Home/Best HVAC Schools/Illinois
2026 Rankings · IL

Best HVAC Schools
in Illinois

The top 32 accredited HVAC training schools in Illinois for 2026, ranked by tuition, accreditation, included certifications, program variety, and financial aid.

Illinois Rankings

Top HVAC Schools in Illinois

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

  1. 1Rank
    Community CollegeAccredited

    Triton College

    River Grove, Illinois
    Starting Tuition
    $6,000
    Credentials
    EPA + NATE
    Financial Aid
    Available
    Programs
    2
    • Accredited (HLC)
    • EPA 608 + NATE prep included
    • Financial aid available
    View School & Programs
    92
    Guide Score
  2. 2Rank
    Trade SchoolAccredited

    Chicago Professional Center

    Prospect Heights, Illinois
    Starting Tuition
    $6,640
    Credentials
    —
    Financial Aid
    Available
    Programs
    1
    • Accredited institution
    • Most affordable tuition in this ranking
    • Financial aid available
    View School & Programs
    70
    Guide Score
  3. 3Rank
    Trade SchoolAccredited

    Coyne College

    Chicago, Illinois
    Starting Tuition
    $18,500
    Credentials
    EPA + NATE
    Financial Aid
    Available
    Programs
    2
    • Accredited (ACCSC)
    • EPA 608 + NATE prep included
    • Financial aid available
    View School & Programs
    65
    Guide Score
  4. 4Rank
    Community CollegeAccredited

    City Colleges of Chicago-Kennedy-King College

    Chicago, Illinois
    Starting Tuition
    Not published
    Credentials
    —
    Financial Aid
    Available
    Programs
    3
    • Accredited institution
    • 3 HVAC programs to choose from
    • Financial aid available
    View School & Programs
    65
    Guide Score
  5. 5Rank
    Community CollegeAccredited

    College of DuPage

    Glen Ellyn, Illinois
    Starting Tuition
    Not published
    Credentials
    —
    Financial Aid
    Available
    Programs
    3
    • Accredited institution
    • 3 HVAC programs to choose from
    • Financial aid available
    View School & Programs
    65
    Guide Score
  6. 6Rank
    Community CollegeAccredited

    Elgin Community College

    Elgin, Illinois
    Starting Tuition
    Not published
    Credentials
    —
    Financial Aid
    Available
    Programs
    3
    • Accredited institution
    • 3 HVAC programs to choose from
    • Financial aid available
    View School & Programs
    65
    Guide Score
  7. 7Rank
    Community CollegeAccredited

    Kankakee Community College

    Kankakee, Illinois
    Starting Tuition
    Not published
    Credentials
    —
    Financial Aid
    Available
    Programs
    3
    • Accredited institution
    • 3 HVAC programs to choose from
    • Financial aid available
    View School & Programs
    65
    Guide Score
  8. 8Rank
    Community CollegeAccredited

    Moraine Valley Community College

    Palos Hills, Illinois
    Starting Tuition
    Not published
    Credentials
    —
    Financial Aid
    Available
    Programs
    3
    • Accredited institution
    • 3 HVAC programs to choose from
    • Financial aid available
    View School & Programs
    65
    Guide Score
  9. 9Rank
    Community CollegeAccredited

    Oakton College

    Des Plaines, Illinois
    Starting Tuition
    Not published
    Credentials
    —
    Financial Aid
    Available
    Programs
    3
    • Accredited institution
    • 3 HVAC programs to choose from
    • Financial aid available
    View School & Programs
    65
    Guide Score
  10. 10Rank
    Community CollegeAccredited

    Richland Community College

    Decatur, Illinois
    Starting Tuition
    Not published
    Credentials
    —
    Financial Aid
    Available
    Programs
    3
    • Accredited institution
    • 3 HVAC programs to choose from
    • Financial aid available
    View School & Programs
    65
    Guide Score
  11. 11Rank
    Trade SchoolAccredited

    Midwest Technical Institute - Springfield IL

    Springfield, Illinois
    Starting Tuition
    $19,800
    Credentials
    EPA + NATE
    Financial Aid
    Available
    Programs
    1
    • Accredited (ACCSC, HVAC Excellence)
    • EPA 608 + NATE prep included
    • Financial aid available
    View School & Programs
    62
    Guide Score
  12. 12Rank
    Community CollegeAccredited

    College of Lake County

    Grayslake, Illinois
    Starting Tuition
    Not published
    Credentials
    —
    Financial Aid
    Available
    Programs
    2
    • Accredited institution
    • Financial aid available
    View School & Programs
    60
    Guide Score
  13. 13Rank
    Community CollegeAccredited

    Illinois Central College

    East Peoria, Illinois
    Starting Tuition
    Not published
    Credentials
    —
    Financial Aid
    Available
    Programs
    2
    • Accredited institution
    • Financial aid available
    View School & Programs
    60
    Guide Score
  14. 14Rank
    Community CollegeAccredited

    John A Logan College

    Carterville, Illinois
    Starting Tuition
    Not published
    Credentials
    —
    Financial Aid
    Available
    Programs
    2
    • Accredited institution
    • Financial aid available
    View School & Programs
    60
    Guide Score
  15. 15Rank
    Community CollegeAccredited

    Joliet Junior College

    Joliet, Illinois
    Starting Tuition
    Not published
    Credentials
    —
    Financial Aid
    Available
    Programs
    2
    • Accredited institution
    • Financial aid available
    View School & Programs
    60
    Guide Score
  16. 16Rank
    Community CollegeAccredited

    Kaskaskia College

    Centralia, Illinois
    Starting Tuition
    Not published
    Credentials
    —
    Financial Aid
    Available
    Programs
    2
    • Accredited institution
    • Financial aid available
    View School & Programs
    60
    Guide Score
  17. 17Rank
    Community CollegeAccredited

    Morton College

    Cicero, Illinois
    Starting Tuition
    Not published
    Credentials
    —
    Financial Aid
    Available
    Programs
    2
    • Accredited institution
    • Financial aid available
    View School & Programs
    60
    Guide Score
  18. 18Rank
    Community CollegeAccredited

    Parkland College

    Champaign, Illinois
    Starting Tuition
    Not published
    Credentials
    —
    Financial Aid
    Available
    Programs
    2
    • Accredited institution
    • Financial aid available
    View School & Programs
    60
    Guide Score
  19. 19Rank
    Community CollegeAccredited

    Southwestern Illinois College

    Belleville, Illinois
    Starting Tuition
    Not published
    Credentials
    —
    Financial Aid
    Available
    Programs
    2
    • Accredited institution
    • Financial aid available
    View School & Programs
    60
    Guide Score
  20. 20Rank
    Community CollegeAccredited

    Waubonsee Community College

    Sugar Grove, Illinois
    Starting Tuition
    Not published
    Credentials
    —
    Financial Aid
    Available
    Programs
    2
    • Accredited institution
    • Financial aid available
    View School & Programs
    60
    Guide Score
  21. 21Rank
    Community CollegeAccredited

    William Rainey Harper College

    Palatine, Illinois
    Starting Tuition
    Not published
    Credentials
    —
    Financial Aid
    Available
    Programs
    2
    • Accredited institution
    • Financial aid available
    View School & Programs
    60
    Guide Score
  22. 22Rank
    Community CollegeAccredited

    Danville Area Community College

    Danville, Illinois
    Starting Tuition
    Not published
    Credentials
    —
    Financial Aid
    Available
    Programs
    1
    • Accredited institution
    • Financial aid available
    View School & Programs
    55
    Guide Score
  23. 23Rank
    Trade SchoolAccredited

    ETI School of Skilled Trades

    Willowbrook, Illinois
    Starting Tuition
    Not published
    Credentials
    —
    Financial Aid
    Available
    Programs
    1
    • Accredited institution
    • Financial aid available
    View School & Programs
    55
    Guide Score
  24. 24Rank
    Trade SchoolAccredited

    HVAC Technical Institute

    Chicago, Illinois
    Starting Tuition
    Not published
    Credentials
    —
    Financial Aid
    Available
    Programs
    1
    • Accredited institution
    • Financial aid available
    View School & Programs
    55
    Guide Score
  25. 25Rank
    Community CollegeAccredited

    Illinois Eastern Community Colleges

    Olney, Illinois
    Starting Tuition
    Not published
    Credentials
    —
    Financial Aid
    Available
    Programs
    1
    • Accredited institution
    • Financial aid available
    View School & Programs
    55
    Guide Score
  26. 26Rank
    Community CollegeAccredited

    Illinois Valley Community College

    Oglesby, Illinois
    Starting Tuition
    Not published
    Credentials
    —
    Financial Aid
    Available
    Programs
    1
    • Accredited institution
    • Financial aid available
    View School & Programs
    55
    Guide Score
  27. 27Rank
    Community CollegeAccredited

    John Wood Community College

    Quincy, Illinois
    Starting Tuition
    Not published
    Credentials
    —
    Financial Aid
    Available
    Programs
    1
    • Accredited institution
    • Financial aid available
    View School & Programs
    55
    Guide Score
  28. 28Rank
    Community CollegeAccredited

    Lake Land College

    Mattoon, Illinois
    Starting Tuition
    Not published
    Credentials
    —
    Financial Aid
    Available
    Programs
    1
    • Accredited institution
    • Financial aid available
    View School & Programs
    55
    Guide Score
  29. 29Rank
    Community CollegeAccredited

    Lincoln Land Community College

    Springfield, Illinois
    Starting Tuition
    Not published
    Credentials
    —
    Financial Aid
    Available
    Programs
    1
    • Accredited institution
    • Financial aid available
    View School & Programs
    55
    Guide Score
  30. 30Rank
    Community CollegeAccredited

    Prairie State College

    Chicago Heights, Illinois
    Starting Tuition
    Not published
    Credentials
    —
    Financial Aid
    Available
    Programs
    1
    • Accredited institution
    • Financial aid available
    View School & Programs
    55
    Guide Score
  31. 31Rank
    Community CollegeAccredited

    Sauk Valley Community College

    Dixon, Illinois
    Starting Tuition
    Not published
    Credentials
    —
    Financial Aid
    Available
    Programs
    1
    • Accredited institution
    • Financial aid available
    View School & Programs
    55
    Guide Score
  32. 32Rank
    Trade SchoolAccredited

    Stautzenberger College-Rockford Career College

    Rockford, Illinois
    Starting Tuition
    Not published
    Credentials
    —
    Financial Aid
    Available
    Programs
    1
    • Accredited institution
    • Financial aid available
    View School & Programs
    55
    Guide Score
Triton College— programs & tuition →Chicago Professional Center— programs & tuition →Coyne College— programs & tuition →City Colleges of Chicago-Kennedy-King College— programs & tuition →College of DuPage— programs & tuition →Elgin Community College— programs & tuition →Kankakee Community College— programs & tuition →Moraine Valley Community College— programs & tuition →Oakton College— programs & tuition →Richland Community College— programs & tuition →Midwest Technical Institute - Springfield IL— programs & tuition →College of Lake County— programs & tuition →Illinois Central College— programs & tuition →John A Logan College— programs & tuition →Joliet Junior College— programs & tuition →Kaskaskia College— programs & tuition →Morton College— programs & tuition →Parkland College— programs & tuition →Southwestern Illinois College— programs & tuition →Waubonsee Community College— programs & tuition →William Rainey Harper College— programs & tuition →Danville Area Community College— programs & tuition →ETI School of Skilled Trades— programs & tuition →HVAC Technical Institute— programs & tuition →Illinois Eastern Community Colleges— programs & tuition →Illinois Valley Community College— programs & tuition →John Wood Community College— programs & tuition →Lake Land College— programs & tuition →Lincoln Land Community College— programs & tuition →Prairie State College— programs & tuition →Sauk Valley Community College— programs & tuition →Stautzenberger College-Rockford Career College— programs & tuition →

Key Takeaways

The best HVAC school in Illinois for 2026 is Triton College in River Grove (Guide Score 92). Rankings weigh affordability, accreditation, included credentials, program variety, and financial aid — schools cannot pay for higher rankings.

  • #1 Triton College (River Grove) — Guide Score 92, from $6,000
  • #2 Chicago Professional Center (Prospect Heights) — Guide Score 70, from $6,640
  • #3 Coyne College (Chicago) — Guide Score 65, from $18,500
  • #4 City Colleges of Chicago-Kennedy-King College (Chicago) — Guide Score 65
  • #5 College of DuPage (Glen Ellyn) — Guide Score 65
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 Illinois
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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 92 for its combination of affordability, accreditation, included credentials, program variety, and financial aid.
How many HVAC schools are in Illinois?
We currently rank 32 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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