2026 Best Value Welding Technology/Welder Schools in the Southwest Region
[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 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 134 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 the Southwest Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in welding technology/welder, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Welding Technology/Welder Schools
Pima Community College earned the #1 spot for value among welding technology/welder schools in the Southwest Region. Located in the city of Tucson, Pima Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,442 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,758. Welding Technology/welder graduates carry a median of $10,655 in student loans. Welding Technology/welder graduates of Pima Community College earn a median of $41,132 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,655 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in welding technology/welder will find it at South Texas College, which ranked #2. Located in the city of McAllen, South Texas College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,920 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,620. Students borrow a median of $6,868 to complete the welding technology/welder program here. Welding Technology/welder graduates of South Texas College earn a median of $28,716 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #3 makes Brazosport College one of the best values for welding technology/welder. Brazosport College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Lake Jackson. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,388, compared with $4,711 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $6,625 to complete the welding technology/welder program here. Soon after graduation, welding technology/welder degree recipients from Brazosport College generally make around $32,746. Set against $6,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in welding technology/welder will find it at College Of The Mainland, which ranked #4. College Of The Mainland is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Texas City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,310, with out-of-state students paying around $4,140. Typical student debt for welding technology/welder graduates is $10,928. Welding Technology/welder graduates of College Of The Mainland earn a median of $40,788 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,928 median debt.
A rank of #5 makes Central New Mexico Community College one of the best values for welding technology/welder. Set in the city of Albuquerque, Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,060, with out-of-state students paying around $8,684. Welding Technology/welder graduates carry a median of $6,440 in student loans. Early-career welding technology/welder graduates make about $42,162. Set against $6,440 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Del Mar College earned the #6 position for value in welding technology/welder this year. Set in the city of Corpus Christi, Del Mar College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,500, with out-of-state students paying around $6,050. Welding Technology/welder graduates carry a median of $7,476 in student loans. Soon after graduation, welding technology/welder degree recipients from Del Mar College generally make around $40,661. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Gateway Community College Central City ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value welding technology/welder schools. Set in the city of Phoenix, Gateway Community College Central City is a small public institution. Students borrow a median of $15,037 to complete the welding technology/welder program here. Soon after graduation, welding technology/welder degree recipients from Gateway Community College Central City generally make around $45,781. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
El Paso Community College placed #8 among the best values for welding technology/welder. Set in the city of El Paso, El Paso Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,274, while out-of-state students pay about $5,314. Typical student debt for welding technology/welder graduates is $8,542. Early-career welding technology/welder graduates make about $29,086. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lamar State College Orange landed the #9 spot for welding technology/welder value this year. Set in the town of Orange, Lamar State College Orange is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,832, with out-of-state students paying around $13,824. Students borrow a median of $18,506 to complete the welding technology/welder program here. Welding Technology/welder graduates of Lamar State College Orange earn a median of $45,299 early in their careers. Set against $18,506 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Eastern New Mexico University Roswell Campus landed the #10 spot for welding technology/welder value this year. Located in the town of Roswell, Eastern New Mexico University Roswell Campus is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,256, with out-of-state students paying around $5,616. Students borrow a median of $11,110 to complete the welding technology/welder program here. Welding Technology/welder graduates of Eastern New Mexico University Roswell Campus earn a median of $21,129 early in their careers. Set against $11,110 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Alvin Community College landed the #11 spot for welding technology/welder value this year. Set in the suburb of Alvin, Alvin Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,906, compared with $4,402 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for welding technology/welder graduates is $8,600. Welding Technology/welder graduates of Alvin Community College earn a median of $55,057 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
San Juan College placed #12 among the best values for welding technology/welder. Located in the rural area of Farmington, San Juan College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $1,910 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $5,393. Welding Technology/welder graduates carry a median of $16,150 in student loans. Soon after graduation, welding technology/welder degree recipients from San Juan College generally make around $41,697. Set against $16,150 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Clovis Community College placed #13 among the best values for welding technology/welder. Set in the town of Clovis, Clovis Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,592, with out-of-state students paying around $3,344. Students borrow a median of $11,082 to complete the welding technology/welder program here. Soon after graduation, welding technology/welder degree recipients from Clovis Community College generally make around $44,390. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Wharton County Junior College came in at #14 for value in welding technology/welder this year. Located in the town of Wharton, Wharton County Junior College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,192, while out-of-state students pay about $5,904. Students borrow a median of $10,916 to complete the welding technology/welder program here. Early-career welding technology/welder graduates make about $28,408. That is a strong return on a $10,916 median debt.
Trinity Valley Community College came in at #15 for value in welding technology/welder this year. Trinity Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Athens. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,640, while out-of-state students pay about $5,970. Typical student debt for welding technology/welder graduates is $12,323. Welding Technology/welder graduates of Trinity Valley Community College earn a median of $35,123 early in their careers. Set against $12,323 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Coastal Bend College earned the #16 position for value in welding technology/welder this year. Located in the town of Beeville, Coastal Bend College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $2,916 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,226. Typical student debt for welding technology/welder graduates is $14,609. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $35,086. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Central Arizona College ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value welding technology/welder schools. Central Arizona College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Coolidge. Students from in state pay about $2,250 in tuition and fees, compared with $4,500 for out-of-state students. Welding Technology/welder graduates carry a median of $11,635 in student loans. Welding Technology/welder graduates of Central Arizona College earn a median of $48,826 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
El Centro College earned the #18 position for value in welding technology/welder this year. El Centro College is a very large public school located in the city of Dallas. Students from in state pay about $2,730 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,900. Students borrow a median of $14,557 to complete the welding technology/welder program here. Welding Technology/welder graduates of El Centro College earn a median of $35,102 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,557 median debt.
Western Texas College came in at #19 for value in welding technology/welder this year. Located in the town of Snyder, Western Texas College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,300 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,150 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,691 to complete the welding technology/welder program here. Soon after graduation, welding technology/welder degree recipients from Western Texas College generally make around $68,077. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Victoria College came in at #20 for value in welding technology/welder this year. Victoria College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Victoria. Students from in state pay about $2,976 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,328. Typical student debt for welding technology/welder graduates is $10,910. Welding Technology/welder graduates of Victoria College earn a median of $50,201 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Austin Community College District landed the #21 spot for welding technology/welder value this year. Located in the city of Austin, Austin Community College District is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,550, with out-of-state students paying around $10,590. Students borrow a median of $14,970 to complete the welding technology/welder program here. Early-career welding technology/welder graduates make about $42,270. Set against $14,970 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
St Philips College came in at #22 for value in welding technology/welder this year. St Philips College is a very large public school located in the city of San Antonio. Students from in state pay about $3,412 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,952. Typical student debt for welding technology/welder graduates is $15,653. Welding Technology/welder graduates of St Philips College earn a median of $45,185 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,653 median debt.
Navajo Technical College earned the #23 position for value in welding technology/welder this year. Set in the rural area of Crownpoint, Navajo Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,498. Graduates go on to earn a median of $26,364 ten years after entry.
Grayson College placed #24 among the best values for welding technology/welder. Grayson College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Denison. Students from in state pay about $3,000 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,300. Students borrow a median of $11,627 to complete the welding technology/welder program here. Soon after graduation, welding technology/welder degree recipients from Grayson College generally make around $42,487. Set against $11,627 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Midland College landed the #25 spot for welding technology/welder value this year. Located in the city of Midland, Midland College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,180, while out-of-state students pay about $6,180. Typical student debt for welding technology/welder graduates is $9,000. Soon after graduation, welding technology/welder degree recipients from Midland College generally make around $43,454. Set against $9,000 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:
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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 · 134 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 10 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.
