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2026 Best Value Welding Technology/Welder Schools in Iowa
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 Marshalltown Community College, our #1 best value for welding technology/welder in Iowa. Located in the town of Marshalltown, Marshalltown Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,496 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,504. Students borrow a median of $11,577 to complete the welding technology/welder program here. Soon after graduation, welding technology/welder degree recipients from Marshalltown Community College generally make around $45,972. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Indian Hills Community College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value welding technology/welder schools. Set in the town of Ottumwa, Indian Hills Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,040, compared with $6,120 for out-of-state students. Welding Technology/welder graduates carry a median of $15,390 in student loans. Soon after graduation, welding technology/welder degree recipients from Indian Hills Community College generally make around $49,626. Set against $15,390 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
North Iowa Area Community College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value welding technology/welder schools. North Iowa Area Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Mason City. Students from in state pay about $6,653 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,551. Typical student debt for welding technology/welder graduates is $12,043. Early-career welding technology/welder graduates make about $44,466. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #4 makes Western Iowa Tech Community College one of the best values for welding technology/welder. Western Iowa Tech Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Sioux City. In-state tuition and fees average $5,186, while out-of-state students pay about $5,330. Typical student debt for welding technology/welder graduates is $7,910. Early-career welding technology/welder graduates make about $41,613. Set against $7,910 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in welding technology/welder will find it at Kirkwood Community College, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Cedar Rapids, Kirkwood Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,176, compared with $8,220 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,500 to complete the welding technology/welder program here. Soon after graduation, welding technology/welder degree recipients from Kirkwood Community College generally make around $48,114. Set against $13,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
ADBLOCK #101
Iowa Central Community College came in at #6 for value in welding technology/welder this year. Located in the town of Fort Dodge, Iowa Central Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,496 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,788 for out-of-state students. Welding Technology/welder graduates carry a median of $16,135 in student loans. Early-career welding technology/welder graduates make about $27,404. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Eastern Iowa Community College District earned the #7 position for value in welding technology/welder this year. Set in the city of Davenport, Eastern Iowa Community College District is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,848, with out-of-state students paying around $6,456. Typical student debt for welding technology/welder graduates is $15,995. Welding Technology/welder graduates of Eastern Iowa Community College District earn a median of $41,510 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Southwestern Community College Creston earned the #8 position for value in welding technology/welder this year. Southwestern Community College Creston is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Creston. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,064, compared with $8,316 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,881 to complete the welding technology/welder program here. Soon after graduation, welding technology/welder degree recipients from Southwestern Community College Creston generally make around $46,106. That is a strong return on a $15,881 median debt.
Northeast Iowa Community College Calmar landed the #9 spot for welding technology/welder value this year. Located in the rural area of Calmar, Northeast Iowa Community College Calmar is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,780, compared with $7,770 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for welding technology/welder graduates is $5,479. Soon after graduation, welding technology/welder degree recipients from Northeast Iowa Community College Calmar generally make around $43,588. Set against $5,479 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Hawkeye Community College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value welding technology/welder schools. Located in the rural area of Waterloo, Hawkeye Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,525, while out-of-state students pay about $6,612. Students borrow a median of $7,874 to complete the welding technology/welder program here. Welding Technology/welder graduates of Hawkeye Community College earn a median of $45,509 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
[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.
