2026 Best Value Welding Technology/Welder Schools in Nebraska

[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.
College Factual analyzed 6 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value welding technology/welder schools.
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2026 Best Value Welding Technology/Welder Schools in Nebraska
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
For return on investment in welding technology/welder, no school beat Metropolitan Community College Area this year. Located in the city of Omaha, Metropolitan Community College Area is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,375, compared with $4,950 for out-of-state students. Welding Technology/welder graduates carry a median of $12,799 in student loans. Welding Technology/welder graduates of Metropolitan Community College Area earn a median of $45,583 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,799 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Western Nebraska Community College earned it the #2 place for welding technology/welder. Set in the town of Scottsbluff, Western Nebraska Community College is a small public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,840, while out-of-state students pay about $4,410. Students borrow a median of $14,507 to complete the welding technology/welder program here. Welding Technology/welder graduates of Western Nebraska Community College earn a median of $62,413 early in their careers. Set against $14,507 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mid Plains Community College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value welding technology/welder schools. Located in the rural area of North Platte, Mid Plains Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,600, compared with $4,530 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,596 to complete the welding technology/welder program here. Welding Technology/welder graduates of Mid Plains Community College earn a median of $39,396 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,596 median debt.
Central Community College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value welding technology/welder schools. Central Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Grand Island. In-state tuition and fees average $3,360, compared with $4,800 for out-of-state students. Welding Technology/welder graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Welding Technology/welder graduates of Central Community College earn a median of $39,409 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in welding technology/welder will find it at Southeast Community College Area, which ranked #5. Southeast Community College Area is a large public school located in the city of Lincoln. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,444, compared with $4,032 for out-of-state students. Welding Technology/welder graduates carry a median of $11,650 in student loans. Soon after graduation, welding technology/welder degree recipients from Southeast Community College Area generally make around $49,114. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northeast Community College placed #6 among the best values for welding technology/welder. Set in the town of Norfolk, Northeast Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,840, compared with $5,130 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for welding technology/welder graduates is $5,500. Soon after graduation, welding technology/welder degree recipients from Northeast Community College generally make around $38,353. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 6 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.