2026 Best Value Welding Technology/Welder Schools in North Carolina
[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 60 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 North Carolina
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in welding technology/welder, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Welding Technology/Welder Schools
Our analysis ranked Central Piedmont Community College the best value for a degree in welding technology/welder in North Carolina. Set in the city of Charlotte, Central Piedmont Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,792, with out-of-state students paying around $8,936. Typical student debt for welding technology/welder graduates is $11,861. Soon after graduation, welding technology/welder degree recipients from Central Piedmont Community College generally make around $40,149. Set against $11,861 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Central Carolina Community College earned it the #2 place for welding technology/welder. Central Carolina Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Sanford. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,711, with out-of-state students paying around $8,855. Typical student debt for welding technology/welder graduates is $10,266. Soon after graduation, welding technology/welder degree recipients from Central Carolina Community College generally make around $38,198. That is a strong return on a $10,266 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Wilkes Community College earned it the #3 place for welding technology/welder. Located in the town of Wilkesboro, Wilkes Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,572, compared with $8,716 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,125 to complete the welding technology/welder program here. Soon after graduation, welding technology/welder degree recipients from Wilkes Community College generally make around $36,341. Set against $9,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cleveland Community College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value welding technology/welder schools. Cleveland Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Shelby. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,602, with out-of-state students paying around $8,746. Welding Technology/welder graduates carry a median of $7,131 in student loans. Early-career welding technology/welder graduates make about $39,891. That is a strong return on a $7,131 median debt.
Rockingham Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in welding technology/welder, landing the #5 spot this year. 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. Welding Technology/welder graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, welding technology/welder degree recipients from Rockingham Community College generally make around $50,048. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.
Johnston Community College placed #6 among the best values for welding technology/welder. Located in the town of Smithfield, Johnston Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $2,756 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,900. 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. Set against $9,490 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Durham Technical Community College came in at #7 for value in welding technology/welder this year. Set in the city of Durham, Durham Technical Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,240 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,531. Typical student debt for welding technology/welder graduates is $20,408. Soon after graduation, welding technology/welder degree recipients from Durham Technical Community College generally make around $46,293. Set against $20,408 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Sampson Community College placed #8 among the best values for welding technology/welder. Sampson Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Clinton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,877, with out-of-state students paying around $9,789. Typical student debt for welding technology/welder graduates is $12,596. Early-career welding technology/welder graduates make about $45,929. That is a strong return on a $12,596 median debt.
Martin Community College came in at #9 for value in welding technology/welder this year. Set in the town of Williamston, Martin Community College is a small public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,523, while out-of-state students pay about $8,667. Early-career welding technology/welder graduates make about $42,820.
Fayetteville Technical Community College landed the #10 spot for welding technology/welder value this year. Located in the city of Fayetteville, Fayetteville Technical Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,628 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,772. Students borrow a median of $16,909 to complete the welding technology/welder program here. Welding Technology/welder graduates of Fayetteville Technical Community College earn a median of $40,584 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Haywood Community College came in at #11 for value in welding technology/welder this year. Set in the rural area of Clyde, Haywood Community College is a small public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,580 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,724. Soon after graduation, welding technology/welder degree recipients from Haywood Community College generally make around $35,767.
Wayne Community College came in at #12 for value in welding technology/welder this year. Set in the city of Goldsboro, Wayne Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,566 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,710 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the welding technology/welder program here. Soon after graduation, welding technology/welder degree recipients from Wayne Community College generally make around $33,116. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.
James Sprunt Community College landed the #13 spot for welding technology/welder value this year. James Sprunt Community College is a small public school located in the rural area of Kenansville. In-state tuition and fees average $2,592, compared with $8,736 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for welding technology/welder graduates is $11,278. Early-career welding technology/welder graduates make about $35,264. Set against $11,278 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Craven Community College earned the #14 position for value in welding technology/welder this year. Set in the town of New Bern, Craven Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,022, with out-of-state students paying around $6,630. Welding Technology/welder graduates carry a median of $8,924 in student loans. Soon after graduation, welding technology/welder degree recipients from Craven Community College generally make around $30,235. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Vance Granville Community College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value welding technology/welder schools. Vance Granville Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Henderson. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,944, with out-of-state students paying around $6,552. Welding Technology/welder graduates carry a median of $14,833 in student loans. Early-career welding technology/welder graduates make about $43,272. Set against $14,833 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Halifax Community College came in at #16 for value in welding technology/welder this year. Set in the rural area of Weldon, Halifax Community College is a small public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,608, compared with $8,752 for out-of-state students. Welding Technology/welder graduates of Halifax Community College earn a median of $70,982 early in their careers.
Southeastern Community College Whiteville came in at #17 for value in welding technology/welder this year. Southeastern Community College Whiteville is a small public school located in the rural area of Whiteville. In-state tuition and fees average $2,600, with out-of-state students paying around $8,744. Welding Technology/welder graduates carry a median of $10,188 in student loans. Soon after graduation, welding technology/welder degree recipients from Southeastern Community College Whiteville generally make around $65,328. Set against $10,188 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Nash Community College landed the #18 spot for welding technology/welder value this year. Located in the rural area of Rocky Mount, Nash Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,866, with out-of-state students paying around $8,866. Welding Technology/welder graduates carry a median of $16,969 in student loans. Soon after graduation, welding technology/welder degree recipients from Nash Community College generally make around $45,512. Set against $16,969 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rowan Cabarrus Community College landed the #19 spot for welding technology/welder value this year. Set in the suburb of Salisbury, Rowan Cabarrus Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,064, with out-of-state students paying around $6,672. Welding Technology/welder graduates carry a median of $10,867 in student loans. Welding Technology/welder graduates of Rowan Cabarrus Community College earn a median of $34,351 early in their careers. Set against $10,867 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of The Albemarle landed the #20 spot for welding technology/welder value this year. Set in the town of Elizabeth City, College Of The Albemarle is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,242, while out-of-state students pay about $7,652. Students borrow a median of $10,240 to complete the welding technology/welder program here. Early-career welding technology/welder graduates make about $50,506. Set against $10,240 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Surry Community College ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value welding technology/welder schools. Set in the rural area of Dobson, Surry Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,668, while out-of-state students pay about $8,812. Students borrow a median of $9,537 to complete the welding technology/welder program here. Early-career welding technology/welder graduates make about $47,188. Set against $9,537 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Southwestern Community College Sylva ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value welding technology/welder schools. Southwestern Community College Sylva is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Sylva. In-state tuition and fees average $4,112, with out-of-state students paying around $13,184. Typical student debt for welding technology/welder graduates is $13,708. Soon after graduation, welding technology/welder degree recipients from Southwestern Community College Sylva generally make around $36,418. Set against $13,708 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lenoir Community College placed #23 among the best values for welding technology/welder. Set in the town of Kinston, Lenoir Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,578, with out-of-state students paying around $8,822. Typical student debt for welding technology/welder graduates is $9,984. Early-career welding technology/welder graduates make about $38,736. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Beaufort County Community College ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value welding technology/welder schools. Set in the rural area of Washington, Beaufort County Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,540, compared with $8,684 for out-of-state students. Welding Technology/welder graduates carry a median of $7,947 in student loans. Soon after graduation, welding technology/welder degree recipients from Beaufort County Community College generally make around $38,009. That is a strong return on a $7,947 median debt.
Tri County Community College earned the #25 position for value in welding technology/welder this year. Tri County Community College is a small public school located in the rural area of Murphy. In-state tuition and fees average $2,508, compared with $8,652 for out-of-state students. Soon after graduation, welding technology/welder degree recipients from Tri County Community College generally make around $46,717.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Welding Technology/Welder Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in welding technology/welder:
More Welding Technology/Welder Rankings
View All Welding Technology/Welder Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 60 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 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.
