Tacoma HVAC Schools

HVAC Schools in Tacoma, WA

Bates Technical College trains HVAC technicians in Tacoma, and 3 more HVAC schools sit within 60 miles.

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Photo: Heiko Ruth / Pexels

Is There an HVAC School in Tacoma?

  • Bates Technical College in Tacoma, in town away, offers Associate of Applied Science: HVAC/R and HVAC/R Support Technician Certificate of Competency.
  • UEI College-Tacoma in Tacoma, 5 miles away, offers Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning Diploma.
  • Clover Park Technical College in Lakewood, 6 miles away, offers Heating, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Service Technician AAT Degree and Basic HVAC/Refrigeration Service Technician Certificate.
  • EPA 608: 4 of these 4 schools name EPA 608 preparation or testing.
  • HVAC pay in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro area: a median $80,100 a year (BLS, May 2025).

Best HVAC Schools in Tacoma for What You Need

HVAC Schools in Tacoma and the Surrounding Area

Tacoma · under 1 mi from TacomaPublic, 2-year

Bates Technical College

Offers an associate degree and a certificate in HVAC

  • EPA 608 Prep
  • Associate Degree
Tuition / year
$6,027
in-state, 2024–25
HVAC awards
35
conferred 2024–25

The only campus on this list inside Tacoma; the lowest tuition of the 3 HVAC schools here ($6,027); a degree option on top of certificates.

Covers EPA 608 · Refrigeration · Electrical · Heating · Heat pumps · Controls

Tacoma · 5 mi from TacomaPrivate for-profit, under 2-year

UEI College-Tacoma

Offers a diploma in HVAC

  • Most HVAC Awards in WA
  • Hybrid or Online Options
HVAC awards offered
1
certificates and degrees
HVAC awards
114
conferred 2024–25

The most HVAC awards nearby (114 in 2024–25); some coursework online.

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

Lakewood · 6 mi from TacomaPublic, 4-year

Clover Park Technical College

Offers an associate degree and 2 certificates in HVAC

  • EPA 608 Prep
  • Associate Degree
Tuition / year
$6,634
all students, 2024–25
HVAC awards
112
conferred 2024–25

A degree option on top of certificates.

Covers EPA 608 · Refrigeration · Electrical · Heating · Controls · Commercial

Renton · 21 mi from TacomaPublic, 4-year

Renton Technical College

Offers an associate degree and a certificate in HVAC

  • Evening Classes
  • Hybrid or Online Options
Tuition / year
$6,308
in-state, 2024–25
HVAC awards
12
conferred 2024–25

Evening or weekend classes; some coursework online; 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 Tacoma.

Bates Technical College and 3 More Programs Within 60 Miles

SchoolDistanceTuition and feesHVAC awardsGraduation rate
Bates Technical CollegeTacomain town$6,0273543%
UEI College-TacomaTacoma5 miles114
Clover Park Technical CollegeLakewood6 miles$6,63411243%
Renton Technical CollegeRenton21 miles$6,3081246%

HVAC programs near Tacoma, 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 Tacoma: Renton Technical College Teaches Evenings or Weekends

  • Bates Technical CollegeClasses run 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the South Campus.
  • UEI College-TacomaThe program is hybrid, combining online coursework with on-site labs, and includes an externship.
  • Renton Technical CollegeIn-person evening and hybrid classes, with fall (September) and winter (January) starts. Summer classes are not required.

Certificate or Associate Degree Near Tacoma?

UEI College-Tacoma offers certificates or diplomas only; Bates Technical College, Clover Park Technical College and Renton Technical College also award an HVAC associate degree, which adds general education and usually takes about two years full time.

  • Bates Technical CollegeAssociate of Applied Science: HVAC/R: 6 quarters; HVAC/R Support Technician Certificate of Competency: 94 credits (6 quarters)
  • UEI College-TacomaHeating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning Diploma: 10 months (approximate)
  • Clover Park Technical CollegeHeating, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Service Technician AAT Degree: 103 credits; Basic HVAC/Refrigeration Service Technician Certificate: 87 credits (3 quarters per program page); Refrigeration Specialist Certificate: 42 credits (2 quarters per program page)

HVAC Technician Pay Around Tacoma

Annual wages for HVAC mechanics and installers in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro area (3,940 jobs); U.S. median $61,010. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025.

Questions About HVAC Schools in Tacoma

How Much Do HVAC Schools in Tacoma Cost?

Bates Technical College charges the least, $6,027 a year full time in 2024–25 (in-state); Clover Park Technical College charges $6,634. Tools and books cost extra (Bates Technical College budgets $528 for books and supplies).

How Long Does HVAC School Take Near Tacoma?

It depends on the credential. At Bates Technical College, the closest program that publishes lengths, Associate of Applied Science: HVAC/R runs 6 quarters. 3 of the 4 schools near Tacoma also offer an associate degree, which usually takes about two years full time.

How Much Do HVAC Technicians Make in Tacoma?

HVAC mechanics and installers in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro area earn a median $80,100 a year (BLS, May 2025), 31% above the U.S. median of $61,010. The top 10% earn more than $129,390.

What Is the Best HVAC School Near Tacoma?

Bates Technical College scores highest on program size, cost and completion among the HVAC schools within 60 miles, with 35 HVAC awards in 2024–25. UEI College-Tacoma ranks second.

Where Can You Get EPA 608 Certified Near Tacoma?

Bates Technical College, UEI College-Tacoma and Clover Park Technical College name EPA 608 preparation or testing on their HVAC program pages.

Are There Night HVAC Classes Near Tacoma?

Yes. Renton Technical College (21 miles) publishes evening or weekend classes. Each school profile has its full schedule.

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Sources

  1. Official HVAC program pages of the 4 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.