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2026 Best Welding Technology/Welder Schools in North Carolina

1 Colleges in the United States
3,182 Welding Technology/Welder Degrees Awarded
$42,013 Avg Early-Career Salary

Welding Technology/Welder programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.

For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 60 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for welding technology/welder students pursuing a degree.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Welding Technology/Welder in North Carolina

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall welding technology/welder education in North Carolina.

Top Schools in Welding Technology/Welder

1

Central Piedmont Community College tops our 2026 ranking of the best welding technology/welder schools. Located in the city of Charlotte, Central Piedmont Community College is a very large public university. About 258 welding technology/welder degrees were awarded at Central Piedmont Community College in the most recent year. Students who receive their welding technology/welder degree from Central Piedmont Community College earn around $40,149 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $11,861. Read more about the welding technology/welder program at Central Piedmont Community College

2

A rank of #2 makes Johnston Community College one of the top schools for welding technology/welder. This moderately-sized public university is located in the town of Smithfield. About 79 welding technology/welder degrees were awarded at Johnston Community College in the most recent year. Students who receive their welding technology/welder degree from Johnston Community College earn around $34,171 in the first couple years of their career. Johnston Community College graduates carry a median of $9,490 in student loans. See the full welding technology/welder program report for Johnston Community College

3

A rank of #3 makes Wake Technical Community College one of the top schools for welding technology/welder. Set in the suburb of Raleigh, Wake Technical Community College is a very large public institution. Wake Technical Community College awarded about 142 welding technology/welder degrees in the most recent data year. Welding Technology/welder graduates of Wake Technical Community College earn a median of $38,673 early in their careers. Wake Technical Community College graduates carry a median of $6,500 in student loans. Read more about the welding technology/welder program at Wake Technical Community College

4

Cape Fear Community College is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in welding technology/welder, landing the #4 spot this year. Cape Fear Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Wilmington. About 58 welding technology/welder degrees were awarded at Cape Fear Community College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, welding technology/welder degree recipients from Cape Fear Community College generally make around $42,889. Students borrow a median of $12,388 to complete this degree. Read more about the welding technology/welder program at Cape Fear Community College

5

Central Carolina Community College is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in welding technology/welder, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the town of Sanford, Central Carolina Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. There were roughly 71 welding technology/welder students who graduated with this degree at Central Carolina Community College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their welding technology/welder degree from Central Carolina Community College earn around $38,198 in the first couple years of their career. Central Carolina Community College graduates carry a median of $10,266 in student loans. See the full welding technology/welder program report for Central Carolina Community College

6

Richmond Community College earned the #6 position for welding technology/welder this year. Located in the town of Hamlet, Richmond Community College is a mid-sized public university. About 54 welding technology/welder degrees were awarded at Richmond Community College in the most recent year. Graduates of the welding technology/welder program make about $31,268 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $8,407. Get the full welding technology/welder details for Richmond Community College

7

Randolph Community College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best welding technology/welder schools. This mid-sized public university is located in the town of Asheboro. Randolph Community College awarded about 45 welding technology/welder degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the welding technology/welder program make about $32,198 in their early career. Get the full welding technology/welder details for Randolph Community College

8

Montgomery Community College earned the #8 position for welding technology/welder this year. Set in the rural area of Troy, Montgomery Community College is a small public institution. About 39 welding technology/welder degrees were awarded at Montgomery Community College in the most recent year. Welding Technology/welder graduates of Montgomery Community College earn a median of $38,983 early in their careers. Get the full welding technology/welder details for Montgomery Community College

9

Catawba Valley Community College landed the #9 spot for welding technology/welder this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the city of Hickory. Catawba Valley Community College awarded about 122 welding technology/welder degrees in the most recent data year. Welding Technology/welder graduates of Catawba Valley Community College earn a median of $38,219 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $9,842. More information about a degree in welding technology/welder from Catawba Valley Community College

10

Isothermal Community College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best welding technology/welder schools. Located in the town of Spindale, Isothermal Community College is a mid-sized public university. There were roughly 73 welding technology/welder students who graduated with this degree at Isothermal Community College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their welding technology/welder degree from Isothermal Community College earn around $47,389 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $6,625 to complete this degree. Read more about the welding technology/welder program at Isothermal Community College

11

Guilford Technical Community College placed #11 among the best welding technology/welder schools. Set in the suburb of Jamestown, Guilford Technical Community College is a large public institution. There were roughly 32 welding technology/welder students who graduated with this degree at Guilford Technical Community College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the welding technology/welder program make about $36,930 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,501. More information about a degree in welding technology/welder from Guilford Technical Community College

12
Gaston College crest
Gaston College
Dallas, NC

Gaston College earned the #12 position for welding technology/welder this year. Set in the suburb of Dallas, Gaston College is a moderately-sized public institution. About 46 welding technology/welder degrees were awarded at Gaston College in the most recent year. Welding Technology/welder graduates of Gaston College earn a median of $39,937 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $10,915 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in welding technology/welder from Gaston College

13

Rockingham Community College earned the #13 position for welding technology/welder this year. This mid-sized public university is located in the rural area of Wentworth. Rockingham Community College awarded about 31 welding technology/welder degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the welding technology/welder program make about $50,048 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete this degree. See the full welding technology/welder program report for Rockingham Community College

14

Rowan Cabarrus Community College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best welding technology/welder schools. Set in the suburb of Salisbury, Rowan Cabarrus Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. There were roughly 129 welding technology/welder students who graduated with this degree at Rowan Cabarrus Community College in the most recent data year. Welding Technology/welder graduates of Rowan Cabarrus Community College earn a median of $34,351 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $10,867 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in welding technology/welder from Rowan Cabarrus Community College

15

Sampson Community College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best welding technology/welder schools. This mid-sized public university is located in the town of Clinton. There were roughly 94 welding technology/welder students who graduated with this degree at Sampson Community College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their welding technology/welder degree from Sampson Community College earn around $45,929 in the first couple years of their career. Sampson Community College graduates carry a median of $12,596 in student loans. Read more about the welding technology/welder program at Sampson Community College

16

Vance Granville Community College earned the #16 position for welding technology/welder this year. Located in the town of Henderson, Vance Granville Community College is a mid-sized public university. Vance Granville Community College awarded about 52 welding technology/welder degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, welding technology/welder degree recipients from Vance Granville Community College generally make around $43,272. Students borrow a median of $14,833 to complete this degree. Get the full welding technology/welder details for Vance Granville Community College

17

Wilkes Community College came in at #17 for welding technology/welder this year. Wilkes Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Wilkesboro. About 86 welding technology/welder degrees were awarded at Wilkes Community College in the most recent year. Graduates of the welding technology/welder program make about $36,341 in their early career. Wilkes Community College graduates carry a median of $9,125 in student loans. See the full welding technology/welder program report for Wilkes Community College

18

Lenoir Community College landed the #18 spot for welding technology/welder this year. Set in the town of Kinston, Lenoir Community College is a mid-sized public institution. About 57 welding technology/welder degrees were awarded at Lenoir Community College in the most recent year. Students who receive their welding technology/welder degree from Lenoir Community College earn around $38,736 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $9,984. Read more about the welding technology/welder program at Lenoir Community College

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Pitt Community College crest
Pitt Community College
Winterville, NC

Pitt Community College landed the #19 spot for welding technology/welder this year. Set in the suburb of Winterville, Pitt Community College is a large public institution. Pitt Community College awarded about 206 welding technology/welder degrees in the most recent data year. Welding Technology/welder graduates of Pitt Community College earn a median of $43,022 early in their careers. Pitt Community College graduates carry a median of $19,741 in student loans. More information about a degree in welding technology/welder from Pitt Community College

20

Wayne Community College placed #20 among the best welding technology/welder schools. Located in the city of Goldsboro, Wayne Community College is a mid-sized public university. Wayne Community College awarded about 130 welding technology/welder degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their welding technology/welder degree from Wayne Community College earn around $33,116 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $5,500. See the full welding technology/welder program report for Wayne Community College

21

Davidson County Community College landed the #21 spot for welding technology/welder this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the rural area of Thomasville. Davidson County Community College awarded about 79 welding technology/welder degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, welding technology/welder degree recipients from Davidson County Community College generally make around $39,990. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete this degree. Read more about the welding technology/welder program at Davidson County Community College

22

Durham Technical Community College earned the #22 position for welding technology/welder this year. Set in the city of Durham, Durham Technical Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Durham Technical Community College awarded about 15 welding technology/welder degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, welding technology/welder degree recipients from Durham Technical Community College generally make around $46,293. Students borrow a median of $20,408 to complete this degree. See the full welding technology/welder program report for Durham Technical Community College

23

Alamance Community College ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best welding technology/welder schools. This moderately-sized public university is located in the suburb of Graham. About 64 welding technology/welder degrees were awarded at Alamance Community College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, welding technology/welder degree recipients from Alamance Community College generally make around $37,585. Students borrow a median of $6,625 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in welding technology/welder from Alamance Community College

24

Forsyth Technical Community College landed the #24 spot for welding technology/welder this year. Located in the city of Winston-Salem, Forsyth Technical Community College is a large public university. There were roughly 79 welding technology/welder students who graduated with this degree at Forsyth Technical Community College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their welding technology/welder degree from Forsyth Technical Community College earn around $38,094 in the first couple years of their career. Forsyth Technical Community College graduates carry a median of $16,374 in student loans. More information about a degree in welding technology/welder from Forsyth Technical Community College

25

Cleveland Community College landed the #25 spot for welding technology/welder this year. This mid-sized public university is located in the town of Shelby. Cleveland Community College awarded about 38 welding technology/welder degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, welding technology/welder degree recipients from Cleveland Community College generally make around $39,891. Cleveland Community College graduates carry a median of $7,131 in student loans. Read more about the welding technology/welder program at Cleveland Community College

Rest of the Top 50 Welding Technology/Welder Schools

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

26
College Of The Albemarle crest
College Of The Albemarle
Elizabeth City, NC
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
Martin Community College crest
Martin Community College
Williamston, NC
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
Carteret Community College crest
Carteret Community College
Morehead City, NC
49
50

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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 · 60 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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