2026 Best Value Welding Technology/Welder Schools

1

West Georgia Technical College
Waco, GA

West Georgia Technical College earned the #1 spot for value among welding technology/welder schools in the United States. Located in the rural area of Waco, West Georgia Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,410, while out-of-state students pay about $5,978. Welding Technology/welder graduates carry a median of $8,000 in student loans. Early-career welding technology/welder graduates make about $39,922. That is a strong return on a $8,000 median debt.

2

Cerritos College
Norwalk, CA

Cerritos College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value welding technology/welder schools. Set in the suburb of Norwalk, Cerritos College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,364, with out-of-state students paying around $12,004. Typical student debt for welding technology/welder graduates is $11,306. Welding Technology/welder graduates of Cerritos College earn a median of $29,495 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

3

South Georgia Technical College
Americus, GA

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at South Georgia Technical College earned it the #3 place for welding technology/welder. Set in the town of Americus, South Georgia Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,992, while out-of-state students pay about $7,202. Typical student debt for welding technology/welder graduates is $10,423. Early-career welding technology/welder graduates make about $40,497. Set against $10,423 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

4

Georgia Northwestern Technical College
Rome, GA

Georgia Northwestern Technical College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value welding technology/welder schools. Set in the city of Rome, Georgia Northwestern Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,300, while out-of-state students pay about $5,868. Welding Technology/welder graduates carry a median of $8,492 in student loans. Soon after graduation, welding technology/welder degree recipients from Georgia Northwestern Technical College generally make around $38,002. Set against $8,492 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

5

Central Piedmont Community College
Charlotte, NC

Central Piedmont Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in welding technology/welder, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Charlotte, Central Piedmont Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,792 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,936. Students borrow a median of $11,861 to complete the welding technology/welder program here. Welding Technology/welder graduates of Central Piedmont Community College earn a median of $40,149 early in their careers. Set against $11,861 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

6

Mt San Antonio College
Walnut, CA

Mt San Antonio College came in at #6 for value in welding technology/welder this year. Located in the suburb of Walnut, Mt San Antonio College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,364, compared with $10,464 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,384 to complete the welding technology/welder program here. Soon after graduation, welding technology/welder degree recipients from Mt San Antonio College generally make around $44,391. Set against $9,384 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

7

Central Carolina Community College
Sanford, NC

Central Carolina Community College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value welding technology/welder schools. Central Carolina Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Sanford. Students from in state pay about $2,711 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,855. Welding Technology/welder graduates carry a median of $10,266 in student loans. Early-career welding technology/welder graduates make about $38,198. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

8

Southcentral Kentucky Community And Technical College
Bowling Green, KY

Southcentral Kentucky Community And Technical College landed the #8 spot for welding technology/welder value this year. Located in the city of Bowling Green, Southcentral Kentucky Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,728, while out-of-state students pay about $6,432. Students borrow a median of $9,413 to complete the welding technology/welder program here. Early-career welding technology/welder graduates make about $49,879. That is a strong return on a $9,413 median debt.

9

Coastal Pines Technical College
Waycross, GA

Coastal Pines Technical College placed #9 among the best values for welding technology/welder. Coastal Pines Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Waycross. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,268, while out-of-state students pay about $5,836. Students borrow a median of $5,812 to complete the welding technology/welder program here. Early-career welding technology/welder graduates make about $43,040. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

10

City Colleges Of Chicago Richard J Daley College
Chicago, IL

City Colleges Of Chicago Richard J Daley College came in at #10 for value in welding technology/welder this year. Located in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Richard J Daley College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,590 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,150. Welding Technology/welder graduates carry a median of $7,500 in student loans. Welding Technology/welder graduates of City Colleges Of Chicago Richard J Daley College earn a median of $33,326 early in their careers. Set against $7,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

11

Oconee Fall Line Technical College
Sandersville, GA

Oconee Fall Line Technical College came in at #11 for value in welding technology/welder this year. Set in the rural area of Sandersville, Oconee Fall Line Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,380, with out-of-state students paying around $5,948. Welding Technology/welder graduates carry a median of $12,718 in student loans. Soon after graduation, welding technology/welder degree recipients from Oconee Fall Line Technical College generally make around $38,673. That is a strong return on a $12,718 median debt.

12

George C Wallace State Community College Dothan
Dothan, AL

George C Wallace State Community College Dothan ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value welding technology/welder schools. Located in the city of Dothan, George C Wallace State Community College Dothan is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,980 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,850. Students borrow a median of $9,942 to complete the welding technology/welder program here. Early-career welding technology/welder graduates make about $36,834. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

13

Florida State College At Jacksonville
Jacksonville, FL

Florida State College At Jacksonville placed #13 among the best values for welding technology/welder. Set in the city of Jacksonville, Florida State College At Jacksonville is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,657, compared with $9,631 for out-of-state students. Welding Technology/welder graduates carry a median of $19,139 in student loans. Early-career welding technology/welder graduates make about $46,748. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

14

East Mississippi Community College
Scooba, MS

East Mississippi Community College landed the #14 spot for welding technology/welder value this year. Located in the rural area of Scooba, East Mississippi Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,095, with out-of-state students paying around $7,445. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the welding technology/welder program here. Soon after graduation, welding technology/welder degree recipients from East Mississippi Community College generally make around $35,345. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

15

Fresno City College
Fresno, CA

Fresno City College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value welding technology/welder schools. Fresno City College is a very large public school located in the city of Fresno. In-state tuition and fees average $1,378, compared with $8,638 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for welding technology/welder graduates is $7,234. Soon after graduation, welding technology/welder degree recipients from Fresno City College generally make around $37,470. That is a strong return on a $7,234 median debt.

16

Lake Land College
Mattoon, IL

Lake Land College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value welding technology/welder schools. Lake Land College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Mattoon. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,415, while out-of-state students pay about $14,301. Students borrow a median of $7,769 to complete the welding technology/welder program here. Soon after graduation, welding technology/welder degree recipients from Lake Land College generally make around $27,808. Set against $7,769 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

17

Pima Community College
Tucson, AZ

Pima Community College ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value welding technology/welder schools. Pima Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Tucson. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,442, compared with $7,758 for out-of-state students. Welding Technology/welder graduates carry a median of $10,655 in student loans. Early-career welding technology/welder graduates make about $41,132. That is a strong return on a $10,655 median debt.

18

Reedley College
Reedley, CA

Reedley College came in at #18 for value in welding technology/welder this year. Reedley College is a large public school located in the town of Reedley. In-state tuition and fees average $1,378, while out-of-state students pay about $8,638. Welding Technology/welder graduates carry a median of $6,500 in student loans. Welding Technology/welder graduates of Reedley College earn a median of $30,520 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $6,500 median debt.

19

Owensboro Community And Technical College
Owensboro, KY

Owensboro Community And Technical College earned the #19 position for value in welding technology/welder this year. Owensboro Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Owensboro. In-state tuition and fees average $4,728, with out-of-state students paying around $6,432. Typical student debt for welding technology/welder graduates is $7,475. Early-career welding technology/welder graduates make about $45,366. Set against $7,475 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

20

Northeast Alabama Community College
Rainsville, AL

Northeast Alabama Community College ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value welding technology/welder schools. Located in the rural area of Rainsville, Northeast Alabama Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,040, compared with $8,910 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,459 to complete the welding technology/welder program here. Early-career welding technology/welder graduates make about $35,119. That is a strong return on a $7,459 median debt.

21

Johnston Community College
Smithfield, NC

Johnston Community College came in at #21 for value in welding technology/welder this year. Located in the town of Smithfield, Johnston Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $2,756 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,900. Typical student debt for welding technology/welder graduates is $9,490. Early-career welding technology/welder graduates make about $34,171. Set against $9,490 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

22

Carl Sandburg College
Galesburg, IL

Carl Sandburg College placed #22 among the best values for welding technology/welder. Located in the town of Galesburg, Carl Sandburg College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,390, with out-of-state students paying around $8,900. Students borrow a median of $8,604 to complete the welding technology/welder program here. Soon after graduation, welding technology/welder degree recipients from Carl Sandburg College generally make around $48,534. Set against $8,604 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

23

South Texas College
McAllen, TX

South Texas College ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value welding technology/welder schools. Located in the city of McAllen, South Texas College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,920, while out-of-state students pay about $7,620. Students borrow a median of $6,868 to complete the welding technology/welder program here. Soon after graduation, welding technology/welder degree recipients from South Texas College generally make around $28,716. That is a strong return on a $6,868 median debt.

24

Brazosport College
Lake Jackson, TX

Brazosport College came in at #24 for value in welding technology/welder this year. Brazosport College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Lake Jackson. Students from in state pay about $2,388 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $4,711. Students borrow a median of $6,625 to complete the welding technology/welder program here. Soon after graduation, welding technology/welder degree recipients from Brazosport College generally make around $32,746. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

25

Washtenaw Community College
Ann Arbor, MI

Washtenaw Community College came in at #25 for value in welding technology/welder this year. Located in the suburb of Ann Arbor, Washtenaw Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,736 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,504. Students borrow a median of $17,616 to complete the welding technology/welder program here. Early-career welding technology/welder graduates make about $45,332. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.