10 Best HVAC Schools inNebraska

1Southeast Community College

About the School

Southeast Community College offers degree, certificate, and diploma options for students who want to start rewarding careers.

The programs cover a wide range of in-demand industries.

Courses are available at three campuses: Beatrice, Lincoln, and Milford.

Southeast Community College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

Courses Offered

The College’s catalog includes a Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Technology program that can lead to an Associate of Applied Science or Diploma, depending on the chosen pathway.

The program is available in Milford.

The four-semester A.A.S. program teaches students how to design, build, install, maintain, service, troubleshoot, and repair systems.

Students take lecture and lab courses during their first three semesters of training.

The final semester equips them with hands-on work experience through the school’s Cooperative Education Experience.

Tuition for the four-semester HVAC program is $11,320.

Students need 60 hours for the Associate of Applied Science degree and 25 hours for the Diploma.

HVAC students take classes on topics such as:

• Electrical Theory and Lab
• Refrigeration Systems
• Piping Practices
• Refrigeration Lab
• Residential Controls
• Sheet Metal Fabrication
• And many more

Contact Information

• Address: 600 State St. Milford, NE 68405
• Phone: 402-761-2131
• Website: https://www.southeast.edu

2Central Community College

About the School

Central Community College provides educational programs in a variety of areas of study.

The College’s catalog includes 37 career and technical education programs that can lead to a degree, diploma, or certificate in two years or less of full-time study.

Students also have the option to transfer to a four-year college or university and complete a bachelor’s degree.

Courses Offered

Central Community College provides a Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration program that is available in Hastings.

The program covers all the aspects of this industry and allows students to choose a specialization in heating and air conditioning, residential refrigeration, and commercial refrigeration.

Tuition and fees sum up to $107 per credit hour for Nebraska residents.

Nebraska residents spend approximately $6,600 to complete the 62 credits required for the Associate of Applied Science degree.

Diploma and Certificate options are also available.

Students need 32 credits for a Diploma and 12 credits for a Certificate.

The HVAC diploma curriculum covers topics on:

• Orientation Safety and Hand Tools
• Principles of Refrigeration Cycle
• Basic Service Operations
• Electrical Theory
• EPA 608 Certification Exam
• Hermetic System Servicing
• HVAC Lab Applications
• And more

Contact Information

• Address: 550 S. Technical Blvd. P.O. Box 1024 Hastings, NE 68902-1024
• Phone: 877-222-0780
• Website: https://www.cccneb.edu

3Western Nebraska Community College

About the School

Western Nebraska Community College offers training programs at its three campuses in Alliance, Scottsbluff, and Sidney.

Online options are also available to allow students to learn at their own pace, from the comfort of their homes.

Western Nebraska Community College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

Courses Offered

The Western Nebraska Community College catalog includes a variety of trade education programs, including one in Automotive Technology, in Diesel, Truck, and Heavy Equipment Technology, and one in Pre (Engineering).

The Automotive Technology program includes a course in Automotive Heating and Air Conditioning.

The Heavy Equipment Technology program includes classes that teach students how to repair engines, powertrains, and electrical systems, as well as heating-ventilation-air conditioning equipment.

The programs can lead to an Associate of Applied Science, as well as a Diploma or Certificate, depending on the number of credits required.

Students need between 61-64 credits for an Associate of Applied Science and 19 credits for an Advanced Electrical/Mechanical Certificate.

Contact Information

• Address: 1750 Sweetwater Ave. Alliance, NE 69301
• Phone: 308.763.2000
• Website: https://www.wncc.edu

4Northeast Community College

About the School

Northeast Community College offers education programs in more than 130 areas of study.

Tuition is $108 per credit hour for resident students.

Fees add $20 per credit hour to the total cost.

Northeast Community College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission- an agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Northeast offers two-year Associate Degrees programs, one-year Diplomas, and Certificates.

Non-credit and continuing education programs are also available.

In total, there are 16 career fields covered by the programs available at Northeast Community College and 130 different programs.

Courses Offered

The College’s catalog includes a Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning program that leads to an Associate of Applied Science Degree.

Students need to complete a minimum of 78 credit hours to achieve the degree.

The curriculum includes courses such as:

• Electricity for HVAC
• Basic Refrigeration Principles
• Sheet Metal
• HVAC Controls
• Heating Technology
• Commercial Refrigeration
• Heat Pump Technology
• Commercial Air Conditioning and Refrigeration
• And more

Classes combine classroom instruction with labs to equip students with the hands-on skills needed for employment.

Contact Information

• Address: 801 East Benjamin Avenue, Norfolk, Nebraska 68701
• Phone: (402) 371-2020
• Website: https://northeast.edu

5The Career Academy

About the School

A joint venture between Lincoln Public Schools and Southeast Community College, The Career Academy offers training programs in a variety of career pathways, including Agriculture/Bioscience, Culinary, Construction, and Engineering.

Programs are available in 16 different career pathways and allow students to earn dual credit.

The Construction pathway prepares students for careers as Cabinet Makers, Crew Foremen, Estimators, Finish Carpenters, Construction Electricians, as well as HVAC Maintenance Specialists, and other construction-related positions.

This pathway is available for 11th and 12th graders.

During the school year, students attend classes at the Career Academy for two hours per day and take the remaining classes at their high school.

The college recommends that students take an Intro to Construction class before enrolling in this program.

Other recommended classes are Intro to Manufacturing, Intro to Engineering Design, and CAD-Architecture.

Courses Offered

The college offers 12.5 credits in HVAC-related classes such as:

• Piping Principles
• Sheet Metal Fabrication
• Electrical Theory/Lab
• Refrigeration Systems
• EPA Refrigerant Certification

Students also participate in field trips at Home Builders Association of Lincoln, Fall and Spring Parade of Homes, SCC Construction Career Days, Building Products Insitute, and City of Lincoln Building & Safety Offices.

Contact Information

• Address: 8800 O Street, Lincoln, Nebraska 68520
• Phone: 402-325-4700
• Website: https://home.lps.org/tca

6Mid-Plains Community College

About the School

Mid-Plains Community College offers a Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration pathway that can lead to a Certificate, Degree, or Diploma.

The program prepares students for careers in the field of installing and servicing heating and cooling systems.

During lab hours students get to apply lecture material to practical situations.

Students may also participate in a summer internship with local HVAC/R employers as part of the program.

The following degree options are available:

• Air Conditioning Certificate- a total of 16 credit hours are required for this
• Furnace Certificate- this Certificate also requires 16 credits
• Heat Pump Certificate- a 15-credit program
• Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Technology, Associate of Applied Science- this degree program requires 60 credit hours in total.

In-state tuition is $100 per credit hour.

Fees such as general fees, student activities, facilities fees, and technology fees sum up to an additional $16 per credit hour.

Mid-Plains Community College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

Mid Plains offers training programs at seven Nebraska campuses in McCook, North Platte, Broken Bow, Imperial, Ogallala, and Valentine.

Contact Information

• Address: 1205 East Third St. McCook, NE 69001 (McCook Campus)
• Phone: 308-345-8100
• Website: http://www.mpcc.edu

7Steamfitters & Plumbers 464

About the School

If you want to earn a salary while preparing for a new career in the HVAC industry, an apprenticeship can be a good idea.

Steamfitters & Plumbers 464 accepts apprenticeship applicants once per year during the first two weeks of March.

Local 464 has more than 1,300 members and represents steamfitters and plumbers.

The Union also provides up-to-date training to help its members build lifelong careers in welding, pipefitting, HVAC, and plumbing.

To qualify for an apprenticeship, applicants must:

• Be at least 18 years of age at the time of employment
• Complete an application form and send it along with:
  • Proof of age
  • High school diploma and transcript of equivalency
  • Photo ID
  • Military transfer or discharge form, if applicable
• Pass a math test
• Attend an interview when invited

The beginning wage for a first-year apprentice is $19.55 per hour.

Apprentices work under the supervision of a journey worker on the job site.

The apprenticeship lasts for five years.

Trainees are required to attend classroom training and maintain an acceptable average.

Contact Information

• Address: 3375 Oak View Drive, Omaha, NE 68144 (Union Hall)
• Phone: 402-333-5859
• Website: https://lu464.org

8University of Nebraska

About the School

The University of Nebraska offers academic programs in a wide range of areas of interest at its Omaha campus.

The programs are designed to provide students with relevant learning opportunities and prepare them to be professionals and active members of their community.

Tuition costs vary depending on the program and the number of credits.

For full-time enrollment of 27 credits or more for a nine-month academic year, Nebraska residents pay approximately $8,100 for tuition and fees.

Courses Offered

The following HVAC-related courses are available through the University’s Architectural Engineering program:

• HVAC Fundamentals- a three-credit class that introduces students to different types of air conditioning systems, moist air properties, indoor air quality, psychometric processes in HVAC equipment, thermal comfort, solar radiation, space heating loads, and other related concepts.
• HVAC Lab- this is a one-credit class that allows students to conduct experiments and prepare written reports
• Mechanical Systems for Buildings-a three-credit class that teaches students about fluid flow, pumps, piping design, fans, ducts, refrigeration equipment, and other systems
• HVAC Design- a four-credit class that teaches students how to design and develop mechanical systems for an actual building

Classes are also available on topics such as Mechanics of Materials, Building Systems, Construction Graphics, and Design Process, Electrical Systems for Buildings, and more.

Contact Information

• Address: 6001 Dodge Street, Omaha, NE, 68182
• Phone: 402.554.2800
• Website: https://www.unomaha.edu

9Career Center School

About the School

Located in Omaha, Career Center School offers students the opportunity to take courses off-campus as an extension of their home high school.

The school offers workplace learning experiences, industrial credential completion, dual credit programs, as well as co-curricular activity (Skills USA) participation.

The center’s catalog features 11 career pathways.

Each pathway is aligned with the Nebraska Career Education Model set by the Nebraska Department of Education.

Workplace Learning is a program that connects students with employers and offers opportunities such as apprenticeships, pre-apprenticeships, paid internships, or clinical experience.

Most Career Center School pathways give students access to industry credentials.

Dual-credit programs allow students to earn high school credits and college credits at the same time.

Courses Offered

The following skilled and technical sciences pathways are available to students: Automotive Technology, Automotive Collision Repair, Construction, Electrical Systems, and Welding.

Construction pathway students learn building techniques and skills needed for a career in this field, including concrete and masonry, framing, electrical, plumbing, HVAC, drywall installation, and painting.

Students enrolled in this pathway also earn a ten-hour OSHA card.

Contact Information

• Address: 3230 Burt St. Omaha, NE 68131
• Phone: 531-299-0330
• Website: https://www.ops.org/careercenter

10Chadron State College

About the School

Chadron State College provides learning experiences regarding the history, theory, and significance of work-based learning through its Career and Technical Education division.

Chadron State is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

Courses Offered

Chadron State College offers many different undergraduate and graduate programs.

Its Career and Technical Education program aims to teach students about:

• The philosophy of career and technical education programs
• Coordination plans for school and work-site learning, including how to transition from school to work
• Child labor laws and how they apply to work-based learning programs

The Career and Technical Education program includes between 6-12 credits and offers courses for diversified occupations, including:

• Introduction to Special Needs Programs in CTE
• Principles and Philosophy of CTE
• Coordination Techniques/ Work-Based Learning
• Internship- this consists of 300 hours of supervised work experiences
• 1000 hours of volunteer, internship, or paid work experience

Total tuition costs at Chadron State sum up to approximately $257 per credit hour for resident students in undergraduate on-campus programs.

This total cost includes tuition and fees.

For online undergraduate programs, the total cost is $299 per credit hour.

Contact Information

• Address: 1000 Main St. Chadron, NE 69337
• Phone: 800-242-3766
• Website: https://www.csc.edu