DEBUG: Raw major_slug = ""
DEBUG: Initial offers_url = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/production-product-development/precision-metal-working/welding-technology-welder/offers.json", major_slug = ""
DEBUG: After cleaning major_slug = ""
DEBUG: Before URL cleaning = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/production-product-development/precision-metal-working/welding-technology-welder/offers.json"
DEBUG: After TrimSuffix = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/production-product-development/precision-metal-working/welding-technology-welder/offers.json"
DEBUG: After HTTPS placeholder = "HTTPS_TEMP_PLACEHOLDERwww.collegefactual.com/majors/production-product-development/precision-metal-working/welding-technology-welder/offers.json"
DEBUG: After slash cleaning = "HTTPS_TEMP_PLACEHOLDERwww.collegefactual.com/majors/production-product-development/precision-metal-working/welding-technology-welder/offers.json"
DEBUG: After URL cleaning = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/production-product-development/precision-metal-working/welding-technology-welder/offers.json"
DEBUG: offers_url = https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/production-product-development/precision-metal-working/welding-technology-welder/offers.json
DEBUG: major_slug = ""
DEBUG: offers_url is valid, proceeding to fetch data
DEBUG: offers_data.offers found, count = 1
DEBUG: Specific major detected (cip4 = 48.05), keeping min_relevance at 0.8
DEBUG: Starting relevance filtering - min_relevance = 0.8, max_relevance = 1
DEBUG: Checking offer "Trade & Vocational Programs (Welding)" with relevance 1
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "Trade & Vocational Programs (Welding)" ACCEPTED (relevance 1)
DEBUG: relevant_offers count = 1
DEBUG: relevant_offers > 0, checking for ESYOH offers
DEBUG: ESYOH filtering - found 1 ESYOH offers with relevance >= 0.8
DEBUG: esyoh_offers count = 1
DEBUG: ESYOH offers found, rendering ESYOH widget
DEBUG: most_relevant_only = true, filtering for most relevant
DEBUG: Found 1 offers with relevance >= 1.0
2026 Best Value Welding Technology/Welder Schools in Montana
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 Flathead Valley Community College this year. Located in the town of Kalispell, Flathead Valley Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,912, compared with $11,659 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for welding technology/welder graduates is $16,094. Soon after graduation, welding technology/welder degree recipients from Flathead Valley Community College generally make around $43,711. That is a strong return on a $16,094 median debt.
A rank of #2 makes Great Falls College Montana State University one of the best values for welding technology/welder. Located in the city of Great Falls, Great Falls College Montana State University is a small public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,028, while out-of-state students pay about $12,911. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $38,034.
Students looking for strong value in welding technology/welder will find it at Montana State University Northern, which ranked #3. Montana State University Northern is a small public school located in the town of Havre. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,982, compared with $21,875 for out-of-state students. Welding Technology/welder graduates carry a median of $23,855 in student loans. Soon after graduation, welding technology/welder degree recipients from Montana State University Northern generally make around $50,896. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #4 makes Helena College University Of Montana one of the best values for welding technology/welder. Located in the city of Helena, Helena College University Of Montana is a small public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,106, with out-of-state students paying around $11,278. Students borrow a median of $19,906 to complete the welding technology/welder program here. Welding Technology/welder graduates of Helena College University Of Montana earn a median of $47,160 early in their careers. Set against $19,906 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Montana State University Billings is a great value for students pursuing a degree in welding technology/welder, landing the #5 spot this year. Montana State University Billings is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Billings. In-state tuition and fees average $7,280, with out-of-state students paying around $22,897. Welding Technology/welder graduates carry a median of $25,465 in student loans. Welding Technology/welder graduates of Montana State University Billings earn a median of $41,875 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,465 median debt.
ADBLOCK #101
Montana State University landed the #6 spot for welding technology/welder value this year. Montana State University is a large public school located in the city of Bozeman. Students from in state pay about $8,460 in tuition and fees, compared with $33,287 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,635 to complete the welding technology/welder program here. Welding Technology/welder graduates of Montana State University earn a median of $47,703 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,635 median debt. Montana State University admits about 82% of applicants.
[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. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
