2026 Best Value Welding Technology/Welder Schools in Virginia
[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.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 22 schools to find the best return on investment for welding technology/welder students.
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2026 Best Value Welding Technology/Welder Schools in Virginia
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
Patrick Henry Community College tops our 2026 list of the best value welding technology/welder schools in Virginia. Located in the rural area of Martinsville, Patrick Henry Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,002, with out-of-state students paying around $11,440. Students borrow a median of $11,235 to complete the welding technology/welder program here. Welding Technology/welder graduates of Patrick Henry Community College earn a median of $37,030 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #2 makes Wytheville Community College one of the best values for welding technology/welder. Set in the town of Wytheville, Wytheville Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,007, compared with $11,445 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for welding technology/welder graduates is $9,542. Welding Technology/welder graduates of Wytheville Community College earn a median of $40,973 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in welding technology/welder will find it at Eastern Shore Community College, which ranked #3. Eastern Shore Community College is a small public school located in the rural area of Melfa. In-state tuition and fees average $5,082, compared with $11,520 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $32,418 ten years out.
Students looking for strong value in welding technology/welder will find it at Central Virginia Community College, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Lynchburg, Central Virginia Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,157, with out-of-state students paying around $11,595. Typical student debt for welding technology/welder graduates is $8,625. Soon after graduation, welding technology/welder degree recipients from Central Virginia Community College generally make around $37,281. That is a strong return on a $8,625 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at J Sargeant Reynolds Community College earned it the #5 place for welding technology/welder. Set in the suburb of Richmond, J Sargeant Reynolds Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,280, while out-of-state students pay about $11,718. Welding Technology/welder graduates carry a median of $16,131 in student loans. Soon after graduation, welding technology/welder degree recipients from J Sargeant Reynolds Community College generally make around $36,965. Set against $16,131 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
John Tyler Community College earned the #6 position for value in welding technology/welder this year. Located in the suburb of Chester, John Tyler Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,082, compared with $11,520 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for welding technology/welder graduates is $11,262. Early-career welding technology/welder graduates make about $39,273. That is a strong return on a $11,262 median debt.
Virginia Highlands Community College placed #7 among the best values for welding technology/welder. Set in the suburb of Abingdon, Virginia Highlands Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,022, while out-of-state students pay about $11,460. Typical student debt for welding technology/welder graduates is $7,490. Soon after graduation, welding technology/welder degree recipients from Virginia Highlands Community College generally make around $21,472. That is a strong return on a $7,490 median debt.
Virginia Western Community College landed the #8 spot for welding technology/welder value this year. Set in the city of Roanoke, Virginia Western Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,400, while out-of-state students pay about $11,838. Students borrow a median of $13,715 to complete the welding technology/welder program here. Soon after graduation, welding technology/welder degree recipients from Virginia Western Community College generally make around $22,788. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Paul D Camp Community College earned the #9 position for value in welding technology/welder this year. Located in the town of Franklin, Paul D Camp Community College is a small public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,012, while out-of-state students pay about $11,450. Welding Technology/welder graduates carry a median of $11,074 in student loans. Early-career welding technology/welder graduates make about $40,070. Set against $11,074 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
New River Community College landed the #10 spot for welding technology/welder value this year. Set in the town of Dublin, New River Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,979 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,417 for out-of-state students. Welding Technology/welder graduates carry a median of $13,132 in student loans. Welding Technology/welder graduates of New River Community College earn a median of $46,892 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Southside Virginia Community College came in at #11 for value in welding technology/welder this year. Located in the rural area of Alberta, Southside Virginia Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,007 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,445. Welding Technology/welder graduates carry a median of $7,467 in student loans. Early-career welding technology/welder graduates make about $29,666. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Danville Community College placed #12 among the best values for welding technology/welder. Set in the town of Danville, Danville Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,992, while out-of-state students pay about $11,430. Students borrow a median of $9,494 to complete the welding technology/welder program here. Welding Technology/welder graduates of Danville Community College earn a median of $44,922 early in their careers. Set against $9,494 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mountain Empire Community College came in at #13 for value in welding technology/welder this year. Mountain Empire Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Big Stone Gap. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,007, while out-of-state students pay about $11,445. Welding Technology/welder graduates carry a median of $9,036 in student loans. Early-career welding technology/welder graduates make about $36,988. Set against $9,036 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Tidewater Community College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value welding technology/welder schools. Located in the city of Norfolk, Tidewater Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,858 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,296. Typical student debt for welding technology/welder graduates is $8,455. Early-career welding technology/welder graduates make about $23,785. That is a strong return on a $8,455 median debt.
Southwest Virginia Community College placed #15 among the best values for welding technology/welder. Located in the rural area of Cedar Bluff, Southwest Virginia Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,075 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,513. Typical student debt for welding technology/welder graduates is $5,500. Early-career welding technology/welder graduates make about $32,277. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.
Advanced Technology Institute ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value welding technology/welder schools. Located in the city of Virginia Beach, Advanced Technology Institute is a small private for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $14,568 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $12,674 to complete the welding technology/welder program here. Soon after graduation, welding technology/welder degree recipients from Advanced Technology Institute generally make around $43,656. Set against $12,674 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 54% of applicants are accepted.
Tidewater Tech Trades placed #17 among the best values for welding technology/welder. Tidewater Tech Trades is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Norfolk. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,337. Students borrow a median of $9,500 to complete the welding technology/welder program here. Welding Technology/welder graduates of Tidewater Tech Trades earn a median of $32,269 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 22 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.
