2026 Best Value Welding Technology/Welder Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[Welding Technology/Welder](/majors/production-product-development/precision-metal-working/welding-technology-welder/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 149 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 the Great Lakes Region
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 City Colleges Of Chicago Richard J Daley College 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, while out-of-state students pay about $15,150. Welding Technology/welder graduates carry a median of $7,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, welding technology/welder degree recipients from City Colleges Of Chicago Richard J Daley College generally make around $33,326. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lake Land College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value welding technology/welder schools. Set in the rural area of Mattoon, Lake Land College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,415, compared with $14,301 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for welding technology/welder graduates is $7,769. Soon after graduation, welding technology/welder degree recipients from Lake Land College generally make around $27,808. That is a strong return on a $7,769 median debt.
Washtenaw Community College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value welding technology/welder schools. Set in the suburb of Ann Arbor, Washtenaw Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,736, compared with $6,504 for out-of-state students. Welding Technology/welder graduates carry a median of $17,616 in student loans. Welding Technology/welder graduates of Washtenaw Community College earn a median of $45,332 early in their careers. Set against $17,616 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #4 makes Carl Sandburg College one of the best values for welding technology/welder. Carl Sandburg College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Galesburg. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,390, compared with $8,900 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for welding technology/welder graduates is $8,604. Early-career welding technology/welder graduates make about $48,534. Set against $8,604 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Illinois Valley Community College earned it the #5 place for welding technology/welder. Illinois Valley Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Oglesby. Students from in state pay about $4,200 in tuition and fees, compared with $16,385 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for welding technology/welder graduates is $8,099. Early-career welding technology/welder graduates make about $33,224. Set against $8,099 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Moraine Valley Community College placed #6 among the best values for welding technology/welder. Set in the suburb of Palos Hills, Moraine Valley Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,822, while out-of-state students pay about $9,846. Welding Technology/welder graduates carry a median of $11,149 in student loans. Early-career welding technology/welder graduates make about $43,844. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lewis And Clark Community College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value welding technology/welder schools. Lewis And Clark Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Godfrey. Students from in state pay about $4,340 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,840. Typical student debt for welding technology/welder graduates is $9,602. Soon after graduation, welding technology/welder degree recipients from Lewis And Clark Community College generally make around $37,195. That is a strong return on a $9,602 median debt.
Danville Area Community College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value welding technology/welder schools. Set in the town of Danville, Danville Area Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,440, while out-of-state students pay about $7,440. Students borrow a median of $9,470 to complete the welding technology/welder program here. Soon after graduation, welding technology/welder degree recipients from Danville Area Community College generally make around $36,123. That is a strong return on a $9,470 median debt.
Lorain County Community College came in at #9 for value in welding technology/welder this year. Set in the suburb of Elyria, Lorain County Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,265, compared with $8,860 for out-of-state students. Welding Technology/welder graduates carry a median of $17,611 in student loans. Soon after graduation, welding technology/welder degree recipients from Lorain County Community College generally make around $40,095. Set against $17,611 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Kankakee Community College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value welding technology/welder schools. Set in the city of Kankakee, Kankakee Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,220, while out-of-state students pay about $25,830. Welding Technology/welder graduates carry a median of $13,289 in student loans. Early-career welding technology/welder graduates make about $60,509. Set against $13,289 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Delta College placed #11 among the best values for welding technology/welder. Located in the rural area of University Center, Delta College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,820, with out-of-state students paying around $7,880. Welding Technology/welder graduates carry a median of $14,075 in student loans. Early-career welding technology/welder graduates make about $34,112. That is a strong return on a $14,075 median debt.
Kalamazoo Valley Community College landed the #12 spot for welding technology/welder value this year. Located in the suburb of Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,144, with out-of-state students paying around $9,094. Students borrow a median of $15,525 to complete the welding technology/welder program here. Early-career welding technology/welder graduates make about $44,198. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Alpena Community College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value welding technology/welder schools. Located in the town of Alpena, Alpena Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,840, compared with $8,220 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,000 to complete the welding technology/welder program here. Early-career welding technology/welder graduates make about $45,132. That is a strong return on a $10,000 median debt.
Lansing Community College earned the #14 position for value in welding technology/welder this year. Lansing Community College is a large public school located in the city of Lansing. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,100, while out-of-state students pay about $11,300. Students borrow a median of $16,700 to complete the welding technology/welder program here. Welding Technology/welder graduates of Lansing Community College earn a median of $46,103 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,700 median debt.
Triton College landed the #15 spot for welding technology/welder value this year. Triton College is a large public school located in the suburb of River Grove. Students from in state pay about $5,070 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,330. Welding Technology/welder graduates carry a median of $12,994 in student loans. Welding Technology/welder graduates of Triton College earn a median of $43,278 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,994 median debt.
Muskegon Community College placed #16 among the best values for welding technology/welder. Located in the city of Muskegon, Muskegon Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $7,250 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $16,010. Students borrow a median of $14,928 to complete the welding technology/welder program here. Welding Technology/welder graduates of Muskegon Community College earn a median of $48,267 early in their careers. Set against $14,928 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Harper College ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value welding technology/welder schools. Located in the suburb of Palatine, Harper College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,894, with out-of-state students paying around $11,874. Welding Technology/welder graduates carry a median of $10,963 in student loans. Welding Technology/welder graduates of Harper College earn a median of $44,523 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Highland Community College Freeport came in at #18 for value in welding technology/welder this year. Set in the rural area of Freeport, Highland Community College Freeport is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,936, compared with $7,360 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,783 to complete the welding technology/welder program here. Soon after graduation, welding technology/welder degree recipients from Highland Community College Freeport generally make around $46,384. Set against $13,783 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Oakland Community College came in at #19 for value in welding technology/welder this year. Set in the suburb of Auburn Hills, Oakland Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,120, while out-of-state students pay about $5,560. Welding Technology/welder graduates carry a median of $15,865 in student loans. Soon after graduation, welding technology/welder degree recipients from Oakland Community College generally make around $43,205. Set against $15,865 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Shawnee Community College placed #20 among the best values for welding technology/welder. Shawnee Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Ullin. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,650, compared with $7,500 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,162 to complete the welding technology/welder program here. Welding Technology/welder graduates of Shawnee Community College earn a median of $39,601 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lincoln Land Community College placed #21 among the best values for welding technology/welder. Set in the rural area of Springfield, Lincoln Land Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,744, compared with $10,464 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,272 to complete the welding technology/welder program here. Welding Technology/welder graduates of Lincoln Land Community College earn a median of $33,298 early in their careers. Set against $11,272 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Elgin Community College placed #22 among the best values for welding technology/welder. Located in the city of Elgin, Elgin Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,252 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,516 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,727 to complete the welding technology/welder program here. Welding Technology/welder graduates of Elgin Community College earn a median of $43,975 early in their careers. Set against $7,727 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Ivy Tech Community College earned the #23 position for value in welding technology/welder this year. Located in the city of Indianapolis, Ivy Tech Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,154, compared with $9,935 for out-of-state students. Welding Technology/welder graduates carry a median of $6,599 in student loans. Soon after graduation, welding technology/welder degree recipients from Ivy Tech Community College generally make around $49,030. That is a strong return on a $6,599 median debt.
Joliet Junior College placed #24 among the best values for welding technology/welder. Located in the suburb of Joliet, Joliet Junior College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,530, with out-of-state students paying around $13,800. Typical student debt for welding technology/welder graduates is $11,995. Soon after graduation, welding technology/welder degree recipients from Joliet Junior College generally make around $40,118. That is a strong return on a $11,995 median debt.
Richland Community College earned the #25 position for value in welding technology/welder this year. Richland Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Decatur. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,680, with out-of-state students paying around $17,070. Students borrow a median of $9,562 to complete the welding technology/welder program here. Soon after graduation, welding technology/welder degree recipients from Richland Community College generally make around $46,233. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Welding Technology/Welder Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for welding technology/welder this year:
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 149 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 6 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.
