What Are the Best HVAC Schools in Minnesota?
- Hennepin Technical College (Brooklyn Park) offers Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration AAS and Commercial Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Diploma.
- Century College (White Bear Lake) offers Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Technology, AAS and Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Technician Diploma.
- Minnesota State Community and Technical College (Moorhead) offers HVAC/R Diploma.
- Tuition and fees run from $5,908 to $27,836 a year (2024–25).
- 6 of 11 Minnesota programs name EPA 608 preparation or testing.
- Minnesota HVAC technicians earn a median $76,350 a year (BLS, May 2025).
Hennepin Technical College Leads the Minnesota HVAC School Rankings
| # | School | Tuition and fees | HVAC awards | Graduation rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hennepin Technical CollegeBrooklyn Park | $5,940 | 142 | 42% |
| 2 | Century CollegeWhite Bear Lake | $6,214 | 163 | 31% |
| 3 | Minnesota State Community and Technical CollegeMoorhead | $5,908 | 38 | 47% |
| 4 | St Cloud Technical and Community CollegeSt. Cloud | $6,124 | 38 | 45% |
| 5 | Minneapolis Community and Technical CollegeMinneapolis | $6,161 | 40 | 20% |
| 6 | Dakota County Technical CollegeRosemount | $6,679 | 26 | 58% |
| 7 | South Central CollegeNorth Mankato | $6,146 | 20 | 39% |
| 8 | Dunwoody College of TechnologyMinneapolis | $27,836 | 28 | 66% |
| 9 | Northland Community and Technical CollegeEast Grand Forks | $6,289 | 13 | 56% |
| 10 | Northwest Technical CollegeBemidji | $6,254 | 18 | 50% |
| 11 | Minnesota North CollegeHibbing | $6,022 | 10 | 42% |
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 Minnesota HVAC Schools
Each Minnesota 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 Minnesota by Goal
HVAC Programs in Minnesota Near Minneapolis, Brooklyn Park and Rosemount
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.
- MinneapolisDunwoody College of Technology and Minneapolis Community and Technical College
- Brooklyn ParkHennepin Technical College
- RosemountDakota County Technical College
- St. CloudSt Cloud Technical and Community College
- White Bear LakeCentury College
HVAC Schools in Minnesota, School by School
1Hennepin Technical College
Offers an associate degree and 2 diplomas in HVAC
- Tuition / year
- $5,940 all students, 2024–25
- HVAC awards
- 142 conferred 2024–25
Covers EPA 608 · Refrigeration · Heating · Air conditioning · Controls · Commercial
2Century College
Offers an associate degree, a diploma and 2 certificates in HVAC
- Tuition / year
- $6,214 all students, 2024–25
- HVAC awards
- 163 conferred 2024–25
Covers EPA 608 · Refrigeration · Electrical · Heating · Air conditioning · Ductwork
3Minnesota State Community and Technical College
Offers a diploma in HVAC
- Tuition / year
- $5,908 all students, 2024–25
- HVAC awards
- 38 conferred 2024–25
Covers Refrigeration · Electrical · Heating · Air conditioning · Ductwork
4St Cloud Technical and Community College
Offers an associate degree and 2 diplomas in HVAC
- Tuition / year
- $6,124 all students, 2024–25
- HVAC awards
- 38 conferred 2024–25
Covers Refrigeration · Electrical · Heating · Air conditioning · Commercial
5Minneapolis Community and Technical College
Offers an associate degree, 2 diplomas and a certificate in HVAC
- Tuition / year
- $6,161 all students, 2024–25
- HVAC awards
- 40 conferred 2024–25
Covers EPA 608 · Refrigeration · Electrical · Heating · Air conditioning · Controls
6Dakota County Technical College
Offers an associate degree and a diploma in HVAC
- Tuition / year
- $6,679 all students, 2024–25
- HVAC awards
- 26 conferred 2024–25
Covers EPA 608 · Refrigeration · Heating · Air conditioning
7South Central College
Offers an associate degree and 2 diplomas in HVAC
- Tuition / year
- $6,146 all students, 2024–25
- HVAC awards
- 20 conferred 2024–25
Covers Refrigeration · Electrical · Heating · Air conditioning · Controls · Ductwork
8Dunwoody College of Technology
Offers an associate degree in HVAC
- Tuition / year
- $27,836 all students, 2024–25
- HVAC awards
- 28 conferred 2024–25
Covers EPA 608 · Refrigeration · Heating · Air conditioning · Heat pumps · Controls
9Northland Community and Technical College
Offers an associate degree and a diploma in HVAC
- Tuition / year
- $6,289 all students, 2024–25
- HVAC awards
- 13 conferred 2024–25
Covers Electrical · Heating · Air conditioning · Ductwork
10Northwest Technical College
Offers a diploma in HVAC
- Tuition / year
- $6,254 all students, 2024–25
- HVAC awards
- 18 conferred 2024–25
Covers Refrigeration · Electrical · Heating · Air conditioning · Controls · Commercial
11Minnesota North College
Offers a diploma in HVAC
- Tuition / year
- $6,022 all students, 2024–25
- HVAC awards
- 10 conferred 2024–25
Covers EPA 608 · Refrigeration · Heating · Air conditioning · 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 Minnesota: $5,908 to $27,836 a Year
Among the 11 Minnesota HVAC schools with federal figures, 2024–25 tuition and fees for a full-time year range from $5,908 at Minnesota State Community and Technical College to $27,836 at Dunwoody College of Technology.
| School | City | Tuition and fees, 2024–25 |
|---|---|---|
| Minnesota State Community and Technical College | Moorhead | $5,908 (all students) |
| Hennepin Technical College | Brooklyn Park | $5,940 (all students) |
| Minnesota North College | Hibbing | $6,022 (all students) |
| St Cloud Technical and Community College | St. Cloud | $6,124 (all students) |
| South Central College | North Mankato | $6,146 (all students) |
| Minneapolis Community and Technical College | Minneapolis | $6,161 (all students) |
The six lowest rates. Source: NCES College Navigator.
Evening HVAC Classes in Minnesota: One Program
Schedules as each school publishes them. Ask about start dates and evening sections before you apply.
- Hennepin Technical CollegeStudents can attend daytime or evening classes at Brooklyn Park or Eden Prairie. Brooklyn Park runs daytime and evening sections for spring starts and evening for fall starts; Eden Prairie runs daytime for fall starts and evening for spring starts.
HVAC Technician Salary in Minnesota: The Rochester Area Pays the Most
| Metro area | Median pay | Top 10% earn more than | HVAC jobs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rochester | $77,500 | $94,600 | 190 |
| Minneapolis–St. Paul–Bloomington | $77,490 | $100,660 | 2,420 |
| Mankato | $76,670 | $100,270 | 120 |
| Fargo | $75,920 | $95,950 | 370 |
| Duluth | $75,710 | $98,970 | 170 |
| Grand Forks | $75,470 | $95,700 | 130 |
| St. Cloud | $74,420 | $98,160 | 250 |
| Sioux Falls | $62,440 | $76,070 | 600 |
| La Crosse–Onalaska | $62,400 | $94,910 | 270 |
Annual wages for HVAC mechanics and installers in Minnesota (4,200 jobs); U.S. median $61,010. Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025.
HVAC Schools by City in Minnesota
HVAC Schools in Nearby States
HVAC Schools in Minnesota: FAQ
How Much Does HVAC School Cost in Minnesota?
Full-time tuition and fees for 2024–25 at the Minnesota schools on this page run from $5,908 to $27,836 a year, before tools and books. Community colleges publish their in-district rate.
How Much Do HVAC Technicians Make in Minnesota?
BLS estimates a median of $76,350 a year for HVAC mechanics and installers in Minnesota (May 2025), across 4,200 jobs. The lowest-paid 10% earn under $48,220 and the top 10% more than $100,030.
What Is the Best HVAC School in Minnesota?
On federal data for program size, cost and completion, Hennepin Technical College ranks first among Minnesota schools with verified HVAC programs, followed by Century College. The best fit depends on the credential you want and the campus you can reach.
How Many HVAC Schools Are in Minnesota?
11 schools have a current HVAC program in Minnesota, each checked against the school's own program page, and 8 offer an associate degree. IPEDS counts 12 Minnesota schools that awarded HVAC credentials in 2022–23.
What Is the Most Affordable HVAC School in Minnesota?
Minnesota State Community and Technical College had the lowest 2024–25 tuition and fees among Minnesota HVAC schools with federal figures: $5,908 for a full-time year (all students). Hennepin Technical College ($5,940) and Minnesota North College ($6,022) follow.
Are There Evening HVAC Classes in Minnesota?
Yes. 1 HVAC program in Minnesota publishes evening classes, including Hennepin Technical College.
Where Can You Get EPA 608 Certified in Minnesota?
Century College, Dakota County Technical College and Dunwoody College of Technology and 3 other Minnesota 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 Minnesota and your city.
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More on HVAC Training in Minnesota
Sources
- Official HVAC program pages of the 11 Minnesota schools above (each profile links to its page), reviewed September 2026.
- U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS completions 2022–23 and College Navigator.
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025.
- U.S. EPA, Section 608 technician certification.