Home/Best HVAC Schools/Texas
2026 Rankings · TX

Best HVAC Schools
in Texas

The top 9 accredited HVAC training schools in Texas for 2026, ranked by job placement, tuition, accreditation, and included certifications.

Key Takeaways

The best HVAC school in Texas for 2026 is Houston Community College in Houston (Guide Score 92). Rankings weigh job placement, affordability, accreditation, graduation rate, and included certifications — schools cannot pay for placement.

  • #1 Houston Community College (Houston) — Guide Score 92, from $2,800
  • #2 San Jacinto College (Pasadena) — Guide Score 89, from $4,500
  • #3 Tyler Junior College (Tyler) — Guide Score 89, from $4,800
  • #4 Austin Community College (Austin) — Guide Score 88, from $4,200
  • #5 Central Texas AC & Refrigeration School (Austin) — Guide Score 75, from $2,740
Texas Rankings

Top HVAC Schools in Texas

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

  1. 1Rank
    Community CollegeAccredited

    Houston Community College

    Houston, Texas
    Starting Tuition
    $2,800
    Job Placement
    84%
    Grad Rate
    82%
    Programs
    3
    • 84% average job placement
    • Accredited (SACSCOC, HVAC Excellence)
    • EPA 608 + NATE prep included
    • 3 HVAC programs to choose from
    View School & Programs
    92
    Guide Score
  2. 2Rank
    Community CollegeAccredited

    San Jacinto College

    Pasadena, Texas
    Starting Tuition
    $4,500
    Job Placement
    89%
    Grad Rate
    82%
    Programs
    2
    • 89% average job placement
    • Accredited (SACSCOC, HVAC Excellence)
    • EPA 608 + NATE prep included
    • Financial aid available
    View School & Programs
    89
    Guide Score
  3. 3Rank
    Community CollegeAccredited

    Tyler Junior College

    Tyler, Texas
    Starting Tuition
    $4,800
    Job Placement
    89%
    Grad Rate
    85%
    Programs
    2
    • 89% average job placement
    • Accredited (SACSCOC, HVAC Excellence)
    • EPA 608 + NATE prep included
    • Financial aid available
    View School & Programs
    89
    Guide Score
  4. 4Rank
    Community CollegeAccredited

    Austin Community College

    Austin, Texas
    Starting Tuition
    $4,200
    Job Placement
    88%
    Grad Rate
    81%
    Programs
    2
    • 88% average job placement
    • Accredited (SACSCOC, HVAC Excellence)
    • EPA 608 + NATE prep included
    • Financial aid available
    View School & Programs
    88
    Guide Score
  5. 5Rank
    Trade SchoolAccredited

    Central Texas AC & Refrigeration School

    Austin, Texas
    Starting Tuition
    $2,740
    Job Placement
    75%
    Grad Rate
    88%
    Programs
    1
    • Accredited (Texas Workforce Commission)
    • EPA 608 prep included
    • Most affordable tuition in this ranking
    View School & Programs
    75
    Guide Score
  6. 6Rank
    Trade SchoolAccredited

    Lincoln Tech - Grand Prairie

    Grand Prairie, Texas
    Starting Tuition
    $21,800
    Job Placement
    83%
    Grad Rate
    69%
    Programs
    2
    • 83% average job placement
    • Accredited (ACCSC)
    • EPA 608 + NATE prep included
    • Financial aid available
    View School & Programs
    72
    Guide Score
  7. 7Rank
    Trade SchoolAccredited

    Lamson Institute

    San Antonio, Texas
    Starting Tuition
    $17,010
    Job Placement
    82%
    Grad Rate
    75%
    Programs
    1
    • 82% average job placement
    • Accredited (ACCSC)
    • EPA 608 prep included
    • Financial aid available
    View School & Programs
    71
    Guide Score
  8. 8Rank
    Trade SchoolAccredited

    Universal Technical Institute - Houston

    Houston, Texas
    Starting Tuition
    $33,400
    Job Placement
    86%
    Grad Rate
    70%
    Programs
    2
    • 86% average job placement
    • Accredited (ACCSC)
    • EPA 608 + NATE prep included
    • Financial aid available
    View School & Programs
    69
    Guide Score
  9. 9Rank
    Trade SchoolAccredited

    Southern Careers Institute - Austin

    Austin, Texas
    Starting Tuition
    $21,438
    Job Placement
    80%
    Grad Rate
    51%
    Programs
    1
    • 80% average job placement
    • Accredited (COE, Texas Workforce Commission)
    • EPA 608 prep included
    • Financial aid available
    View School & Programs
    64
    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 Texas: Common Questions
What is the best HVAC school in Texas?
Houston Community College in Houston ranks first among the HVAC schools we track in Texas, earning a Guide Score of 92 for its combination of job placement, affordability, accreditation, and included certifications.
How many HVAC schools are in Texas?
We currently rank 9 accredited HVAC schools in Texas, offering certificate, diploma, and associate-degree programs plus EPA 608 exam prep.
How much do HVAC technicians make in Texas?
The median HVAC technician wage in Texas is $46,580 per year, with top earners (90th percentile) making $66,790.
Do you need a license to do HVAC work in Texas?
Yes. Texas requires HVAC licensing, regulated by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR). EPA Section 608 certification is also federally required to handle refrigerants.
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