Which HVAC Schools in Charleston Should You Compare?
- Trident Technical College in Charleston, 8 miles away, offers General Technology - Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Mechanics, AAS and Air Conditioning - Refrigeration Mechanics Certificate.
- Technical College of the Lowcountry in Beaufort, 50 miles away, offers HVAC Fundamentals Certificate and Designing HVAC Systems Certificate.
- Williamsburg Technical College in Kingstree, 58 miles away, offers Certificate HVAC/R and Certificate-Basic HVAC-R (high school dual enrollment).
- EPA 608: 3 of these 3 schools name EPA 608 preparation or testing.
- HVAC pay in the Charleston-North Charleston, SC metro area: a median $58,410 a year (BLS, May 2025).
Compare HVAC Programs Near Charleston
| School | Distance | Tuition and fees | HVAC awards | Graduation rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trident Technical CollegeCharleston | 8 miles | $4,546 | 37 | 30% |
| Technical College of the LowcountryBeaufort | 50 miles | $6,156 | 6 | 18% |
| Williamsburg Technical CollegeKingstree | 58 miles | $4,488 | 13 | 15% |
HVAC programs near Charleston, 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 Charleston for What You Need
HVAC Schools in Charleston: Trident Technical College and 2 Others
Trident Technical College
Offers an associate degree, 3 certificates and one other award in HVAC
- Tuition / year
- $4,546 in-district, 2024–25
- HVAC awards
- 37 conferred 2024–25
The closest campus to Charleston; the most HVAC awards nearby (37 in 2024–25); a degree option on top of certificates.
Covers EPA 608 · Refrigeration · Electrical · Heating · Air conditioning · Heat pumps
Williamsburg Technical College
Offers 2 certificates in HVAC
- Tuition / year
- $4,488 in-district, 2024–25
- HVAC awards
- 13 conferred 2024–25
The lowest tuition of the 3 HVAC schools here ($4,488).
Covers EPA 608 · Refrigeration · Electrical · Heating · Air conditioning · Heat pumps
Technical College of the Lowcountry
Offers 4 certificates in HVAC
- Tuition / year
- $6,156 in-district, 2024–25
- HVAC awards
- 6 conferred 2024–25
Evening or weekend classes.
Covers EPA 608 · Refrigeration · Electrical · Heating · Air conditioning · Heat pumps
Tuition and HVAC awards: NCES College Navigator. Programs and topics: each school's own HVAC page, reviewed September 2026. Distances are straight-line from Charleston.
HVAC Classes in Charleston: Technical College of the Lowcountry Teaches Evenings or Weekends
- Trident Technical CollegeCredit programs run through the Manufacturing and Maintenance division; a non-credit Technician Assistant program is offered through Continuing Education, with sections listed as they open.
- Technical College of the LowcountryDay and evening courses are offered, and each certificate can be finished in two or three semesters.
- Williamsburg Technical CollegeThe HVAC/R certificate's published plan runs three semesters: fall, spring and a second fall.
Certificate or Associate Degree Near Charleston?
Technical College of the Lowcountry and Williamsburg Technical College offer certificates or diplomas only; Trident Technical College also awards an HVAC associate degree, which adds general education and usually takes about two years full time.
- Trident Technical CollegeGeneral Technology - Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Mechanics, AAS: 60-61 credit hours; Air Conditioning - Refrigeration Mechanics Certificate: 25 credit hours; Commercial and Industrial ACR Systems Certificate: 25 credit hours
- Technical College of the LowcountryHVAC Fundamentals Certificate: 23 credit hours (as little as two semesters); Designing HVAC Systems Certificate: 23 credit hours (as little as two semesters); Commercial Refrigeration Certificate: 31 credit hours (as little as two semesters)
- Williamsburg Technical CollegeCertificate HVAC/R: 30 semester hours; Certificate-Basic HVAC-R (high school dual enrollment): 24 credit hours
HVAC Technician Pay Around Charleston
Annual wages for HVAC mechanics and installers in the Charleston-North Charleston, SC metro area (1,270 jobs); U.S. median $61,010. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025.
Questions About HVAC Schools in Charleston
How Much Do HVAC Schools in Charleston Cost?
Williamsburg Technical College charges the least, $4,488 a year full time in 2024–25 (in-district); Technical College of the Lowcountry charges $6,156. Tools and books cost extra (Williamsburg Technical College budgets $1,000 for books and supplies).
How Long Does HVAC School Take Near Charleston?
It depends on the credential. At Trident Technical College, the closest program that publishes lengths, General Technology - Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Mechanics, AAS runs 60-61 credit hours. 1 of the 3 schools near Charleston also offer an associate degree, which usually takes about two years full time.
How Much Do HVAC Technicians Make in Charleston?
HVAC mechanics and installers in the Charleston-North Charleston, SC metro area earn a median $58,410 a year (BLS, May 2025), 4% below the U.S. median of $61,010. The top 10% earn more than $77,060.
What Is the Best HVAC School Near Charleston?
Trident Technical College scores highest on program size, cost and completion among the HVAC schools within 60 miles, with 37 HVAC awards in 2024–25. Williamsburg Technical College ranks second.
Where Can You Get EPA 608 Certified Near Charleston?
Trident Technical College, Technical College of the Lowcountry and Williamsburg Technical College name EPA 608 preparation or testing on their HVAC program pages.
Are There Night HVAC Classes Near Charleston?
Yes. Technical College of the Lowcountry (50 miles) publishes evening or weekend classes. Each school profile has its full schedule.
Latest Posts From the Blog
All posts
National · Cost
What HVAC Students Spend on Books, Tools and Supplies
HVAC books and supplies run from $500 a year at St. Philip's College to $3,864 at Sampson Community College. See what schools list and what's included.
Texas · Cost
How Much Does HVAC School Cost in Texas?
Texas HVAC tuition runs from $1,770 a year at Lamar State College-Port Arthur to $33,969 for a full private program. Compare colleges and career schools.
North Carolina · Cost
How Much Does HVAC School Cost in North Carolina?
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.
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.