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2026 Best Value Welding Technology/Welder Schools in the Southeast Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in welding technology/welder, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Welding Technology/Welder Schools
Leading the list is West Georgia Technical College, our #1 best value for welding technology/welder in the Southeast Region. Set in the rural area of Waco, West Georgia Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,410 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,978. Students borrow a median of $8,000 to complete the welding technology/welder program here. Welding Technology/welder graduates of West Georgia Technical College earn a median of $39,922 early in their careers. Set against $8,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
South Georgia Technical College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value welding technology/welder schools. Set in the town of Americus, South Georgia Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,992, compared with $7,202 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,423 to complete the welding technology/welder program here. Early-career welding technology/welder graduates make about $40,497. Set against $10,423 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in welding technology/welder will find it at Coastal Pines Technical College, which ranked #3. Coastal Pines Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Waycross. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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.
Georgia Northwestern Technical College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value welding technology/welder schools. Georgia Northwestern Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Rome. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,300, while out-of-state students pay about $5,868. Typical student debt for welding technology/welder graduates is $8,492. 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.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Central Carolina Community College earned it the #5 place for welding technology/welder. Set in the town of Sanford, Central Carolina Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,711, 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.
ADBLOCK #101
Oconee Fall Line Technical College earned the #6 position 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. In-state tuition and fees average $3,380, with out-of-state students paying around $5,948. Students borrow a median of $12,718 to complete the welding technology/welder program here. Welding Technology/welder graduates of Oconee Fall Line Technical College earn a median of $38,673 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Central Piedmont Community College landed the #7 spot for welding technology/welder value this year. Located in the city of Charlotte, Central Piedmont Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,792, while out-of-state students pay about $8,936. Students borrow a median of $11,861 to complete the welding technology/welder program here. Soon after graduation, welding technology/welder degree recipients from Central Piedmont Community College generally make around $40,149. That is a strong return on a $11,861 median debt.
Wilkes Community College earned the #8 position for value in welding technology/welder this year. Set in the town of Wilkesboro, Wilkes Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,572, with out-of-state students paying around $8,716. Typical student debt for welding technology/welder graduates is $9,125. Early-career welding technology/welder graduates make about $36,341. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
George C Wallace State Community College Dothan earned the #9 position for value in welding technology/welder this year. Located in the city of Dothan, George C Wallace State Community College Dothan is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,980, compared with $8,850 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for welding technology/welder graduates is $9,942. Soon after graduation, welding technology/welder degree recipients from George C Wallace State Community College Dothan generally make around $36,834. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northeast Alabama Community College earned the #10 position for value in welding technology/welder this year. Located in the rural area of Rainsville, Northeast Alabama Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. Soon after graduation, welding technology/welder degree recipients from Northeast Alabama Community College generally make around $35,119. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Florida State College At Jacksonville earned the #11 position for value in welding technology/welder this year. Florida State College At Jacksonville is a very large public school located in the city of Jacksonville. Students from in state pay about $2,657 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,631. Students borrow a median of $19,139 to complete the welding technology/welder program here. Early-career welding technology/welder graduates make about $46,748. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Southcentral Kentucky Community And Technical College earned the #12 position for value in welding technology/welder this year. Southcentral Kentucky Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Bowling Green. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,728, with out-of-state students paying around $6,432. Welding Technology/welder graduates carry a median of $9,413 in student loans. Welding Technology/welder graduates of Southcentral Kentucky Community And Technical College earn a median of $49,879 early in their careers. Set against $9,413 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Southern Regional Technical College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value welding technology/welder schools. Located in the town of Thomasville, Southern Regional Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,007 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,575 for out-of-state students. Welding Technology/welder graduates carry a median of $9,086 in student loans. Soon after graduation, welding technology/welder degree recipients from Southern Regional Technical College generally make around $44,007. Set against $9,086 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Chipola College landed the #14 spot for welding technology/welder value this year. Located in the town of Marianna, Chipola College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,120, while out-of-state students pay about $8,950. Welding Technology/welder graduates carry a median of $9,097 in student loans. Soon after graduation, welding technology/welder degree recipients from Chipola College generally make around $43,599. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Pensacola State College placed #15 among the best values for welding technology/welder. Set in the city of Pensacola, Pensacola State College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,361, with out-of-state students paying around $9,463. Students borrow a median of $9,191 to complete the welding technology/welder program here. Early-career welding technology/welder graduates make about $45,811. That is a strong return on a $9,191 median debt.
Florence Darlington Technical College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value welding technology/welder schools. Set in the rural area of Florence, Florence Darlington Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,636 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,772. Typical student debt for welding technology/welder graduates is $7,230. Soon after graduation, welding technology/welder degree recipients from Florence Darlington Technical College generally make around $34,948. Set against $7,230 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
East Mississippi Community College placed #17 among the best values for welding technology/welder. Located in the rural area of Scooba, East Mississippi Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,095, with out-of-state students paying around $7,445. Welding Technology/welder graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. 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.
Cleveland Community College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value welding technology/welder schools. Located in the town of Shelby, Cleveland Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $2,602 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,746. Students borrow a median of $7,131 to complete the welding technology/welder program here. Early-career welding technology/welder graduates make about $39,891. Set against $7,131 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lurleen B Wallace Community College landed the #19 spot for welding technology/welder value this year. Set in the rural area of Andalusia, Lurleen B Wallace Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,190, with out-of-state students paying around $9,060. Typical student debt for welding technology/welder graduates is $7,500. Soon after graduation, welding technology/welder degree recipients from Lurleen B Wallace Community College generally make around $32,714. Set against $7,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Patrick Henry Community College landed the #20 spot for welding technology/welder value this year. Located in the rural area of Martinsville, Patrick Henry Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,002 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,440. Typical student debt for welding technology/welder graduates is $11,235. Soon after graduation, welding technology/welder degree recipients from Patrick Henry Community College generally make around $37,030. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Johnston Community College came in at #21 for value in welding technology/welder this year. Johnston Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Smithfield. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,756, compared with $8,900 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for welding technology/welder graduates is $9,490. Soon after graduation, welding technology/welder degree recipients from Johnston Community College generally make around $34,171. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Owensboro Community And Technical College came in at #22 for value in welding technology/welder this year. Set in the rural area of Owensboro, Owensboro Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,728, compared with $6,432 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for welding technology/welder graduates is $7,475. Soon after graduation, welding technology/welder degree recipients from Owensboro Community And Technical College generally make around $45,366. That is a strong return on a $7,475 median debt.
Durham Technical Community College placed #23 among the best values for welding technology/welder. Durham Technical Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Durham. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,240, compared with $7,531 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for welding technology/welder graduates is $20,408. Early-career welding technology/welder graduates make about $46,293. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rockingham Community College ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value welding technology/welder schools. Set in the rural area of Wentworth, Rockingham Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,966, with out-of-state students paying around $6,574. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the welding technology/welder program here. Early-career welding technology/welder graduates make about $50,048. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Hinds Community College earned the #25 position for value in welding technology/welder this year. Hinds Community College is a large public school located in the rural area of Raymond. In-state tuition and fees average $4,250, with out-of-state students paying around $7,300. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the welding technology/welder program here. Welding Technology/welder graduates of Hinds Community College earn a median of $22,434 early in their careers. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Welding Technology/Welder Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in welding technology/welder:
Narrow Welding Technology/Welder Schools by State
[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 best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
