHopkinsville$4,728 (in-state)

The six lowest rates. Source: NCES College Navigator.

Evening HVAC Classes in Kentucky: 3 Programs

Schedules as each school publishes them. Ask about start dates and evening sections before you apply.

  • Bluegrass Community and Technical CollegeDay and evening classes are offered. Entry-level courses start every 8 weeks, with program entry points in August, October, January and March. Some students finish the curriculum in 3 semesters; the evening program may take 5 semesters depending on course load.
  • Interactive College of Technology-NewportThe Newport campus offers day and evening classes, and students can train at their own pace. The program includes a 135-hour externship with a partner company.
  • Madisonville Community CollegeCoursework is online, with hands-on labs held in the evening.

HVAC Technician Salary in Kentucky: The Cincinnati Area Pays the Most

Metro areaMedian payTop 10% earn more thanHVAC jobs
Cincinnati$62,240$96,4002,950
Lexington–Fayette$60,280$81,180740
Owensboro$60,060$81,030160
Louisville/Jefferson County$58,930$78,7401,890
Paducah$56,610$78,11090
Elizabethtown$55,740$78,450160
Bowling Green$55,230$74,260230
Clarksville$50,480$71,790330
Huntington–Ashland$48,860$73,400360

Annual wages for HVAC mechanics and installers in Kentucky (5,100 jobs); U.S. median $61,010. Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025.

HVAC Schools by City in Kentucky

HVAC Schools in Nearby States

HVAC Schools in Kentucky: FAQ

How Much Does HVAC School Cost in Kentucky?

Full-time tuition and fees for 2024–25 at the Kentucky schools on this page run from $4,728 to $27,998 a year, before tools and books. Community colleges publish their in-district rate.

How Much Do HVAC Technicians Make in Kentucky?

BLS estimates a median of $58,620 a year for HVAC mechanics and installers in Kentucky (May 2025), across 5,100 jobs. The lowest-paid 10% earn under $38,790 and the top 10% more than $80,020.

What Is the Best HVAC School in Kentucky?

On federal data for program size, cost and completion, Gateway Community and Technical College ranks first among Kentucky schools with verified HVAC programs, followed by Southcentral Kentucky Community and Technical College. The best fit depends on the credential you want and the campus you can reach.

How Many HVAC Schools Are in Kentucky?

17 schools have a current HVAC program in Kentucky, each checked against the school's own program page, and 10 offer an associate degree. IPEDS counts 17 Kentucky schools that awarded HVAC credentials in 2022–23.

What Is the Most Affordable HVAC School in Kentucky?

Ashland Community and Technical College had the lowest 2024–25 tuition and fees among Kentucky HVAC schools with federal figures: $4,728 for a full-time year (in-state). Big Sandy Community and Technical College ($4,728) and Elizabethtown Community and Technical College ($4,728) follow.

Are There Evening HVAC Classes in Kentucky?

Yes. 3 HVAC programs in Kentucky publish evening classes, including Bluegrass Community and Technical College, Interactive College of Technology-Newport and Madisonville Community College.

Where Can You Get EPA 608 Certified in Kentucky?

Bluegrass Community and Technical College, Campbellsville University and Interactive College of Technology-Newport and 2 other Kentucky schools name EPA 608 preparation or testing on their HVAC program pages. The certification itself comes from an EPA-approved certifying organization.

Do I Need a License to Work in HVAC?

EPA Section 608 certification is required nationwide for refrigerant work. Some states and localities also require HVAC technicians to be licensed, so check with Kentucky and your city.

Latest Posts From the Blog

All posts

More on HVAC Training in Kentucky

Sources

  1. Official HVAC program pages of the 17 Kentucky schools above (each profile links to its page), reviewed September 2026.
  2. U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS completions 2022–23 and College Navigator.
  3. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025.
  4. U.S. EPA, Section 608 technician certification.