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2026 Best Welding Technology/Welder Schools in Illinois

1 Colleges in the United States
2,548 Welding Technology/Welder Degrees Awarded
$40,704 Avg Early-Career Salary

Welding Technology/Welder is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. The schools below stand out for the quality of their welding technology/welder programs.

For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 44 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for welding technology/welder students pursuing a degree.

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Best Schools for Welding Technology/Welder in Illinois

If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the welding technology/welder degrees they offer, see the list below.

Top Schools in Welding Technology/Welder

1
Harper College crest
Harper College
Palatine, IL

No school ranked higher than Harper College this year for welding technology/welder. Located in the suburb of Palatine, Harper College is a very large public university. Harper College awarded about 93 welding technology/welder degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, welding technology/welder degree recipients from Harper College generally make around $44,523. Typical student debt for the program is $10,963. Read more about the welding technology/welder program at Harper College

2

A rank of #2 makes College Of Lake County one of the top schools for welding technology/welder. Located in the suburb of Grayslake, College Of Lake County is a very large public university. About 118 welding technology/welder degrees were awarded at College Of Lake County in the most recent year. Welding Technology/welder graduates of College Of Lake County earn a median of $50,314 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $9,785. See the full welding technology/welder program report for College Of Lake County

3

Heartland Community College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best welding technology/welder schools. This moderately-sized public university is located in the suburb of Normal. About 91 welding technology/welder degrees were awarded at Heartland Community College in the most recent year. Welding Technology/welder graduates of Heartland Community College earn a median of $48,710 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $13,266 to complete this degree. Read more about the welding technology/welder program at Heartland Community College

4
Illinois Central College crest
Illinois Central College
East Peoria, IL

A rank of #4 makes Illinois Central College one of the top schools for welding technology/welder. Located in the suburb of East Peoria, Illinois Central College is a large public university. About 120 welding technology/welder degrees were awarded at Illinois Central College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, welding technology/welder degree recipients from Illinois Central College generally make around $53,190. Typical student debt for the program is $12,222. See the full welding technology/welder program report for Illinois Central College

5

Students looking for a strong welding technology/welder program will find one at Elgin Community College, which ranked #5. Elgin Community College is a large public school located in the city of Elgin. There were roughly 52 welding technology/welder students who graduated with this degree at Elgin Community College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the welding technology/welder program make about $43,975 in their early career. Elgin Community College graduates carry a median of $7,727 in student loans. Read more about the welding technology/welder program at Elgin Community College

6

Kankakee Community College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best welding technology/welder schools. This mid-sized public university is located in the city of Kankakee. There were roughly 75 welding technology/welder students who graduated with this degree at Kankakee Community College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their welding technology/welder degree from Kankakee Community College earn around $60,509 in the first couple years of their career. Kankakee Community College graduates carry a median of $13,289 in student loans. More information about a degree in welding technology/welder from Kankakee Community College

7
Rock Valley College crest
Rock Valley College
Rockford, IL

Rock Valley College earned the #7 position for welding technology/welder this year. Located in the city of Rockford, Rock Valley College is a moderately-sized public university. About 58 welding technology/welder degrees were awarded at Rock Valley College in the most recent year. Welding Technology/welder graduates of Rock Valley College earn a median of $41,080 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $9,236 to complete this degree. Get the full welding technology/welder details for Rock Valley College

8

Lewis And Clark Community College came in at #8 for welding technology/welder this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the suburb of Godfrey. About 129 welding technology/welder degrees were awarded at Lewis And Clark Community College in the most recent year. Welding Technology/welder graduates of Lewis And Clark Community College earn a median of $37,195 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $9,602 to complete this degree. Get the full welding technology/welder details for Lewis And Clark Community College

9

Black Hawk College earned the #9 position for welding technology/welder this year. Black Hawk College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Moline. There were roughly 58 welding technology/welder students who graduated with this degree at Black Hawk College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, welding technology/welder degree recipients from Black Hawk College generally make around $44,286. Black Hawk College graduates carry a median of $11,340 in student loans. Read more about the welding technology/welder program at Black Hawk College

10

Waubonsee Community College placed #10 among the best welding technology/welder schools. Waubonsee Community College is a large public school located in the rural area of Sugar Grove. There were roughly 40 welding technology/welder students who graduated with this degree at Waubonsee Community College in the most recent data year. Welding Technology/welder graduates of Waubonsee Community College earn a median of $39,659 early in their careers. Waubonsee Community College graduates carry a median of $9,939 in student loans. More information about a degree in welding technology/welder from Waubonsee Community College

11
College Of Dupage crest
College Of Dupage
Glen Ellyn, IL

College Of Dupage landed the #11 spot for welding technology/welder this year. Located in the suburb of Glen Ellyn, College Of Dupage is a very large public university. About 25 welding technology/welder degrees were awarded at College Of Dupage in the most recent year. Graduates of the welding technology/welder program make about $43,025 in their early career. College Of Dupage graduates carry a median of $12,492 in student loans. Read more about the welding technology/welder program at College Of Dupage

12

Sauk Valley Community College landed the #12 spot for welding technology/welder this year. This mid-sized public university is located in the rural area of Dixon. There were roughly 77 welding technology/welder students who graduated with this degree at Sauk Valley Community College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the welding technology/welder program make about $48,855 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $12,811. See the full welding technology/welder program report for Sauk Valley Community College

13
Lake Land College crest
Lake Land College
Mattoon, IL

Lake Land College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best welding technology/welder schools. Lake Land College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Mattoon. Lake Land College awarded about 122 welding technology/welder degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the welding technology/welder program make about $27,808 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $7,769. Get the full welding technology/welder details for Lake Land College

14

Joliet Junior College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best welding technology/welder schools. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Joliet. About 43 welding technology/welder degrees were awarded at Joliet Junior College in the most recent year. Welding Technology/welder graduates of Joliet Junior College earn a median of $40,118 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $11,995. More information about a degree in welding technology/welder from Joliet Junior College

15

Illinois Valley Community College earned the #15 position for welding technology/welder this year. Set in the town of Oglesby, Illinois Valley Community College is a mid-sized public institution. About 36 welding technology/welder degrees were awarded at Illinois Valley Community College in the most recent year. Students who receive their welding technology/welder degree from Illinois Valley Community College earn around $33,224 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $8,099. Read more about the welding technology/welder program at Illinois Valley Community College

16

Highland Community College Freeport placed #16 among the best welding technology/welder schools. Highland Community College Freeport is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Freeport. Highland Community College Freeport awarded about 25 welding technology/welder degrees in the most recent data year. Welding Technology/welder graduates of Highland Community College Freeport earn a median of $46,384 early in their careers. Highland Community College Freeport graduates carry a median of $13,783 in student loans. See the full welding technology/welder program report for Highland Community College Freeport

17

Illinois Eastern Community Colleges Olney Central College came in at #17 for welding technology/welder this year. Set in the town of Olney, Illinois Eastern Community Colleges Olney Central College is a large public institution. About 32 welding technology/welder degrees were awarded at Illinois Eastern Community Colleges Olney Central College in the most recent year. Welding Technology/welder graduates of Illinois Eastern Community Colleges Olney Central College earn a median of $30,893 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $9,434 to complete this degree. Read more about the welding technology/welder program at Illinois Eastern Community Colleges Olney Central College

18
Kaskaskia College crest
Kaskaskia College
Centralia, IL

Kaskaskia College came in at #18 for welding technology/welder this year. Kaskaskia College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Centralia. About 48 welding technology/welder degrees were awarded at Kaskaskia College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, welding technology/welder degree recipients from Kaskaskia College generally make around $45,658. Students borrow a median of $7,875 to complete this degree. See the full welding technology/welder program report for Kaskaskia College

19

Southwestern Illinois College landed the #19 spot for welding technology/welder this year. Set in the suburb of Belleville, Southwestern Illinois College is a large public institution. There were roughly 172 welding technology/welder students who graduated with this degree at Southwestern Illinois College in the most recent data year. Welding Technology/welder graduates of Southwestern Illinois College earn a median of $31,692 early in their careers. Southwestern Illinois College graduates carry a median of $6,500 in student loans. See the full welding technology/welder program report for Southwestern Illinois College

20

Richland Community College landed the #20 spot for welding technology/welder this year. Set in the city of Decatur, Richland Community College is a mid-sized public institution. About 16 welding technology/welder degrees were awarded at Richland Community College in the most recent year. Welding Technology/welder graduates of Richland Community College earn a median of $46,233 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $9,562. See the full welding technology/welder program report for Richland Community College

21
Mchenry County College crest
Mchenry County College
Crystal Lake, IL

Mchenry County College earned the #21 position for welding technology/welder this year. Set in the rural area of Crystal Lake, Mchenry County College is a large public institution. About 46 welding technology/welder degrees were awarded at Mchenry County College in the most recent year. Welding Technology/welder graduates of Mchenry County College earn a median of $24,177 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $7,440 to complete this degree. Get the full welding technology/welder details for Mchenry County College

22

John Wood Community College placed #22 among the best welding technology/welder schools. Located in the town of Quincy, John Wood Community College is a mid-sized public university. About 30 welding technology/welder degrees were awarded at John Wood Community College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, welding technology/welder degree recipients from John Wood Community College generally make around $45,748. Typical student debt for the program is $13,844. Read more about the welding technology/welder program at John Wood Community College

23

Lincoln Land Community College earned the #23 position for welding technology/welder this year. Set in the rural area of Springfield, Lincoln Land Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. There were roughly 93 welding technology/welder students who graduated with this degree at Lincoln Land Community College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their welding technology/welder degree from Lincoln Land Community College earn around $33,298 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $11,272 to complete this degree. See the full welding technology/welder program report for Lincoln Land Community College

24

Moraine Valley Community College placed #24 among the best welding technology/welder schools. Set in the suburb of Palos Hills, Moraine Valley Community College is a large public institution. Moraine Valley Community College awarded about 89 welding technology/welder degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the welding technology/welder program make about $43,844 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $11,149. More information about a degree in welding technology/welder from Moraine Valley Community College

25
Carl Sandburg College crest
Carl Sandburg College
Galesburg, IL

Carl Sandburg College placed #25 among the best welding technology/welder schools. Carl Sandburg College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Galesburg. There were roughly 23 welding technology/welder students who graduated with this degree at Carl Sandburg College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the welding technology/welder program make about $48,534 in their early career. Carl Sandburg College graduates carry a median of $8,604 in student loans. More information about a degree in welding technology/welder from Carl Sandburg College

Rest of the Top 39 Welding Technology/Welder Schools

These schools also placed among the best for welding technology/welder this year:

26
27
28
Triton College crest
Triton College
River Grove, IL
29
30
Prairie State College crest
Prairie State College
Chicago Heights, IL
31
John A Logan College crest
John A Logan College
Carterville, IL
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39

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Notes and References

This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 44 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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