Is There an HVAC School in West Columbia?
- Fortis College-Columbia in Columbia, 2 miles away, offers Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Certificate.
- Midlands Technical College in West Columbia, 3 miles away, offers HVAC/R Associate in Applied Science and HVAC/R Technician Diploma.
- Central Carolina Technical College in Sumter, 42 miles away, offers Basic Air Conditioning and Heating Certificate (BACH) and Advanced Air Conditioning and Heating Certificate (AACH).
- EPA 608: 4 of these 4 schools name EPA 608 preparation or testing.
- HVAC pay in South Carolina: a median $56,610 a year (BLS, May 2025).
Best HVAC Schools in West Columbia for What You Need
HVAC Schools in West Columbia and the Surrounding Area
Fortis College-Columbia
Offers a certificate in HVAC
- Tuition / year
- $14,777 all students, 2024–25
- HVAC awards
- 72 conferred 2024–25
The closest campus to West Columbia; the most HVAC awards nearby (72 in 2024–25); evening or weekend classes.
Covers EPA 608 · Refrigeration · Electrical · Heating · Air conditioning · Heat pumps
Midlands Technical College
Offers an associate degree, a diploma and 2 certificates in HVAC
- Tuition / year
- $5,100 in-district, 2024–25
- HVAC awards
- 40 conferred 2024–25
The lowest tuition of the 4 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
Central Carolina Technical College
Offers 2 certificates in HVAC
- 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
Aiken Technical College
Offers an associate degree and a certificate in HVAC
- Tuition / year
- $5,174 in-district, 2024–25
- HVAC awards
- 10 conferred 2024–25
A degree option on top of certificates.
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 West Columbia.
Fortis College-Columbia and 3 More Programs Within 60 Miles
| School | Distance | Tuition and fees | HVAC awards | Graduation rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fortis College-ColumbiaColumbia | 2 miles | $14,777 | 72 | |
| Midlands Technical CollegeWest Columbia | 3 miles | $5,100 | 40 | 18% |
| Central Carolina Technical CollegeSumter | 42 miles | $5,715 | 12 | 34% |
| Aiken Technical CollegeGraniteville | 53 miles | $5,174 | 10 | 34% |
HVAC programs near West 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.
HVAC Classes in West 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.
Also publishing schedules: Aiken Technical College (53 miles). See each profile for times.
Certificate or Associate Degree Near West Columbia?
Fortis College-Columbia and Central Carolina Technical College offer certificates or diplomas only; Midlands Technical College and Aiken Technical College also award 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
- Aiken Technical CollegeAssociate in Applied Science, General Technology with Emphasis in Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning: 64 credit hours (2 years full time); Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Certificate: 36 credit hours (1 year full time)
HVAC Technician Pay in South Carolina
Annual wages for HVAC mechanics and installers in South Carolina (6,920 jobs); U.S. median $61,010. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025.
Questions About HVAC Schools in West Columbia
How Much Do HVAC Schools in West 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 West 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). 2 of the 4 schools near West Columbia also offer an associate degree, which usually takes about two years full time.
How Much Do HVAC Technicians Make in West Columbia?
HVAC mechanics and installers in South Carolina earn a median $56,610 a year (BLS, May 2025), 7% below the U.S. median of $61,010. The top 10% earn more than $75,530.
What Is the Best HVAC School Near West 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 West 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 West Columbia?
Yes. Fortis College-Columbia (2 miles), Midlands Technical College (3 miles) and Central Carolina Technical College (42 miles) publish evening or weekend classes. Each school profile has its full schedule.
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Guides, Careers and Pay
Sources
- Official HVAC program pages of the 4 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.
