Gonzales, LouisianaPublic, 2-Year

River Parishes Community College HVAC Program

A diploma and 2 certificates, $4,079 a year in tuition and fees, with training in EPA 608 refrigerant certification, refrigeration systems, electrical and wiring.

What Does River Parishes Community College Offer HVAC Students?

River Parishes Community College in Gonzales, Louisiana offers a diploma and 2 certificates in HVAC through its Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Technician program. Tuition and fees for 2024–25 were $4,079 for a full-time year (all students), the lowest of the 15 Louisiana schools we list with federal figures. The school awarded 40 HVAC credentials in 2024–25. Best for keeping tuition low in Louisiana.

River Parishes Community College HVAC Tuition: $4,079 a Year

Tuition and fees
$4,079
all students, 2024–25
Books and supplies
$1,353
2024–25 estimate
HVAC certificates awarded
40
2024–25
Graduation rate
30%
school-wide, Fall 2021 cohort
Students enrolled
2,597
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.

2 HVAC Certificates at River Parishes Community College

AwardTypeLength
Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Technician, Technical Diploma (TD)Diploma48 credit hours
A/C and Refrigeration Helper Certificate of Technical Studies (CTS)Certificate24 credit hours
HVAC Electrical Apprentice Career and Technical Certificate (CTC)Certificate12 credit hours

As listed on River Parishes Community College's HVAC program page, reviewed September 26, 2026.

Heat Pumps, Refrigeration and Controls at River Parishes Community College

Industry certifications are built into each semester of the diploma, including a course on ductless technology.

  • EPA 608 refrigerant certification
  • Refrigeration systems
  • Electrical and wiringelectric motors
  • Heating, furnaces and boilers
  • Air conditioning
  • Heat pumps and geothermal
  • Ductwork, airflow and sheet metalductless systems

Certification Testing at River Parishes Community College

Testing. Students can earn industry-based certifications as they progress: NCCER Core and HVAC Excellence Electrical Employment Ready in the first semester, EPA 608 in the second, and HVAC Excellence Air Conditioning, Gas Heat, Electric Heat and Heat Pump Employment Ready later in the program.

Check start dates, admission steps and the current course list on River Parishes Community College's own site.

Visit rpcc.edu

What HVAC Technicians Earn in Louisiana

Across Louisiana, the median HVAC technician wage is $58,650 a year, from $36,950 at the 10th percentile to $78,210 at the 90th, with 5,380 HVAC mechanics and installers employed. The national median is $61,010. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025.

5 More HVAC Schools Within 35 Miles of Gonzales

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River Parishes Community College HVAC FAQ

Does River Parishes Community College Have an HVAC Program?

Yes. River Parishes Community College offers a diploma and 2 certificates in HVAC. Training covers EPA 608 refrigerant certification, refrigeration systems, electrical and wiring, heating, furnaces and boilers, air conditioning.

How Much Does HVAC School Cost at River Parishes Community College?

River Parishes Community College's 2024–25 tuition and fees were $4,079 for a full-time year (all students), with books and supplies estimated at $1,353. HVAC students also buy hand tools and meters.

How Long Is the HVAC Program at River Parishes Community College?

Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Technician, Technical Diploma (TD): 48 credit hours. A/C and Refrigeration Helper Certificate of Technical Studies (CTS): 24 credit hours. HVAC Electrical Apprentice Career and Technical Certificate (CTC): 12 credit hours.

Can You Get EPA 608 Certified at River Parishes Community College?

Students can earn industry-based certifications as they progress: NCCER Core and HVAC Excellence Electrical Employment Ready in the first semester, EPA 608 in the second, and HVAC Excellence Air Conditioning, Gas Heat, Electric Heat and Heat Pump Employment Ready later in the program.

How Much Do HVAC Technicians Make in Louisiana?

The median HVAC technician wage in Louisiana is $58,650 a year, and the middle half earn between $44,980 and $65,990 (BLS, May 2025).

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Sources

  1. rpcc.edu: Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Technician program page, reviewed September 26, 2026
  2. NCES College Navigator, IPEDS unit 436304
  3. BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025
  4. EPA Section 608 technician certification requirements