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2026 Best Value Welding Technology/Welder Schools in Arizona

1 Colleges in the United States
$11,768 Avg Student Debt
$40,629 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Welding Technology/Welder Badge [Welding Technology/Welder](/majors/production-product-development/precision-metal-working/welding-technology-welder/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 15 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for welding technology/welder students.

What’s on this page:

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2026 Best Value Welding Technology/Welder Schools in Arizona

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in welding technology/welder, balancing cost against outcomes.

Best Value Welding Technology/Welder Schools

1

For return on investment in welding technology/welder, no school beat Pima Community College this year. Pima Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Tucson. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,442, with out-of-state students paying around $7,758. Welding Technology/welder graduates carry a median of $10,655 in student loans. Early-career welding technology/welder graduates make about $41,132. Set against $10,655 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

2

Gateway Community College Central City is a great value for students pursuing a degree in welding technology/welder, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Phoenix, Gateway Community College Central City is a small public institution. Typical student debt for welding technology/welder graduates is $15,037. Early-career welding technology/welder graduates make about $45,781. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

3

Central Arizona College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value welding technology/welder schools. Located in the rural area of Coolidge, Central Arizona College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $2,250 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $4,500. Typical student debt for welding technology/welder graduates is $11,635. Soon after graduation, welding technology/welder degree recipients from Central Arizona College generally make around $48,826. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

4
Yavapai College crest
Yavapai College
Prescott, AZ

Yavapai College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value welding technology/welder schools. Set in the city of Prescott, Yavapai College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,948, with out-of-state students paying around $9,486. Students borrow a median of $14,087 to complete the welding technology/welder program here. Early-career welding technology/welder graduates make about $52,087. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

5

Mohave Community College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value welding technology/welder schools. Located in the rural area of Kingman, Mohave Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,208, compared with $7,968 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,766 to complete the welding technology/welder program here. Soon after graduation, welding technology/welder degree recipients from Mohave Community College generally make around $54,785. That is a strong return on a $14,766 median debt.

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6
Cochise College crest
Cochise College
Sierra Vista, AZ

Cochise College landed the #6 spot for welding technology/welder value this year. Set in the city of Sierra Vista, Cochise College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,280, compared with $6,120 for out-of-state students. Welding Technology/welder graduates carry a median of $12,013 in student loans. Soon after graduation, welding technology/welder degree recipients from Cochise College generally make around $40,712. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

7

Northland Pioneer College landed the #7 spot for welding technology/welder value this year. Located in the rural area of Holbrook, Northland Pioneer College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,232, while out-of-state students pay about $10,320. Typical student debt for welding technology/welder graduates is $8,680. Welding Technology/welder graduates of Northland Pioneer College earn a median of $44,117 early in their careers. Set against $8,680 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

8

Mesa Community College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value welding technology/welder schools. Located in the city of Mesa, Mesa Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,358, while out-of-state students pay about $8,959. Typical student debt for welding technology/welder graduates is $13,750. Early-career welding technology/welder graduates make about $54,730. Set against $13,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

9

Eastern Arizona College landed the #9 spot for welding technology/welder value this year. Located in the town of Thatcher, Eastern Arizona College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,352, with out-of-state students paying around $9,552. Welding Technology/welder graduates carry a median of $6,781 in student loans. Soon after graduation, welding technology/welder degree recipients from Eastern Arizona College generally make around $40,304. That is a strong return on a $6,781 median debt.

10

East Valley Institute Of Technology landed the #10 spot for welding technology/welder value this year. Set in the city of Mesa, East Valley Institute Of Technology is a small public institution. Welding Technology/welder graduates carry a median of $14,076 in student loans. Welding Technology/welder graduates of East Valley Institute Of Technology earn a median of $32,985 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,076 median debt.

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11

Arizona Automotive Institute ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value welding technology/welder schools. Located in the suburb of Glendale, Arizona Automotive Institute is a small private for-profit university. Welding Technology/welder graduates carry a median of $13,000 in student loans. Early-career welding technology/welder graduates make about $30,105. Set against $13,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

12

Refrigeration School Inc placed #12 among the best values for welding technology/welder. Located in the city of Phoenix, Refrigeration School Inc is a mid-sized private for-profit university. Welding Technology/welder graduates carry a median of $7,917 in student loans. Welding Technology/welder graduates of Refrigeration School Inc earn a median of $35,808 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $7,917 median debt.

13

Universal Technical Institute Of Arizona Inc ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value welding technology/welder schools. Set in the suburb of Avondale, Universal Technical Institute Of Arizona Inc is a mid-sized private for-profit institution. Students borrow a median of $10,593 to complete the welding technology/welder program here. Welding Technology/welder graduates of Universal Technical Institute Of Arizona Inc earn a median of $37,568 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,593 median debt.

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Notes and References

This ranking is produced 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 · 15 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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