Home/Best HVAC Schools/Arizona
2026 Rankings · AZ

Best HVAC Schools
in Arizona

The top 5 accredited HVAC training schools in Arizona for 2026, ranked by tuition, accreditation, included certifications, program variety, and financial aid.

Key Takeaways

The best HVAC school in Arizona for 2026 is GateWay Community College in Phoenix (Guide Score 100). Rankings weigh affordability, accreditation, included credentials, program variety, and financial aid — schools cannot pay for higher rankings.

  • #1 GateWay Community College (Phoenix) — Guide Score 100, from $3,100
  • #2 Penn Foster Career School (Scottsdale) — Guide Score 85, from $3,299
  • #3 The Refrigeration School - Phoenix (Phoenix) — Guide Score 84, from $12,800
  • #4 Maricopa Skill Center (Phoenix) — Guide Score 80, from $4,200
  • #5 Universal Technical Institute - Avondale (Avondale) — Guide Score 65, from $33,400
Arizona Rankings

Top HVAC Schools in Arizona

Ranked by Guide Score. Tap any school for full program details, tuition, and credentials.

  1. 1Rank
    Community CollegeAccredited

    GateWay Community College

    Phoenix, Arizona
    Starting Tuition
    $3,100
    Credentials
    EPA + NATE
    Financial Aid
    Available
    Programs
    3
    • Accredited (HLC)
    • EPA 608 + NATE prep included
    • 3 HVAC programs to choose from
    • Financial aid available
    View School & Programs
    100
    Guide Score
  2. 2Rank
    Online SchoolAccredited

    Penn Foster Career School

    Scottsdale, Arizona
    Starting Tuition
    $3,299
    Credentials
    EPA + NATE
    Financial Aid
    —
    Programs
    2
    • Accredited (DEAC, CHEA)
    • EPA 608 + NATE prep included
    View School & Programs
    85
    Guide Score
  3. 3Rank
    Trade SchoolAccredited

    The Refrigeration School - Phoenix

    Phoenix, Arizona
    Starting Tuition
    $12,800
    Credentials
    EPA + NATE
    Financial Aid
    Available
    Programs
    3
    • Accredited (ACCSC)
    • EPA 608 + NATE prep included
    • 3 HVAC programs to choose from
    • Financial aid available
    View School & Programs
    84
    Guide Score
  4. 4Rank
    Trade SchoolAccredited

    Maricopa Skill Center

    Phoenix, Arizona
    Starting Tuition
    $4,200
    Credentials
    EPA 608
    Financial Aid
    Available
    Programs
    1
    • Accredited (HLC)
    • EPA 608 prep included
    • Most affordable tuition in this ranking
    • Financial aid available
    View School & Programs
    80
    Guide Score
  5. 5Rank
    Trade SchoolAccredited

    Universal Technical Institute - Avondale

    Avondale, Arizona
    Starting Tuition
    $33,400
    Credentials
    EPA + NATE
    Financial Aid
    Available
    Programs
    2
    • Accredited (ACCSC)
    • EPA 608 + NATE prep included
    • Financial aid available
    View School & Programs
    65
    Guide Score
GateWay Community College— programs & tuition →Penn Foster Career School— programs & tuition →The Refrigeration School - Phoenix— programs & tuition →Maricopa Skill Center— programs & tuition →Universal Technical Institute - Avondale— programs & tuition →
How We Rank

Our Ranking Methodology

Each school earns a Guide Score from 0–100, calculated only from objective data we track on every program: tuition, accreditation, included certifications, program variety, and financial aid. Affordability and program variety are scored relative to the other schools in each ranking.

  • Affordability (tuition)30%
  • Accreditation25%
  • Included credentials (EPA 608 / NATE)20%
  • Program variety15%
  • Financial aid availability10%

Editorial independence: schools cannot pay for higher rankings. Affiliate relationships are never an input to the Guide Score. See our full methodology and advertising disclosure.

Explore Arizona
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Median $48,370/yr · percentilesArizona License Requirements →
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FAQ
HVAC Schools in Arizona: Common Questions
What is the best HVAC school in Arizona?
GateWay Community College in Phoenix ranks first among the HVAC schools we track in Arizona, earning a Guide Score of 100 for its combination of affordability, accreditation, included credentials, program variety, and financial aid.
How many HVAC schools are in Arizona?
We currently rank 5 accredited HVAC schools in Arizona, offering certificate, diploma, and associate-degree programs plus EPA 608 exam prep.
How much do HVAC technicians make in Arizona?
The median HVAC technician wage in Arizona is $48,370 per year, with top earners (90th percentile) making $69,850.
Do you need a license to do HVAC work in Arizona?
Yes. Arizona requires HVAC licensing, regulated by the Arizona Registrar of Contractors. EPA Section 608 certification is also federally required to handle refrigerants.
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