Heating and Air Conditioning (Hvac)
Program Summary
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.
Discover More About a Degree in Heating and Air Conditioning (Hvac)

What is Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning Technology?
Individuals working in the field of heating, ventilation and air conditioning, also known as HVAC, are responsible for the installment and maintenance of systems used to maintain varying temperatures in a given structure. Such structures may include homes, office buildings, warehouses, or any other building that requires one or all of the above mentioned systems. Individuals trained in this field will be able to fully and competently implement these systems, ensure their functionality, maintain them annually and properly train customers in the proper use and care of the system. In case of malfunction technicians will also be required to conduct repairs.
Educational Requirements
A degree in HVAC demonstrates that an individual is prepared to install, maintain and repair those systems in a home or office setting. Most individuals will pursue a degree or certificate/diploma through a vocational school or community college, which will take between 6 months and 2 years depending on the program. Sponsored apprenticeships are also available, and individuals will be considered skilled laborers once the apprenticeship is completed.
Programs in heating and air conditioning will combine classroom courses with practical experience, allowing students be exposed to the various systems they will have to work with and how to diagnose and repair problems within those systems. Additionally, students will learn how to read blueprints and diagrams in order to identify electrical systems and other features within the building they will be installing such systems in. graduates of such programs will have a strong understanding of heating and air conditioning systems and will be ready to enter the workforce at entry level positions.
An HVAC curriculum may include:
- Trade Math
- Piping and Ductwork
- Systems Design
- Control and Energy Management Systems
- Applied Physics
Employment Certification and Licensure
Individuals may work with professional firms, individual contractors, repair companies or form their own business. Individuals may also pursue an apprenticeship in order to obtain work experience prior to pursuing a career or opening their own business. The work involved in HVAC is labor intensive, and the equipment installed requires regular maintenance. Due to this, it is important that an individual maintain a healthy relationship with his or her clients in order to annual maintenance and repeat business.
Salary, Job Growth and Related Fields
The average salary of an HVAC technician is $39,500 per year, with the lowest 10% earning less than $25,400 per year. Increases in salary are based on experience and location, with areas with a larger population having more work available, a higher demand for installation and repair, and a higher tolerance for competition.
HVAC jobs are expected to grow much faster than average. Individuals interested in a career in HVAC should work well with others, be patient with clients, have a solid math foundation, able to lift heavy objects, and capable of reading and following schematics. Some states may require licensing in order to work, and the requirements will vary between those states, though some amount of work experience and a state issued test are usually required. Additionally, individuals who pursue certification from a national certifying body, particularly those who familiarize themselves with computer systems, will find more job opportunities than those who do not.
Individuals interested in entering an HVAC program may also consider a program in plumbing, electrician, refrigeration.
Top Schools That Offer a Heating and Air Conditioning (Hvac) Degree or Program
4-Year Colleges and Universities
| Arkansas Tech University | |
- Russellville, AR
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| Benjamin Franklin Institute of Technology | |
- Boston, MA
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| Bismarck State College | |
- Bismarck, ND
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| Brazosport College | |
- Lake Jackson, TX
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| College of Central Florida | |
- Ocala, FL
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| College of Southern Nevada | |
- Las Vegas, NV
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| Daytona State College | |
- Daytona Beach, FL
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| Dunwoody College of Technology | |
- Minneapolis, MN
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| Florida State College at Jacksonville | |
- Jacksonville, FL
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| Indian River State College | |
- Fort Pierce, FL
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| Lewis - Clark State College | |
- Lewiston, ID
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| Lincoln College of Technology-West Palm Beach | |
- West Palm Beach, FL
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| Miami Dade College | |
- Miami, FL
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| Montana State University - Billings | |
- Billings, MT
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| Northern Michigan University | |
- Marquette, MI
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| Oakland City University | |
- Oakland City, IN
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| Oglala Lakota College | |
- Kyle, SD
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| Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology - Okmulgee | |
- Okmulgee, OK
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| Palm Beach State College | |
- Lake Worth, FL
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| Pensacola State College | |
- Pensacola, FL
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| Santa Fe Community College | |
- Gainesville, FL
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| Seminole State College of Florida | |
- Sanford, FL
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| South Texas College | |
- McAllen, TX
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| Suny College of Technology at Canton | |
- Canton, NY
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| Suny College of Technology at Delhi | |
- Delhi, NY
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| The University of Texas at Brownsville and Texas Southmost College | |
- Brownsville, TX
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| University of Alaska Anchorage | |
- Anchorage, AK
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| University of Northwestern Ohio | |
- Lima, OH
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| Utah Valley University | |
- Orem, UT
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| Vatterott College-Berkeley | |
- Berkeley, MO
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| Vincennes University | |
- Vincennes, IN
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| West Virginia University at Parkersburg | |
- Parkersburg, WV
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Community Colleges
| Acadiana Technical College - Lafayette | |
- Lafayette, LA
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| Albany Technical College | |
- Albany, GA
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| Altamaha Technical College | |
- Jesup, GA
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| Athens Technical College | |
- Athens, GA
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| Atlanta Technical College | |
- Atlanta, GA
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| Bluegrass Community and Technical College | |
- Lexington, KY
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| Bowling Green Technical College | |
- Bowling Green, KY
| Tuition and Fees
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| Central Georgia Technical College | |
- Macon, GA
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| Central Piedmont Community College | |
- Charlotte, NC
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| Chattahoochee Technical College | |
- Marietta, GA
| Tuition and Fees
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| Cochise College | |
- Douglas, AZ
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| College of Lake County | |
- Grayslake, IL
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| Columbus Technical College | |
- Columbus, GA
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| Davidson County Community College | |
- Thomasville, NC
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| Delta College | |
- University Center, MI
| Tuition and Fees
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| Eastern Arizona College | |
- Thatcher, AZ
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| Eastfield College | |
- Mesquite, TX
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| Elgin Community College | |
- Elgin, IL
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| Georgia Piedmont Technical College | |
- Clarkston, GA
| Tuition and Fees
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| Greenville Technical College | |
- Greenville, SC
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| Guilford Technical Community College | |
- Jamestown, NC
| Tuition and Fees
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| Gwinnett Technical College | |
- Lawrenceville, GA
| Tuition and Fees
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| Harper College | |
- Palatine, IL
| Tuition and Fees
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| Harrisburg Area Community College - Harrisburg | |
- Harrisburg, PA
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| Hazard Community and Technical College | |
- Hazard, KY
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| Hennepin Technical College | |
- Brooklyn Park, MN
| Tuition and Fees
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| Jefferson Community and Technical College | |
- Louisville, KY
| Tuition and Fees
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| Lone Star College - Montgomery | |
- The Woodlands, TX
| Tuition and Fees
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| Louisiana Technical College - Baton Rouge Campus | |
- Baton Rouge, LA
| Tuition and Fees
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| Louisiana Technical College - Northwest Louisiana Campus | |
- Minden, LA
| Tuition and Fees
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| Maysville Community and Technical College | |
- Maysville, KY
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| Mohave Community College | |
- Kingman, AZ
| Tuition and Fees
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| Moraine Valley Community College | |
- Palos Hills, IL
| Tuition and Fees
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| North Georgia Technical College | |
- Clarkesville, GA
| Tuition and Fees
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| Oconee Fall Line Technical College | |
- Sandersville, GA
| Tuition and Fees
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| Paris Junior College | |
- Paris, TX
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| Portland Community College | |
- Portland, OR
| Tuition and Fees
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| Rowan - Cabarrus Community College | |
- Salisbury, NC
| Tuition and Fees
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| San Jacinto College | |
- Pasadena, TX
| Tuition and Fees
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| Sauk Valley Community College | |
- Dixon, IL
| Tuition and Fees
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| Savannah Technical College | |
- Savannah, GA
| Tuition and Fees
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| Somerset Community College | |
- Somerset, KY
| Tuition and Fees
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| South Central Louisiana Technical College - Young Memorial Campus | |
- Morgan City, LA
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| Southern Crescent Technical College | |
- Griffin, GA
| Tuition and Fees
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| Tyler Junior College | |
- Tyler, TX
| Tuition and Fees
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| Wake Technical Community College | |
- Raleigh, NC
| Tuition and Fees
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| Wiregrass Georgia Technical College | |
- Valdosta, GA
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| York Technical College | |
- Rock Hill, SC
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Technical Colleges
| Atlantic Technical Center | |
- Coconut Creek, FL
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| Tennessee Technology Center at Nashville | |
- Nashville, TN
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Career Colleges
| Adult & Continuing Education - Bcts | |
- Hackensack, NJ
| 2011-12 Largest Program Tuition and Fees
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| Advanced Technology Institute | |
- Virginia Beach, VA
| Tuition and Fees
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| Advanced Training Institute | |
- Las Vegas, NV
| 2011-12 Largest Program Tuition and Fees
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| All - State Career School | |
- Baltimore, MD
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| American Air Conditioning Academy | |
- Maple Heights, OH
| 2011-12 Largest Program Tuition and Fees
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| American School of Business | |
- Shreveport, LA
| 2011-12 Largest Program Tuition and Fees
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| American School of Technology | |
- Columbus, OH
| 2011-12 Largest Program Tuition and Fees
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| American Trade School | |
- Saint Ann, MO
| 2011-12 Largest Program Tuition and Fees
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| Apex Technical School | |
- New York, NY
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| Arizona Automotive Institute | |
- Glendale, AZ
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| Ashtabula County Technical and Career Campus | |
- Jefferson, OH
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| Ati Career Training Center-Albuquerque | |
- Albuquerque, NM
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| Ati Career Training Center-Houston | |
- Houston, TX
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| Ati Career Training Center-North Richland Hills | |
- North Richland Hills, TX
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| Ati Career Training Center-Oakland Park | |
- Oakland Park, FL
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| Ati Career Training Center-Waco | |
- Waco, TX
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| Ati Technical Training Center | |
- Dallas, TX
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| Auburn Career Center | |
- Concord Twp, OH
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| Avtec-Alaska's Institute of Technology | |
- Seward, AK
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| Ayers Career College | |
- Shreveport, LA
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| Bay State School of Technology | |
- Canton, MA
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| Blue Cliff College - Houma | |
- Houma, LA
| Tuition and Fees
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| Branford Hall Career Institute - Springfield Campus | |
- Springfield, MA
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| Bristol Technical Education Center | |
- Bristol, CT
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| Brownson Technical School | |
- Anaheim, CA
| 2011-12 Largest Program Tuition and Fees
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| Butler Tech - D Russel Lee Career Center | |
- Hamilton, OH
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| Canadian Valley Technology Center | |
- El Reno, OK
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| Capstone College | |
- Van Nuys, CA
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| Career Centers of Texas - Brownsville | |
- Brownsville, TX
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| Career College of Northern Nevada | |
- Sparks, NV
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| Central Pennsylvania Institute of Science and Technology | |
- Pleasant Gap, PA
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| Centura College-Columbia | |
- Columbia, SC
| Tuition and Fees
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| Cet - Alexandria | |
- Alexandria, VA
| 2011-12 Largest Program Tuition and Fees
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| Cet - Coachella | |
- Coachella, CA
| 2011-12 Largest Program Tuition and Fees
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| Cet - Sacramento | |
- Sacramento, CA
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| Cet - San Bernardino | |
- San Bernardino, CA
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| Chi Institute - Broomall | |
- Broomall, PA
| 2011-12 Largest Program Tuition and Fees
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| Clinton Technical School | |
- Clinton, MO
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| Coyne College | |
- Chicago, IL
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| Crowleys Ridge Technical Institute | |
- Forrest City, AR
| Tuition and Fees
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| Delta Technical College | |
- Horn Lake, MS
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| East Valley Institute of Technology | |
- Mesa, AZ
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| Eastern Oklahoma County Technology Center | |
- Choctaw, OK
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| Eastland - Fairfield Career and Technical Schools | |
- Groveport, OH
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| Emily Griffith Technical College | |
- Denver, CO
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| Environmental Technical Institute-Blue Island | |
- Blue Island, IL
| 2011-12 Largest Program Tuition and Fees
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| Environmental Technical Institute-Itasca | |
- Itasca, IL
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| Eti Technical College | |
- Niles, OH
| Tuition and Fees
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| First Coast Technical College | |
- Saint Augustine, FL
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| Florida Technical College | |
- Orlando, FL
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| Fortis College | |
- Akron, OH
| 2011-12 Largest Program Tuition and Fees
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| Fortis College | |
- Smyrna, GA
| Tuition and Fees
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| Fortis College-Foley | |
- Foley, AL
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| Fortis College-Indianapolis | |
- Indianapolis, IN
| Tuition and Fees
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| Fortis College-Montgomery | |
- Montgomery, AL
| Tuition and Fees
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| Fortis Institute-Forty Fort | |
- Forty Fort, PA
| Tuition and Fees
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| Fortis Institute-Pensacola | |
- Pensacola, FL
| Tuition and Fees
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| Franklin Technology - Mssu | |
- Joplin, MO
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| George Stone Career Center | |
- Pensacola, FL
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| Greater Altoona Career & Technology Center | |
- Altoona, PA
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| Greater Johnstown Career and Technology Center | |
- Johnstown, PA
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| Greene County Vocational School District | |
- Xenia, OH
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| Hi-Point Career Center | |
- Bellefontaine, OH
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Average User Rating | |
| Hohokus School - Rets Nutley | |
- Nutley, NJ
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| Indian Capital Technology Center - Sallisaw | |
- Sallisaw, OK
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| Indiana County Technology Center | |
- Indiana, PA
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| Institute of Technology Inc | |
- Clovis, CA
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| Intellitec College - Colorado Springs | |
- Colorado Springs, CO
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| Iti Technical College | |
- Baton Rouge, LA
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| Johnson College | |
- Scranton, PA
| Tuition and Fees
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| Kaplan Career Institute-Brooklyn | |
- Brooklyn, OH
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| Kaplan Career Institute-Charlestown | |
- Charlestown, MA
| 2011-12 Largest Program Tuition and Fees
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| Kaplan College-Dayton | |
- Dayton, OH
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| Kiamichi Technology Center - Mcalester | |
- McAlester, OK
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| Kiamichi Technology Center - Poteau | |
- Poteau, OK
| 2011-12 Largest Program Tuition and Fees
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| Knox County Career Center | |
- Mount Vernon, OH
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| Lancaster County Career and Technology Center | |
- Willow Street, PA
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| Laurus Technical Institute | |
- Decatur, GA
| 2011-12 Largest Program Tuition and Fees
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| Lincoln College of Technology-Grand Prairie | |
- Grand Prairie, TX
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| Marchman Technical Education Center | |
- New Port Richey, FL
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| Mayfield College | |
- Cathedral City, CA
| Tuition and Fees
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| Medina County Career Center | |
- Medina, OH
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| Miami Valley Career Technology Center | |
- Clayton, OH
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| Mid - America Technology Center | |
- Wayne, OK
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| Mid - Del Technology Center | |
- Midwest City, OK
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| Midwest Institute | |
- Fenton, MO
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| Midwest Technical Institute | |
- Moline, IL
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| Midwest Technical Institute-East Peoria | |
- East Peoria, IL
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| Midwest Technical Institute-Springfield | |
- Springfield, IL
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| Monongalia County Technical Education Center | |
- Morgantown, WV
| Tuition and Fees
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| New Castle School of Trades | |
- New Castle, PA
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| North American Trade Schools | |
- Baltimore, MD
| 2011-12 Largest Program Tuition and Fees
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| Northeast Technical Institute | |
- Scarborough, ME
| Tuition and Fees
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| Northland Career Center | |
- Platte City, MO
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| Northwest Hvac - R Training Center | |
- Spokane, WA
| 2011-12 Largest Program Tuition and Fees
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| Northwest Technical Institute | |
- Springdale, AR
| Tuition and Fees
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| Ocean County Vocational - Technical School | |
- Toms River, NJ
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| Onondaga Cortland Madison Boces | |
- Liverpool, NY
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| Orleans Technical Institute | |
- Philadelphia, PA
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| Penn Commercial Business - Technical School | |
- Washington, PA
| Tuition and Fees
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| Pennco Tech-Blackwood | |
- Blackwood, NJ
| 2011-12 Largest Program Tuition and Fees
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| Pennco Tech-Bristol | |
- Bristol, PA
| 2011-12 Largest Program Tuition and Fees
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| Penta County Joint Vocational School | |
- Perrysburg, OH
| 2011-12 Largest Program Tuition and Fees
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| Perry Technical Institute | |
- Yakima, WA
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| Pickaway Ross Joint Vocational School District | |
- Chillicothe, OH
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| Pinnacle Career Institute-North Kansas City | |
- Kansas City, MO
| Tuition and Fees
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| Pittsburgh Technical Institute | |
- Oakdale, PA
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| Poplar Bluff School District Practical Nurse Program | |
- Poplar Bluff, MO
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| Porter and Chester Institute of Branford | |
- Branford, CT
| Tuition and Fees
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| Porter and Chester Institute of Stratford | |
- Stratford, CT
| Tuition and Fees
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| Ralph R Willis Career and Technical Center | |
- Stollings, WV
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| Red River Technology Center | |
- Duncan, OK
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| Redstone College | |
- Broomfield, CO
| Tuition and Fees
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| Remington College - Memphis Campus | |
- Memphis, TN
| Tuition and Fees
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| South Central Career Center | |
- West Plains, MO
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| South Texas Vo - Tech Institute | |
- Weslaco, TX
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| South Texas Vocational Technical Institute-Corpus Christi | |
- Corpus Christi, TX
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| South Texas Vocational Technical Institute-San Antonio | |
- San Antonio, TX
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| Southern Technical College | |
- Sanford, FL
| 2011-12 Largest Program Tuition and Fees
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| Technical Education Center - Osceola | |
- Kissimmee, FL
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| Tesst College of Technology - Baltimore | |
- Baltimore, MD
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| Tidewater Tech - Trades | |
- Norfolk, VA
| Tuition and Fees
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| Tri - State Institute | |
- Birmingham, AL
| Tuition and Fees
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| Triangle Tech Inc - Greensburg | |
- Greensburg, PA
| Tuition and Fees
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| Triangle Tech Inc - Pittsburgh | |
- Pittsburgh, PA
| Tuition and Fees
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| Twin Rivers Adult School | |
- North Highlands, CA
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| Upper Valley Career Center | |
- Piqua, OH
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| Vatterot College - O'fallon Campus | |
- St Charles, MO
| Tuition and Fees
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| Vatterott Career College - Memphis | |
- Memphis, TN
| Tuition and Fees
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| Vatterott College - Cleveland | |
- Broadview Heights, OH
| Tuition and Fees
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| Vatterott College - Spring Valley Campus | |
- Omaha, NE
| Tuition and Fees
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| Vatterott College - Tulsa | |
- Tulsa, OK
| Tuition and Fees
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| Vatterott College - Wichita | |
- Wichita, KS
| Tuition and Fees
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| Vatterott College-Des Moines | |
- Des Moines, IA
| Tuition and Fees
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| Vatterott College-Kansas City | |
- Kansas City, MO
| Tuition and Fees
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| Vatterott College-Oklahoma City | |
- Warr Acres, OK
| Tuition and Fees
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| Vatterott College-Quincy | |
- Quincy, IL
| Tuition and Fees
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| Vatterott College-Springfield | |
- Springfield, MO
| Tuition and Fees
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| Vatterott Education Center | |
- Dallas, TX
| |
| Washburn Institute of Technology | |
- Topeka, KS
| |
| Washington County Career Center - Adult Technical Training | |
- Marietta, OH
| |
| Waynesville Career Center | |
- Waynesville, MO
| |
| Wes Watkins Technology Center | |
- Wetumka, OK
| |
| William Moore College of Technology | |
- Memphis, TN
| Tuition and Fees
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