Homes and businesses alike are in dire need of heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration (HVAC/R) professionals, who are well-educated and who fully understand the inner-workings of HVACR systems. These complex technical units require very specific knowledge, and these five Online Schools for HVACR Programs provide students with challenging and thorough coursework, as well as experiential, hands-on learning opportunities, through which they learn a new, or perfect an old, trade. On the completion of one of these fine schools’ certificate programs, students will be prepared to sit for any and all licensure exams and enter into the workforce as highly competent professionals.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics lists the job outlook for HVACR Technicians and Engineers at around 4% of the next eight years, which is as fast as average! These professionals typically earn an annual wage of about $48,730 per year.
- What does a career as an HVAC-R Technician entail?
- What kind of education is required to be an HVAC-R Technician?
- What kind of career and salary can I expect with an online certificate in HVAC-R repair?
- Should I work an apprenticeship while becoming an HVAC-R Technician?
- What types of certifications are needed to work in HVAC?
These schools were chosen for several factors that put them ahead of other online programs—due to the following: nature of the coursework, degree of thoroughness and complexity of the curriculum, sufficient financial aid availability, and an education that gives students more than just classroom experience. In developing this list, OnlineSchoolsCenter.com, chose not to list the schools in an ordered way but instead highlighted five of the very best programs, all of which have their own unique strengths.
You may also want to check out our Highest Paying Trade School Careers and Jobs article!
UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL FLORIDA

Program Standouts:
The University of Central Florida has partnered with ed2go.com and HVACReducation.net to offer a nationally recognized online HVACR Certified Technician training program. This renowned school gives students an all-encompassing distance education in Heating, Ventilations, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration that significantly prepares them for their future careers.
Campus Location: Orlando, FL
Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
Tuition and Fees:
- $2,730 per program—full tuition
Types of Aid: Federal and private loans; government funding; military tuition assistance.
Acceptance Rate: 49.9%
Admission Requirements:
Applicants must submit a completed online application, the nonrefundable application fee, official high school or GED transcripts, SAT/ACT scores, and TOEFL scores from students who use English as a second language.
Sampling of Coursework:
- Electrical DC Theory Plus
- Electrical Common Components
- Refrigerant Technology
Degree Outcomes:
As part of the program tuition, this school provides students with paid vouchers that allow them to sit for five certification exams: the NATE OR HVAC Excellence Core and Excellence AC Specialty Exams, and the EPA 608 Type I, II, and III Exams, each of which drastically increases job availability and prowess within the field.
LEARN MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL FLORIDA’S ONLINE HVAC CERTIFICATION PROGRAM
PENN FOSTER CAREER SCHOOL

Program Standouts:
The Penn Foster Career School is one of the oldest and largest online trade schools in the country. This distance education institution provides its students with a comprehensive understanding of the field, and graduates can begin their career path in as little as five months. The school gives students numerous opportunities to further enhance their education within the program as well!
Campus Location: Scranton, PA
Accreditation: Penn Foster Career School is regionally accredited for non-degree granting postsecondary programs by the Commission on Secondary Schools of the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools; Nationally accredited by the Distance Education Accrediting Commission; and accredited as an Authorized Provider by the International Association for Continuing Education and Training (IACET)
Tuition and Fees: Penn Foster offers a quality education at an affordable price. They offer flexible monthly payment plans with 0% interest! Penn Foster Career School is also approved for veteran’s education benefits!
Acceptance Rate: unavailable
Admission Requirements:
Applicants must submit a completed online application, as well as official high school or GED transcripts, and must be at least 18 years of age.
Sampling of Coursework:
- Fundamentals of HVACR
- Electrical Systems
- Residential and Light Commercial HVACR Systems
Degree Outcomes:
Upon completion of the PFCS program, students will have an understanding and knowledge to help them prepare for HVACR certification and receive EPA Certification test voucher and exam registration. Alumni are entered into a vast community of HVACR graduates, through whom they may network and enhance their pathways into the field.
LEARN MORE INFORMATION ABOUT PENN FOSTER CAREER SCHOOL’S ONLINE HVAC TECHNICIAN CAREER DIPLOMA
FERRIS STATE UNIVERSITY

Program Standouts:
According to its website, “Ferris State University is one of only two institutions in the United States to offer a bachelor’s degree in Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration.” Students can choose to either complete an Associate’s Degree in HVACR Technology or a Bachelor’s Degree in HVACR Engineering Technology, as there is a significant difference between the technician and the engineer.
Campus Location: Big Rapids, MI
Accreditation: North Central Association of Colleges and Schools; Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology
Tuition and Fees:
- $392 per credit hour (freshman/sophomore); $403 per credit hour (junior/senior)—in-state tuition
- $588 per credit hour (freshman/sophomore); $605 per credit hour (junior/senior)—out-of-state tuition
- $633 per credit hour (freshman/sophomore); $648 per credit hour (junior/senior)—international tuition
Types of Aid: Institutional and outside scholarship opportunities; federal and private loans; student employment programs; military and veterans’ benefits.
Acceptance Rate: 74.2%
Admission Requirements:
Applicants must submit a completed online application, official high school transcripts, and SAT/ACT scores.
Program Options:
- Associate’s Degree in HVACR Technology
- Bachelor’s Degree in HVACR Engineering Technology
Degree Outcomes:
Depending on the path a particular student chooses to take, their employment opportunities will differ from technicians to engineers. This further depends on whether students want to work in installation or design. In either case, each program covers subject areas such as system and controls design, retrofitting, testing and adjusting, system balancing, and building operations with microcomputer controls.
LEARN MORE INFORMATION ABOUT FERRIS STATE UNIVERSITY’S ONLINE BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN HVAC-R DEGREE PROGRAMS
ASHWORTH COLLEGE

Program Standouts:
Ashworth College is a well-respected online school that offers “one of the most affordable heating and air conditioning training programs available.” The curriculum follows industry standards and provides students with virtual field trips, crucial techniques, and special activities designed to enhance education.
Campus Location: Norcross, GA
Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools; Distance Education Accrediting Commission
Tuition and Fees:
- $659 with full payment; $709 with auto monthly payments; $799 with manual monthly payments—tuition
Types of Aid: Low tuition costs; various highly affordable monthly payment plans that start as low as $49/mo; family tuition discounts; student referral bonuses; periodic savings opportunities.
Acceptance Rate: 100%
Admission Requirements:
None, unless otherwise specified from individual students.
Sampling of Coursework:
- Residential Air Conditioning Systems
- HVAC/R Installation, Maintenance, and Troubleshooting
- Heat Pump Systems
Degree Outcomes:
Upon completion of this program, students will have the knowledge to sit for all three sections of the ESCO Institute’s EPA Section 608 Certification Exam, as well as any state’s licensure or certification procedures. This online school gives students the resources to emerge into an incredibly important industry that is highly in need of educated individuals.
LEARN MORE INFORMATION ABOUT ASHWORTH COLLEGE’S ONLINE HEATING AND AIR CONDITIONING PROGRAM
AIR CONDITIONING CONTRACTORS OF AMERICA

Program Standouts:
The Air Conditioning Contractors of America Residential HVAC Online Certificate Program provides an array of coursework that can be completed in as little time as possible. Designed for students of all backgrounds, both technical and nontechnical, students work through complex video classes and coursework modules in which they learn the design, application, and maintenance of complex heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems.
Campus Location: Arlington, VA
Accreditation: ACCA is, itself, an accrediting body.
Tuition and Fees:
- $495 full program—non-ACCA member tuition
- $395 full program—ACCA member tuition
Types of Aid: Super low tuition costs; discounts for ACCA members.
Acceptance Rate: unavailable
Admission Requirements:
No admission requirements.
Sampling of Coursework:
- Airflow Basics
- Testing and Balancing
- Use in Load Calculation and Air Distribution
Degree Outcomes:
This complex program ensures that students are well-prepared to enter into each section of the class, as well as into the workforce itself. The certificate is designed to expire every five years so that students will continue to learn and understand any updates to HVAC systems. ACCA is partnered with numerous impressive corporations, and students have majorly beneficial networking connections upon graduation from this online school.