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Columbia HVAC Schools

HVAC Schools in Columbia, SC

3 of the 3 HVAC programs within 60 miles of Columbia publish evening or weekend classes, so you can keep a day job while you train.

By the HVAC Technician Careers editorial teamUpdated September 26, 2026

Hands adjusting a valve on a boiler system with a pressure gauge
Photo: Heiko Ruth / Pexels

Where Can You Take HVAC Classes in Columbia After Work?

  • Night or weekend classes: Fortis College-Columbia, Midlands Technical College and Central Carolina Technical College.
  • Fortis College-Columbia in Columbia, 10 miles away, offers Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Certificate.
  • Midlands Technical College in West Columbia, 14 miles away, offers HVAC/R Associate in Applied Science and HVAC/R Technician Diploma.
  • Central Carolina Technical College in Sumter, 32 miles away, offers Basic Air Conditioning and Heating Certificate (BACH) and Advanced Air Conditioning and Heating Certificate (AACH).
  • EPA 608: 3 of these 3 schools name EPA 608 preparation or testing.
  • HVAC pay in the Columbia, SC metro area: a median $57,610 a year (BLS, May 2025).

HVAC Classes in Columbia: 3 Schools Teach Evenings or Weekends

  • Fortis College-ColumbiaClasses meet Monday through Thursday in a morning session (8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.) or an evening session (6:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.).
  • Midlands Technical CollegeDay classes start in the fall and spring semesters; night classes start in the fall only and cover the certificate and diploma courses. The non-credit training certificate runs through Corporate and Continuing Education and students register course by course without applying to the college.
  • Central Carolina Technical CollegeEach certificate follows a fall, spring and summer sequence. The basic certificate runs during the day or through the college's Evening College layout, which may use a different sequence and take longer; the advanced certificate runs during the day.

Compare HVAC Programs Near Columbia

SchoolDistanceTuition and feesHVAC awardsGraduation rate
Fortis College-ColumbiaColumbia10 miles$14,77772
Midlands Technical CollegeWest Columbia14 miles$5,1004018%
Central Carolina Technical CollegeSumter32 miles$5,7151234%

HVAC programs near Columbia, 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 Columbia for What You Need

Closest to ColumbiaFortis College-Columbia10 miles from the city centerLowest TuitionMidlands Technical College$5,100 a year, in-district (2024–25)Working AdultsCentral Carolina Technical CollegeEvening or weekend classes published

HVAC Schools in Columbia: Midlands Technical College and 2 Others

West Columbia · 14 mi from ColumbiaPublic, 2-year

Midlands Technical College

Offers an associate degree, a diploma and 2 certificates in HVAC

  • Evening Classes
  • EPA 608 Prep
Tuition / year
$5,100
in-district, 2024–25
HVAC awards
40
conferred 2024–25

The lowest tuition of the 3 HVAC schools here ($5,100); evening or weekend classes; a degree option on top of certificates.

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

Columbia · 10 mi from ColumbiaPrivate for-profit, 2-year

Fortis College-Columbia

Offers a certificate in HVAC

  • Evening Classes
  • EPA 608 Prep
Tuition / year
$14,777
all students, 2024–25
HVAC awards
72
conferred 2024–25

The closest campus to Columbia; the most HVAC awards nearby (72 in 2024–25); evening or weekend classes.

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

Sumter · 32 mi from ColumbiaPublic, 2-year

Central Carolina Technical College

Offers 2 certificates in HVAC

  • Evening Classes
  • EPA 608 Prep
Tuition / year
$5,715
in-district, 2024–25
HVAC awards
12
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 Columbia.

Certificate or Associate Degree Near Columbia?

Fortis College-Columbia and Central Carolina Technical College offer certificates or diplomas only; Midlands Technical College also awards an HVAC associate degree, which adds general education and usually takes about two years full time.

  • Fortis College-ColumbiaHeating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Certificate: 960 contact hours, 64 quarter credits (48 instructional weeks)
  • Central Carolina Technical CollegeBasic Air Conditioning and Heating Certificate (BACH): 36 semester hours; Advanced Air Conditioning and Heating Certificate (AACH): 25 semester hours

HVAC Technician Pay Around Columbia

Annual wages for HVAC mechanics and installers in the Columbia, SC metro area (1,220 jobs); U.S. median $61,010. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025.

Questions About HVAC Schools in Columbia

How Much Do HVAC Schools in Columbia Cost?

Midlands Technical College charges the least, $5,100 a year full time in 2024–25 (in-district); Fortis College-Columbia charges $14,777. Tools and books cost extra (Midlands Technical College budgets $1,624 for books and supplies).

How Long Does HVAC School Take Near Columbia?

It depends on the credential. At Fortis College-Columbia, the closest program that publishes lengths, Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Certificate runs 960 contact hours, 64 quarter credits (48 instructional weeks). 1 of the 3 schools near Columbia also offer an associate degree, which usually takes about two years full time.

How Much Do HVAC Technicians Make in Columbia?

HVAC mechanics and installers in the Columbia, SC metro area earn a median $57,610 a year (BLS, May 2025), 6% below the U.S. median of $61,010. The top 10% earn more than $73,830.

What Is the Best HVAC School Near Columbia?

Midlands Technical College scores highest on program size, cost and completion among the HVAC schools within 60 miles, with 40 HVAC awards in 2024–25. Fortis College-Columbia ranks second.

Where Can You Get EPA 608 Certified Near Columbia?

Fortis College-Columbia, Midlands Technical College and Central Carolina Technical College name EPA 608 preparation or testing on their HVAC program pages.

Are There Night HVAC Classes Near Columbia?

Yes. Fortis College-Columbia (10 miles), Midlands Technical College (14 miles) and Central Carolina Technical College (32 miles) publish evening or weekend classes. Each school profile has its full schedule.

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Sources

  1. Official HVAC program pages of the 3 schools above (each profile links to its page), reviewed September 2026.
  2. U.S. Department of Education, College Navigator (IPEDS).
  3. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025.