Which HVAC Schools in Hickory Should You Compare?
- Catawba Valley Community College in Hickory, 3 miles away, offers Air Conditioning, Heating, & Refrigeration Technology Associate in Applied Science.
- Mitchell Community College in Statesville, 24 miles away, offers Air Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Technology Diploma Program [D35100].
- NASCAR Technical Institute (Universal Technical Institute - Mooresville) in Mooresville, 28 miles away, offers HVACR Technician.
- EPA 608: 1 of these 8 schools name EPA 608 preparation or testing.
- HVAC pay in the Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC metro area: a median $50,300 a year (BLS, May 2025).
Compare HVAC Programs Near Hickory
| School | Distance | Tuition and fees | HVAC awards | Graduation rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Catawba Valley Community CollegeHickory | 3 miles | $2,427 | 17 | 35% |
| Mitchell Community CollegeStatesville | 24 miles | $2,641 | 7 | 28% |
| NASCAR Technical Institute (Universal Technical Institute - Mooresville)Mooresville | 28 miles | 57 | ||
| Gaston CollegeDallas | 31 miles | $3,186 | 49 | 63% |
| Cleveland Community CollegeShelby | 33 miles | $2,602 | 24 | 32% |
| McDowell Technical Community CollegeMarion | 36 miles | $2,032 | 6 | 48% |
| Central Piedmont Community CollegeCharlotte | 46 miles | $2,792 | 3 | 31% |
| Rowan-Cabarrus Community CollegeSalisbury | 48 miles | $2,064 | 98 | 35% |
HVAC programs near Hickory, 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 Hickory for What You Need
HVAC Schools in Hickory: Rowan-Cabarrus Community College and 7 Others
Rowan-Cabarrus Community College
Offers an associate degree, a diploma and 7 certificates in HVAC
- Tuition / year
- $2,064 in-state, 2024–25
- HVAC awards
- 98 conferred 2024–25
The most HVAC awards nearby (98 in 2024–25); a degree option on top of certificates.
Covers Refrigeration · Heating · Air conditioning · Heat pumps · Commercial
Catawba Valley Community College
Offers an associate degree in HVAC
- Tuition / year
- $2,427 in-state, 2024–25
- HVAC awards
- 17 conferred 2024–25
The closest campus to Hickory; a degree option on top of certificates.
Covers Refrigeration · Electrical · Heating · Air conditioning · Heat pumps · Controls
NASCAR Technical Institute (Universal Technical Institute - Mooresville)
Offers one other award in HVAC
- HVAC awards offered
- 1 certificates and degrees
- HVAC awards
- 57 conferred 2024–25
Covers EPA 608 · Refrigeration · Electrical · Heating · Air conditioning
Cleveland Community College
Offers an associate degree in HVAC
- Tuition / year
- $2,602 in-state, 2024–25
- HVAC awards
- 24 conferred 2024–25
A degree option on top of certificates.
Covers Refrigeration · Heating · Air conditioning
Gaston College
Offers a diploma and 3 certificates in HVAC
- Tuition / year
- $3,186 in-state, 2024–25
- HVAC awards
- 49 conferred 2024–25
Evening or weekend classes.
Covers Refrigeration · Electrical · Heating · Air conditioning · Heat pumps · Controls
McDowell Technical Community College
Offers an associate degree, a diploma and 2 certificates in HVAC
- Tuition / year
- $2,032 in-state, 2024–25
- HVAC awards
- 6 conferred 2024–25
The lowest tuition of the 7 HVAC schools here ($2,032); a degree option on top of certificates.
Covers Refrigeration · Electrical · Heating · Air conditioning · Controls
Tuition and HVAC awards: NCES College Navigator. Programs and topics: each school's own HVAC page, reviewed September 2026. Distances are straight-line from Hickory.
HVAC Classes in Hickory: Gaston College Teaches Evenings or Weekends
- Mitchell Community CollegeSome HVAC courses are delivered up to 50% online with required Microsoft Teams meetings. Short-term HVAC training, including refrigerant certification exam preparation, is also offered.
- Gaston CollegeDay and night classes are offered for full-time and part-time students.
Certificate or Associate Degree Near Hickory?
Mitchell Community College, NASCAR Technical Institute (Universal Technical Institute - Mooresville) and Gaston College offer certificates or diplomas only; Catawba Valley Community College, Cleveland Community College and McDowell Technical Community College also award an HVAC associate degree, which adds general education and usually takes about two years full time.
- NASCAR Technical Institute (Universal Technical Institute - Mooresville)HVACR Technician: 9-10 months (UTI program-wide)
- Gaston CollegeAir Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Technology Diploma (D35100): one year
- Cleveland Community CollegeAir Conditioning, Heating and Refrigeration Technology (AAS) A35100: 64-65 credit hours
HVAC Technician Pay Around Hickory
Annual wages for HVAC mechanics and installers in the Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC metro area (300 jobs); U.S. median $61,010. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025.
Questions About HVAC Schools in Hickory
How Much Do HVAC Schools in Hickory Cost?
McDowell Technical Community College charges the least, $2,032 a year full time in 2024–25 (in-state); Gaston College charges $3,186. Tools and books cost extra (McDowell Technical Community College budgets $1,750 for books and supplies).
How Long Does HVAC School Take Near Hickory?
It depends on the credential. At NASCAR Technical Institute (Universal Technical Institute - Mooresville), the closest program that publishes lengths, HVACR Technician runs 9-10 months (UTI program-wide). 5 of the 8 schools near Hickory also offer an associate degree, which usually takes about two years full time.
How Much Do HVAC Technicians Make in Hickory?
HVAC mechanics and installers in the Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC metro area earn a median $50,300 a year (BLS, May 2025), 18% below the U.S. median of $61,010. The top 10% earn more than $73,240.
What Is the Best HVAC School Near Hickory?
Rowan-Cabarrus Community College scores highest on program size, cost and completion among the HVAC schools within 60 miles, with 98 HVAC awards in 2024–25. Catawba Valley Community College ranks second.
Where Can You Get EPA 608 Certified Near Hickory?
NASCAR Technical Institute (Universal Technical Institute - Mooresville) names EPA 608 preparation or testing on its HVAC program page.
Are There Night HVAC Classes Near Hickory?
Yes. Gaston College (31 miles) publishes evening or weekend classes. Each school profile has its full schedule.
HVAC Programs Near Hickory but Farther Out
- Surry Community College, Dobson56 miles
- York Technical College, Rock Hill, SC59 miles
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North Carolina community colleges charge $1,944 to $4,112 a year in-state for HVAC. Private 10-month programs list $18,790 to $23,400 for the whole program.
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How Much Do HVAC Technicians Make in North Carolina?
HVAC technicians in North Carolina earned a median $57,260 in May 2025 ($27.53 an hour). See the pay range, metro medians and where to train.
Guides, Careers and Pay
Sources
- Official HVAC program pages of the 8 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.