2026 Best Value Welding Technology/Welder Schools in Washington
[Welding Technology/Welder](/majors/production-product-development/precision-metal-working/welding-technology-welder/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 22 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for welding technology/welder students.
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2026 Best Value Welding Technology/Welder Schools in Washington
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the welding technology/welder degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Welding Technology/Welder Schools
For return on investment in welding technology/welder, no school beat Clover Park Technical College this year. Clover Park Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Lakewood. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,634. Students borrow a median of $15,154 to complete the welding technology/welder program here. Welding Technology/welder graduates of Clover Park Technical College earn a median of $42,209 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Bates Technical College earned it the #2 place for welding technology/welder. Located in the city of Tacoma, Bates Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,027, with out-of-state students paying around $12,165. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $50,051.
Students looking for strong value in welding technology/welder will find it at Grays Harbor College, which ranked #3. Set in the rural area of Aberdeen, Grays Harbor College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,593, while out-of-state students pay about $12,553. Typical student debt for welding technology/welder graduates is $12,524. Soon after graduation, welding technology/welder degree recipients from Grays Harbor College generally make around $46,018. Set against $12,524 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Renton Technical College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in welding technology/welder, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Renton, Renton Technical College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,330, while out-of-state students pay about $7,768. Students borrow a median of $18,582 to complete the welding technology/welder program here. Soon after graduation, welding technology/welder degree recipients from Renton Technical College generally make around $80,411. That is a strong return on a $18,582 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in welding technology/welder will find it at Peninsula College, which ranked #5. Located in the town of Port Angeles, Peninsula College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,718, while out-of-state students pay about $5,270. Typical student debt for welding technology/welder graduates is $12,730. Welding Technology/welder graduates of Peninsula College earn a median of $51,243 early in their careers. Set against $12,730 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Bellingham Technical College came in at #6 for value in welding technology/welder this year. Located in the city of Bellingham, Bellingham Technical College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,431, with out-of-state students paying around $5,809. Graduates go on to earn a median of $49,748 ten years after entry.
Lake Washington Institute Of Technology ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value welding technology/welder schools. Located in the suburb of Kirkland, Lake Washington Institute Of Technology is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,997, with out-of-state students paying around $12,062. Students borrow a median of $19,695 to complete the welding technology/welder program here. Welding Technology/welder graduates of Lake Washington Institute Of Technology earn a median of $60,000 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,695 median debt.
Seattle Community College South Campus ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value welding technology/welder schools. Located in the city of Seattle, Seattle Community College South Campus is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,208, with out-of-state students paying around $5,796. Graduates go on to earn a median of $44,486 ten years after entry.
Spokane Community College landed the #9 spot for welding technology/welder value this year. Spokane Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Spokane. Students from in state pay about $5,461 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,612. Students borrow a median of $9,500 to complete the welding technology/welder program here. Soon after graduation, welding technology/welder degree recipients from Spokane Community College generally make around $35,309. Set against $9,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Olympic College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value welding technology/welder schools. Olympic College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Bremerton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,472, with out-of-state students paying around $9,740. Welding Technology/welder graduates carry a median of $11,497 in student loans. Soon after graduation, welding technology/welder degree recipients from Olympic College generally make around $23,548. That is a strong return on a $11,497 median debt.
Lower Columbia College landed the #11 spot for welding technology/welder value this year. Set in the city of Longview, Lower Columbia College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,626, with out-of-state students paying around $6,003. Welding Technology/welder graduates carry a median of $14,340 in student loans. Welding Technology/welder graduates of Lower Columbia College earn a median of $53,280 early in their careers. Set against $14,340 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Columbia Basin College placed #12 among the best values for welding technology/welder. Set in the suburb of Pasco, Columbia Basin College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,555, while out-of-state students pay about $8,668. Typical student debt for welding technology/welder graduates is $17,170. Welding Technology/welder graduates of Columbia Basin College earn a median of $63,976 early in their careers. Set against $17,170 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Walla Walla Community College placed #13 among the best values for welding technology/welder. Set in the city of Walla Walla, Walla Walla Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,279 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,700. Typical student debt for welding technology/welder graduates is $15,500. Soon after graduation, welding technology/welder degree recipients from Walla Walla Community College generally make around $46,131. Set against $15,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
South Puget Sound Community College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value welding technology/welder schools. Located in the city of Olympia, South Puget Sound Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,257, with out-of-state students paying around $5,818. Welding Technology/welder graduates carry a median of $14,245 in student loans. Welding Technology/welder graduates of South Puget Sound Community College earn a median of $39,430 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,245 median debt.
Clark College earned the #15 position for value in welding technology/welder this year. Set in the city of Vancouver, Clark College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,233 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,183 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,432 to complete the welding technology/welder program here. Welding Technology/welder graduates of Clark College earn a median of $46,609 early in their careers. Set against $15,432 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Everett Community College earned the #16 position for value in welding technology/welder this year. Everett Community College is a large public school located in the city of Everett. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,032, with out-of-state students paying around $11,171. Welding Technology/welder graduates carry a median of $13,542 in student loans. Soon after graduation, welding technology/welder degree recipients from Everett Community College generally make around $47,441. Set against $13,542 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Green River Community College landed the #17 spot for welding technology/welder value this year. Set in the city of Auburn, Green River Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,711 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,263. Graduates go on to earn a median of $50,712 ten years after entry.
Perry Technical Institute came in at #18 for value in welding technology/welder this year. Located in the city of Yakima, Perry Technical Institute is a small private not-for-profit university. Students borrow a median of $8,390 to complete the welding technology/welder program here. Welding Technology/welder graduates of Perry Technical Institute earn a median of $41,301 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,390 median debt.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 22 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 2 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
