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 tuition, accreditation, included certifications, program variety, and financial aid.

Key Takeaways

The best HVAC school in Texas for 2026 is Houston Community College in Houston (Guide Score 97). Rankings weigh affordability, accreditation, included credentials, program variety, and financial aid — schools cannot pay for higher rankings.

  • #1 Houston Community College (Houston) — Guide Score 97, from $2,800
  • #2 San Jacinto College (Pasadena) — Guide Score 92, from $4,500
  • #3 Austin Community College (Austin) — Guide Score 92, from $4,200
  • #4 Tyler Junior College (Tyler) — Guide Score 92, from $4,800
  • #5 Lincoln Tech - Grand Prairie (Grand Prairie) — Guide Score 71, from $21,800
Texas Rankings

Top HVAC Schools in Texas

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

  1. 1Rank
    Community CollegeAccredited

    Houston Community College

    Houston, Texas
    Starting Tuition
    $2,800
    Credentials
    EPA + NATE
    Financial Aid
    Available
    Programs
    3
    • Accredited (SACSCOC, HVAC Excellence)
    • EPA 608 + NATE prep included
    • 3 HVAC programs to choose from
    • Financial aid available
    View School & Programs
    97
    Guide Score
  2. 2Rank
    Community CollegeAccredited

    San Jacinto College

    Pasadena, Texas
    Starting Tuition
    $4,500
    Credentials
    EPA + NATE
    Financial Aid
    Available
    Programs
    2
    • Accredited (SACSCOC, HVAC Excellence)
    • EPA 608 + NATE prep included
    • Financial aid available
    View School & Programs
    92
    Guide Score
  3. 3Rank
    Community CollegeAccredited

    Austin Community College

    Austin, Texas
    Starting Tuition
    $4,200
    Credentials
    EPA + NATE
    Financial Aid
    Available
    Programs
    2
    • Accredited (SACSCOC, HVAC Excellence)
    • EPA 608 + NATE prep included
    • Financial aid available
    View School & Programs
    92
    Guide Score
  4. 4Rank
    Community CollegeAccredited

    Tyler Junior College

    Tyler, Texas
    Starting Tuition
    $4,800
    Credentials
    EPA + NATE
    Financial Aid
    Available
    Programs
    2
    • Accredited (SACSCOC, HVAC Excellence)
    • EPA 608 + NATE prep included
    • Financial aid available
    View School & Programs
    92
    Guide Score
  5. 5Rank
    Trade SchoolAccredited

    Lincoln Tech - Grand Prairie

    Grand Prairie, Texas
    Starting Tuition
    $21,800
    Credentials
    EPA + NATE
    Financial Aid
    Available
    Programs
    2
    • Accredited (ACCSC)
    • EPA 608 + NATE prep included
    • Financial aid available
    View School & Programs
    71
    Guide Score
  6. 6Rank
    Trade SchoolAccredited

    Central Texas AC & Refrigeration School

    Austin, Texas
    Starting Tuition
    $2,740
    Credentials
    EPA 608
    Financial Aid
    —
    Programs
    1
    • Accredited (Texas Workforce Commission)
    • EPA 608 prep included
    • Most affordable tuition in this ranking
    View School & Programs
    70
    Guide Score
  7. 7Rank
    Trade SchoolAccredited

    Lamson Institute

    San Antonio, Texas
    Starting Tuition
    $17,010
    Credentials
    EPA 608
    Financial Aid
    Available
    Programs
    1
    • Accredited (ACCSC)
    • EPA 608 prep included
    • Financial aid available
    View School & Programs
    66
    Guide Score
  8. 8Rank
    Trade SchoolAccredited

    Universal Technical Institute - Houston

    Houston, Texas
    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
  9. 9Rank
    Trade SchoolAccredited

    Southern Careers Institute - Austin

    Austin, Texas
    Starting Tuition
    $21,438
    Credentials
    EPA 608
    Financial Aid
    Available
    Programs
    1
    • Accredited (COE, Texas Workforce Commission)
    • EPA 608 prep included
    • Financial aid available
    View School & Programs
    62
    Guide Score
Houston Community College— programs & tuition →San Jacinto College— programs & tuition →Austin Community College— programs & tuition →Tyler Junior College— programs & tuition →Lincoln Tech - Grand Prairie— programs & tuition →Central Texas AC & Refrigeration School— programs & tuition →Lamson Institute— programs & tuition →Universal Technical Institute - Houston— programs & tuition →Southern Careers Institute - Austin— 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.

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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 97 for its combination of affordability, accreditation, included credentials, program variety, and financial aid.
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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