2026 Best Value Welding Technology/Welder Schools in Pennsylvania
[Welding Technology/Welder](/majors/production-product-development/precision-metal-working/welding-technology-welder/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong welding technology/welder education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 40 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 Pennsylvania
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in welding technology/welder, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Welding Technology/Welder Schools
Westmoreland County Community College earned the #1 spot for value among welding technology/welder schools in Pennsylvania. Set in the suburb of Youngwood, Westmoreland County Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,306, while out-of-state students pay about $14,728. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete the welding technology/welder program here. Median earnings reach $37,439 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $11,000 median debt.
Thaddeus Stevens College Of Technology came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value welding technology/welder schools. Located in the city of Lancaster, Thaddeus Stevens College Of Technology is a small public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,050. Welding Technology/welder graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. Early-career welding technology/welder graduates make about $52,298. Set against $12,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
Community College Of Allegheny County came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value welding technology/welder schools. Community College Of Allegheny County is a large public school located in the city of Pittsburgh. In-state tuition and fees average $4,956, compared with $12,583 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for welding technology/welder graduates is $15,263. Soon after graduation, welding technology/welder degree recipients from Community College Of Allegheny County generally make around $47,420. That is a strong return on a $15,263 median debt.
A rank of #4 makes Luzerne County Community College one of the best values for welding technology/welder. Luzerne County Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Nanticoke. In-state tuition and fees average $6,600, with out-of-state students paying around $16,260. Typical student debt for welding technology/welder graduates is $14,614. Welding Technology/welder graduates of Luzerne County Community College earn a median of $44,353 early in their careers. Set against $14,614 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #5 makes Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg one of the best values for welding technology/welder. Located in the city of Harrisburg, Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,975, with out-of-state students paying around $12,472. Students borrow a median of $20,867 to complete the welding technology/welder program here. Early-career welding technology/welder graduates make about $41,382. That is a strong return on a $20,867 median debt.
York County School Of Technology Adult And Continuing Education came in at #6 for value in welding technology/welder this year. York County School Of Technology Adult And Continuing Education is a small public school located in the suburb of York. Welding Technology/welder graduates carry a median of $14,894 in student loans. Welding Technology/welder graduates of York County School Of Technology Adult And Continuing Education earn a median of $47,870 early in their careers. Set against $14,894 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
New Castle School Of Trades landed the #7 spot for welding technology/welder value this year. New Castle School Of Trades is a small private for-profit school located in the town of New Castle. Students borrow a median of $9,655 to complete the welding technology/welder program here. Welding Technology/welder graduates of New Castle School Of Trades earn a median of $36,663 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,655 median debt.
Laurel Technical Institute came in at #8 for value in welding technology/welder this year. Located in the rural area of Hermitage, Laurel Technical Institute is a small private for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,431. Students borrow a median of $14,143 to complete the welding technology/welder program here. Welding Technology/welder graduates of Laurel Technical Institute earn a median of $39,287 early in their careers. Set against $14,143 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Laurel Technical Institute admits about 85% of applicants.
Laurel Business Institute came in at #9 for value in welding technology/welder this year. Set in the town of Uniontown, Laurel Business Institute is a small private for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $13,713 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for welding technology/welder graduates is $13,918. Welding Technology/welder graduates of Laurel Business Institute earn a median of $34,180 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
Rosedale Technical Institute earned the #10 position for value in welding technology/welder this year. Set in the suburb of Pittsburgh, Rosedale Technical Institute is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $17,402. Welding Technology/welder graduates carry a median of $11,113 in student loans. Early-career welding technology/welder graduates make about $32,034. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
Greater Altoona Career And Technology Center placed #11 among the best values for welding technology/welder. Set in the city of Altoona, Greater Altoona Career And Technology Center is a small public institution. Typical student debt for welding technology/welder graduates is $17,867. Soon after graduation, welding technology/welder degree recipients from Greater Altoona Career And Technology Center generally make around $47,891. Set against $17,867 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Johnson College landed the #12 spot for welding technology/welder value this year. Johnson College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Scranton. In-state tuition and fees average $21,225. Typical student debt for welding technology/welder graduates is $16,083. Soon after graduation, welding technology/welder degree recipients from Johnson College generally make around $37,243. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Johnson College admits about 98% of applicants.
Lancaster County Career And Technology Center ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value welding technology/welder schools. Located in the suburb of Willow Street, Lancaster County Career And Technology Center is a small public university. Typical student debt for welding technology/welder graduates is $9,500. Early-career welding technology/welder graduates make about $46,331. That is a strong return on a $9,500 median debt.
Commonwealth Technical Institute earned the #14 position for value in welding technology/welder this year. Commonwealth Technical Institute is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Johnstown. In-state tuition and fees average $7,714. Welding Technology/welder graduates of Commonwealth Technical Institute earn a median of $20,049 early in their careers.
Greater Johnstown Career And Technology Center placed #15 among the best values for welding technology/welder. Set in the rural area of Johnstown, Greater Johnstown Career And Technology Center is a small public institution. Typical student debt for welding technology/welder graduates is $17,690. Early-career welding technology/welder graduates make about $27,897. Set against $17,690 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Berks Career And Technology Center placed #16 among the best values for welding technology/welder. Set in the suburb of Leesport, Berks Career And Technology Center is a small public institution.
All State Career School Pittsburgh placed #17 among the best values for welding technology/welder. Set in the suburb of West Mifflin, All State Career School Pittsburgh is a small private for-profit institution. Welding Technology/welder graduates carry a median of $12,999 in student loans. Early-career welding technology/welder graduates make about $28,893. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Triangle Tech Inc Dubois earned the #18 position for value in welding technology/welder this year. Set in the rural area of Falls Creek, Triangle Tech Inc Dubois is a small private for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,462. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete the welding technology/welder program here. Soon after graduation, welding technology/welder degree recipients from Triangle Tech Inc Dubois generally make around $36,352. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Triangle Tech Inc Bethlehem came in at #19 for value in welding technology/welder this year. Located in the city of Bethlehem, Triangle Tech Inc Bethlehem is a small private for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,513. Welding Technology/welder graduates carry a median of $18,262 in student loans. Welding Technology/welder graduates of Triangle Tech Inc Bethlehem earn a median of $40,225 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Triangle Tech Inc Pittsburgh came in at #20 for value in welding technology/welder this year. Triangle Tech Inc Pittsburgh is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Pittsburgh. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,463. Welding Technology/welder graduates carry a median of $13,944 in student loans. Early-career welding technology/welder graduates make about $35,156. Set against $13,944 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Philadelphia Technician Training came in at #21 for value in welding technology/welder this year. Set in the city of Philadelphia, Philadelphia Technician Training is a small private not-for-profit institution. Welding Technology/welder graduates carry a median of $9,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, welding technology/welder degree recipients from Philadelphia Technician Training generally make around $15,982.
Triangle Tech Inc Greensburg landed the #22 spot for welding technology/welder value this year. Triangle Tech Inc Greensburg is a small private for-profit school located in the suburb of Greensburg. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,413. Welding Technology/welder graduates carry a median of $18,262 in student loans. Early-career welding technology/welder graduates make about $40,225. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Universal Technical Institute Of Pennsylvania Inc landed the #23 spot for welding technology/welder value this year. Universal Technical Institute Of Pennsylvania Inc is a small private for-profit school located in the suburb of Exton. Typical student debt for welding technology/welder graduates is $16,000. Early-career welding technology/welder graduates make about $40,469. That is a strong return on a $16,000 median debt.
Triangle Tech Chambersburg placed #24 among the best values for welding technology/welder. Triangle Tech Chambersburg is a small private for-profit school located in the suburb of Chambersburg. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $19,005. Students borrow a median of $13,944 to complete the welding technology/welder program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $51,953 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Welder Training And Testing Institute landed the #25 spot for welding technology/welder value this year. Set in the city of Allentown, Welder Training And Testing Institute is a small private for-profit institution. Students borrow a median of $9,500 to complete the welding technology/welder program here. Welding Technology/welder graduates of Welder Training And Testing Institute earn a median of $47,528 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,500 median debt.
Rest of the Top 26 Best Value Welding Technology/Welder Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s welding technology/welder value ranking:
More Welding Technology/Welder Rankings
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 40 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.
