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 job placement, tuition, accreditation, and included certifications.

Key Takeaways

The best HVAC school in Arizona for 2026 is GateWay Community College in Phoenix (Guide Score 91). Rankings weigh job placement, affordability, accreditation, graduation rate, and included certifications — schools cannot pay for placement.

  • #1 GateWay Community College (Phoenix) — Guide Score 91, from $3,100
  • #2 The Refrigeration School - Phoenix (Phoenix) — Guide Score 82, from $12,800
  • #3 Maricopa Skill Center (Phoenix) — Guide Score 81, from $4,200
  • #4 Penn Foster Career School (Scottsdale) — Guide Score 79, from $3,299
  • #5 Universal Technical Institute - Avondale (Avondale) — Guide Score 68, from $33,400
Arizona Rankings

Top HVAC Schools in Arizona

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

  1. 1Rank
    Community CollegeAccredited

    GateWay Community College

    Phoenix, Arizona
    Starting Tuition
    $3,100
    Job Placement
    84%
    Grad Rate
    70%
    Programs
    3
    • 84% average job placement
    • Accredited (HLC)
    • EPA 608 + NATE prep included
    • 3 HVAC programs to choose from
    View School & Programs
    91
    Guide Score
  2. 2Rank
    Trade SchoolAccredited

    The Refrigeration School - Phoenix

    Phoenix, Arizona
    Starting Tuition
    $12,800
    Job Placement
    84%
    Grad Rate
    75%
    Programs
    3
    • 84% average job placement
    • Accredited (ACCSC)
    • EPA 608 + NATE prep included
    • 3 HVAC programs to choose from
    View School & Programs
    82
    Guide Score
  3. 3Rank
    Trade SchoolAccredited

    Maricopa Skill Center

    Phoenix, Arizona
    Starting Tuition
    $4,200
    Job Placement
    84%
    Grad Rate
    80%
    Programs
    1
    • 84% average job placement
    • Accredited (HLC)
    • EPA 608 prep included
    • Most affordable tuition in this ranking
    View School & Programs
    81
    Guide Score
  4. 4Rank
    Online SchoolAccredited

    Penn Foster Career School

    Scottsdale, Arizona
    Starting Tuition
    $3,299
    Job Placement
    71%
    Grad Rate
    67%
    Programs
    2
    • Accredited (DEAC, CHEA)
    • EPA 608 + NATE prep included
    View School & Programs
    79
    Guide Score
  5. 5Rank
    Trade SchoolAccredited

    Universal Technical Institute - Avondale

    Avondale, Arizona
    Starting Tuition
    $33,400
    Job Placement
    84%
    Grad Rate
    71%
    Programs
    2
    • 84% average job placement
    • Accredited (ACCSC)
    • EPA 608 + NATE prep included
    • Financial aid available
    View School & Programs
    68
    Guide Score
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, job placement, graduation rate, accreditation, included certifications, program variety, and financial aid. Affordability and program variety are scored relative to the other schools in each ranking.

  • Job placement rate25%
  • Affordability (tuition)20%
  • Accreditation15%
  • Graduation rate15%
  • Included credentials (EPA 608 / NATE)10%
  • Program variety10%
  • Financial aid availability5%

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.

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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 91 for its combination of job placement, affordability, accreditation, and included certifications.
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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