Key Takeaways
The Heating, Air Conditioning, Refrigeration Technology, Diploma at Des Moines Area Community College is a in-person diploma program lasting 1 year with tuition of $5,790.
Three-term diploma covering the first phase of the HVAC-R curriculum, qualifying graduates for entry-level installer and service technician roles while stacking directly into the AAS degree.
At $5,790 in total tuition, this program is below the Iowa median of $8,685. Its 1 year timeline is shorter than the state norm of 1.5 years. It includes EPA Section 608 prep and financial aid.
HVAC technicians in Iowa earn a median of $47,710 per year (BLS OEWS), ranging from about $31,870 early in a career to over $68,210 for seasoned techs — so a program at this price point typically pays for itself within the first year or two on the job.
Upon completion you will earn a diploma in HVAC/R. This in-person program takes 1 year to complete.