2026 Best Value Welding Technology/Welder Schools in Missouri
[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. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 18 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 Missouri
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
Our analysis ranked Crowder College the best value for a degree in welding technology/welder in Missouri. Crowder College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Neosho. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,104, with out-of-state students paying around $5,784. Students borrow a median of $9,887 to complete the welding technology/welder program here. Early-career welding technology/welder graduates make about $33,869. Set against $9,887 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at St Charles Community College earned it the #2 place for welding technology/welder. Set in the suburb of Cottleville, St Charles Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,810, while out-of-state students pay about $7,620. Students borrow a median of $12,606 to complete the welding technology/welder program here. Soon after graduation, welding technology/welder degree recipients from St Charles Community College generally make around $47,228. That is a strong return on a $12,606 median debt.
A rank of #3 makes Ozarks Technical Community College one of the best values for welding technology/welder. Set in the city of Springfield, Ozarks Technical Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,256, with out-of-state students paying around $7,040. Students borrow a median of $4,737 to complete the welding technology/welder program here. Welding Technology/welder graduates of Ozarks Technical Community College earn a median of $36,757 early in their careers. Set against $4,737 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in welding technology/welder will find it at Metropolitan Community College Kansas City, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Kansas City, Metropolitan Community College Kansas City is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,630, compared with $9,600 for out-of-state students. Welding Technology/welder graduates carry a median of $12,281 in student loans. Early-career welding technology/welder graduates make about $36,908. That is a strong return on a $12,281 median debt.
A rank of #5 makes Jefferson College one of the best values for welding technology/welder. Jefferson College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Hillsboro. Students from in state pay about $5,250 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,850. Welding Technology/welder graduates carry a median of $13,664 in student loans. Welding Technology/welder graduates of Jefferson College earn a median of $47,560 early in their careers. Set against $13,664 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Linn State Technical College landed the #6 spot for welding technology/welder value this year. Located in the rural area of Linn, Linn State Technical College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,160, with out-of-state students paying around $14,610. Welding Technology/welder graduates carry a median of $11,474 in student loans. Soon after graduation, welding technology/welder degree recipients from Linn State Technical College generally make around $47,325. Set against $11,474 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
East Central College placed #7 among the best values for welding technology/welder. East Central College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Union. In-state tuition and fees average $4,272, with out-of-state students paying around $7,680. Welding Technology/welder graduates carry a median of $12,062 in student loans. Welding Technology/welder graduates of East Central College earn a median of $37,925 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,062 median debt.
Ranken Technical College came in at #8 for value in welding technology/welder this year. Set in the city of Saint Louis, Ranken Technical College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $18,008. Welding Technology/welder graduates carry a median of $12,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, welding technology/welder degree recipients from Ranken Technical College generally make around $44,463. Set against $12,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Midwest Technical Institute Springfield Mo landed the #9 spot for welding technology/welder value this year. Set in the city of Springfield, Midwest Technical Institute Springfield Mo is a small private for-profit institution. Typical student debt for welding technology/welder graduates is $9,500. Soon after graduation, welding technology/welder degree recipients from Midwest Technical Institute Springfield Mo generally make around $31,630. 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. 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 · 18 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 2 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.
