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2026 Rankings · IL

Best HVAC Schools
in Illinois

The top 3 accredited HVAC training schools in Illinois for 2026, ranked by job placement, tuition, accreditation, and included certifications.

Key Takeaways

The best HVAC school in Illinois for 2026 is Triton College in River Grove (Guide Score 93). Rankings weigh job placement, affordability, accreditation, graduation rate, and included certifications — schools cannot pay for placement.

  • #1 Triton College (River Grove) — Guide Score 93, from $6,000
  • #2 Coyne College (Chicago) — Guide Score 71, from $18,500
  • #3 Midwest Technical Institute - Springfield IL (Springfield) — Guide Score 68, from $19,800
Illinois Rankings

Top HVAC Schools in Illinois

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

  1. 1Rank
    Community CollegeAccredited

    Triton College

    River Grove, Illinois
    Starting Tuition
    $6,000
    Job Placement
    85%
    Grad Rate
    79%
    Programs
    2
    • 85% average job placement
    • Accredited (HLC)
    • EPA 608 + NATE prep included
    • Most affordable tuition in this ranking
    View School & Programs
    93
    Guide Score
  2. 2Rank
    Trade SchoolAccredited

    Coyne College

    Chicago, Illinois
    Starting Tuition
    $18,500
    Job Placement
    80%
    Grad Rate
    72%
    Programs
    2
    • 80% average job placement
    • Accredited (ACCSC)
    • EPA 608 + NATE prep included
    • Financial aid available
    View School & Programs
    71
    Guide Score
  3. 3Rank
    Trade SchoolAccredited

    Midwest Technical Institute - Springfield IL

    Springfield, Illinois
    Starting Tuition
    $19,800
    Job Placement
    82%
    Grad Rate
    76%
    Programs
    1
    • 82% average job placement
    • Accredited (ACCSC, HVAC Excellence)
    • 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 Illinois: Common Questions
What is the best HVAC school in Illinois?
Triton College in River Grove ranks first among the HVAC schools we track in Illinois, earning a Guide Score of 93 for its combination of job placement, affordability, accreditation, and included certifications.
How many HVAC schools are in Illinois?
We currently rank 3 accredited HVAC schools in Illinois, offering certificate, diploma, and associate-degree programs plus EPA 608 exam prep.
How much do HVAC technicians make in Illinois?
The median HVAC technician wage in Illinois is $55,120 per year, with top earners (90th percentile) making $79,640.
Do you need a license to do HVAC work in Illinois?
Illinois does not require a separate statewide HVAC license, though EPA Section 608 certification is still federally required to handle refrigerants.
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