# Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician (HAC, HACR, HVAC, HVACR)

> A program that prepares individuals to apply technical knowledge and skills to repair, install, service and maintain the operating condition of heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration systems. Includes instruction in diagnostic techniques, the use of testing equipment and the principles of mechanics, electricity, and electronics as they relate to the repair of heating, air conditioning and refrigeration systems.

- Edition: Data verified Nov 2026 · CollegesRef 2026–27 edition
- Page: https://www.collegesref.com/programs/heating-air-conditioning-ventilation-and-refrigeration-maintenance-technology-technician-hac-hacr-hvac-hvacr
- CIP code: 47.02 (Mechanic and Repair Technologies/Technicians)
- Colleges offering it: 415 at its most common degree level

## Outcomes by degree level (College Scorecard, 2025)

| Degree level | Colleges | Median earnings 1 yr | Median earnings 4 yrs | Median federal debt |
| --- | ---: | ---: | ---: | ---: |
| Certificate | 415 | $43,344 | $49,588 | $12,961 |
| Associate's | 246 | $45,853 | $61,026 | $16,982 |
| Bachelor's | 1 | not reported | not reported | not reported |

## Colleges whose graduates earn the most (Associate's)

Only programs with at least 10 graduates are listed.

| College | Location | Median earnings 4 yrs | Median debt |
| --- | --- | ---: | ---: |
| [Minneapolis Community and Technical College](https://www.collegesref.com/college/minneapolis-community-and-technical-college-1717) | Minneapolis, MN | $87,786 | not reported |
| [Hennepin Technical College](https://www.collegesref.com/college/hennepin-technical-college-1182) | Brooklyn Park, MN | $86,733 | $11,435 |
| [Century College](https://www.collegesref.com/college/century-college-486) | White Bear Lake, MN | $76,972 | not reported |
| [Dunwoody College of Technology](https://www.collegesref.com/college/dunwoody-college-of-technology-838) | Minneapolis, MN | $75,499 | $12,000 |
| [Northern Virginia Community College](https://www.collegesref.com/college/northern-virginia-community-college-1936) | Annandale, VA | $75,318 | not reported |
| [Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology](https://www.collegesref.com/college/oklahoma-state-university-institute-of-technology-2018) | Okmulgee, OK | $68,072 | $12,000 |
| [Pikes Peak Community College](https://www.collegesref.com/college/pikes-peak-community-college-2115) | Colorado Springs, CO | $67,308 | not reported |
| [Southeast Community College Area](https://www.collegesref.com/college/southeast-community-college-area-2468) | Lincoln, NE | $65,462 | $7,671 |
| [Hudson Valley Community College-New York](https://www.collegesref.com/college/hudson-valley-community-college-new-york-1241) | Troy, NY | $64,515 | $8,195 |
| [Ivy Tech Community College](https://www.collegesref.com/college/ivy-tech-community-college-1314) | Indianapolis, IN | $63,337 | $10,168 |

## Related careers (NCES CIP–SOC crosswalk)

- [Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/heating-air-conditioning-and-refrigeration-mechanics-and-installers): $61,010 median pay

## More in Mechanic and Repair Technologies/Technicians

- [Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/vehicle-maintenance-and-repair-technologies-technicians): 668 colleges
- [Heavy/Industrial Equipment Maintenance Technologies/Technicians](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/heavy-industrial-equipment-maintenance-technologies-technicians): 273 colleges
- [Electrical/Electronics Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/electrical-electronics-maintenance-and-repair-technologies-technicians): 267 colleges
- [Mechanic and Repair Technologies/Technicians, Other](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/mechanic-and-repair-technologies-technicians-other): 38 colleges
- [Precision Systems Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/precision-systems-maintenance-and-repair-technologies-technicians): 26 colleges
- Energy Systems Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians: 14 colleges
- Mechanics and Repairers, General: 11 colleges

## Sources

- U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard field-of-study data, 2025: https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/data/
- NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) 2020: https://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/cipcode/