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2026 Best Welding Technology/Welder Schools in the Southwest Region

11 Colleges in the United States
12,880 Welding Technology/Welder Degrees Awarded
$39,032 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.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 134 schools to find the best for welding technology/welder students.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Welding Technology/Welder in the Southwest Region

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

Texas State Technical College is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in welding technology/welder. This large public university is located in the city of Waco. Texas State Technical College awarded about 563 welding technology/welder degrees in the most recent data year. Welding Technology/welder graduates of Texas State Technical College earn a median of $37,477 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $8,905 to complete this degree. Read more about the welding technology/welder program at Texas State Technical College

2

Students looking for a strong welding technology/welder program will find one at Mesa Community College, which ranked #2. This very large public university is located in the city of Mesa. There were roughly 403 welding technology/welder students who graduated with this degree at Mesa Community College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, welding technology/welder degree recipients from Mesa Community College generally make around $54,730. Students borrow a median of $13,750 to complete this degree. Get the full welding technology/welder details for Mesa Community College

3

Wharton County Junior College is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in welding technology/welder, landing the #3 spot this year. Wharton County Junior College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Wharton. About 33 welding technology/welder degrees were awarded at Wharton County Junior College in the most recent year. Students who receive their welding technology/welder degree from Wharton County Junior College earn around $28,408 in the first couple years of their career. Wharton County Junior College graduates carry a median of $10,916 in student loans. See the full welding technology/welder program report for Wharton County Junior College

4

Austin Community College District came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best welding technology/welder schools. Set in the city of Austin, Austin Community College District is a very large public institution. Austin Community College District awarded about 327 welding technology/welder degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their welding technology/welder degree from Austin Community College District earn around $42,270 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $14,970. More information about a degree in welding technology/welder from Austin Community College District

5

Frank Phillips College is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in welding technology/welder, ranking #5. Set in the town of Borger, Frank Phillips College is a mid-sized public institution. Frank Phillips College awarded about 61 welding technology/welder degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, welding technology/welder degree recipients from Frank Phillips College generally make around $37,080. Read more about the welding technology/welder program at Frank Phillips College

6
Lone Star College System crest
Lone Star College System
The Woodlands, TX

Lone Star College System earned the #6 position for welding technology/welder this year. Lone Star College System is a very large public school located in the city of The Woodlands. There were roughly 381 welding technology/welder students who graduated with this degree at Lone Star College System in the most recent data year. Students who receive their welding technology/welder degree from Lone Star College System earn around $40,863 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $4,562. More information about a degree in welding technology/welder from Lone Star College System

7

North Central Texas College earned the #7 position for welding technology/welder this year. This large public university is located in the town of Gainesville. North Central Texas College awarded about 110 welding technology/welder degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the welding technology/welder program make about $43,536 in their early career. North Central Texas College graduates carry a median of $15,965 in student loans. Get the full welding technology/welder details for North Central Texas College

8
Del Mar College crest
Del Mar College
Corpus Christi, TX

Del Mar College came in at #8 for welding technology/welder this year. This large public university is located in the city of Corpus Christi. Del Mar College awarded about 259 welding technology/welder degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their welding technology/welder degree from Del Mar College earn around $40,661 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $7,476 to complete this degree. See the full welding technology/welder program report for Del Mar College

9
San Juan College crest
San Juan College
Farmington, NM

San Juan College landed the #9 spot for welding technology/welder this year. Set in the rural area of Farmington, San Juan College is a moderately-sized public institution. San Juan College awarded about 77 welding technology/welder degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, welding technology/welder degree recipients from San Juan College generally make around $41,697. Typical student debt for the program is $16,150. More information about a degree in welding technology/welder from San Juan College

10

Pima Community College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best welding technology/welder schools. Located in the city of Tucson, Pima Community College is a very large public university. There were roughly 39 welding technology/welder students who graduated with this degree at Pima Community College in the most recent data year. Welding Technology/welder graduates of Pima Community College earn a median of $41,132 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $10,655 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in welding technology/welder from Pima Community College

11
Lee College crest
Lee College
Baytown, TX

Lee College earned the #11 position for welding technology/welder this year. Lee College is a large public school located in the city of Baytown. There were roughly 185 welding technology/welder students who graduated with this degree at Lee College in the most recent data year. Welding Technology/welder graduates of Lee College earn a median of $53,448 early in their careers. Lee College graduates carry a median of $10,941 in student loans. See the full welding technology/welder program report for Lee College

12

Gateway Community College Central City ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best welding technology/welder schools. Located in the city of Phoenix, Gateway Community College Central City is a small public university. About 13 welding technology/welder degrees were awarded at Gateway Community College Central City in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, welding technology/welder degree recipients from Gateway Community College Central City generally make around $45,781. Gateway Community College Central City graduates carry a median of $15,037 in student loans. Get the full welding technology/welder details for Gateway Community College Central City

13

Collin County Community College District landed the #13 spot for welding technology/welder this year. Located in the suburb of McKinney, Collin County Community College District is a very large public university. Collin County Community College District awarded about 385 welding technology/welder degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, welding technology/welder degree recipients from Collin County Community College District generally make around $42,177. Collin County Community College District graduates carry a median of $9,716 in student loans. See the full welding technology/welder program report for Collin County Community College District

14

San Jacinto Community College earned the #14 position for welding technology/welder this year. Set in the city of Pasadena, San Jacinto Community College is a very large public institution. San Jacinto Community College awarded about 352 welding technology/welder degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, welding technology/welder degree recipients from San Jacinto Community College generally make around $42,512. San Jacinto Community College graduates carry a median of $11,376 in student loans. Read more about the welding technology/welder program at San Jacinto Community College

15
Brazosport College crest
Brazosport College
Lake Jackson, TX

Brazosport College came in at #15 for welding technology/welder this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the suburb of Lake Jackson. Brazosport College awarded about 27 welding technology/welder degrees in the most recent data year. Welding Technology/welder graduates of Brazosport College earn a median of $32,746 early in their careers. Brazosport College graduates carry a median of $6,625 in student loans. See the full welding technology/welder program report for Brazosport College

16

Central Arizona College placed #16 among the best welding technology/welder schools. Set in the rural area of Coolidge, Central Arizona College is a moderately-sized public institution. About 68 welding technology/welder degrees were awarded at Central Arizona College in the most recent year. Graduates of the welding technology/welder program make about $48,826 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $11,635. See the full welding technology/welder program report for Central Arizona College

17
Blinn College crest
Blinn College
Brenham, TX

Blinn College came in at #17 for welding technology/welder this year. This very large public university is located in the town of Brenham. Blinn College awarded about 63 welding technology/welder degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the welding technology/welder program make about $43,408 in their early career. Blinn College graduates carry a median of $16,465 in student loans. Read more about the welding technology/welder program at Blinn College

18

Alvin Community College placed #18 among the best welding technology/welder schools. Located in the suburb of Alvin, Alvin Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Alvin Community College awarded about 31 welding technology/welder degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the welding technology/welder program make about $55,057 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $8,600 to complete this degree. Read more about the welding technology/welder program at Alvin Community College

19

Central New Mexico Community College earned the #19 position for welding technology/welder this year. Set in the city of Albuquerque, Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public institution. About 99 welding technology/welder degrees were awarded at Central New Mexico Community College in the most recent year. Students who receive their welding technology/welder degree from Central New Mexico Community College earn around $42,162 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $6,440. More information about a degree in welding technology/welder from Central New Mexico Community College

20
Kilgore College crest
Kilgore College
Kilgore, TX

Kilgore College came in at #20 for welding technology/welder this year. Located in the town of Kilgore, Kilgore College is a moderately-sized public university. There were roughly 33 welding technology/welder students who graduated with this degree at Kilgore College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, welding technology/welder degree recipients from Kilgore College generally make around $44,322. Students borrow a median of $16,734 to complete this degree. Read more about the welding technology/welder program at Kilgore College

21
Midland College crest
Midland College
Midland, TX

Midland College landed the #21 spot for welding technology/welder this year. Located in the city of Midland, Midland College is a moderately-sized public university. Midland College awarded about 61 welding technology/welder degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the welding technology/welder program make about $43,454 in their early career. Midland College graduates carry a median of $9,000 in student loans. Get the full welding technology/welder details for Midland College

22

El Paso Community College came in at #22 for welding technology/welder this year. El Paso Community College is a very large public school located in the city of El Paso. There were roughly 70 welding technology/welder students who graduated with this degree at El Paso Community College in the most recent data year. Welding Technology/welder graduates of El Paso Community College earn a median of $29,086 early in their careers. El Paso Community College graduates carry a median of $8,542 in student loans. Read more about the welding technology/welder program at El Paso Community College

23

South Texas College placed #23 among the best welding technology/welder schools. Located in the city of McAllen, South Texas College is a very large public university. South Texas College graduates 20% of students within six years. About 480 welding technology/welder degrees were awarded at South Texas College in the most recent year. Students who receive their welding technology/welder degree from South Texas College earn around $28,716 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $6,868. See the full welding technology/welder program report for South Texas College

24
Galveston College crest
Galveston College
Galveston, TX

Galveston College placed #24 among the best welding technology/welder schools. This mid-sized public university is located in the city of Galveston. There were roughly 71 welding technology/welder students who graduated with this degree at Galveston College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the welding technology/welder program make about $51,165 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $15,183. Read more about the welding technology/welder program at Galveston College

25

Eastern New Mexico University Roswell Campus earned the #25 position for welding technology/welder this year. Eastern New Mexico University Roswell Campus is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Roswell. Eastern New Mexico University Roswell Campus awarded about 86 welding technology/welder degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their welding technology/welder degree from Eastern New Mexico University Roswell Campus earn around $21,129 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $11,110. Get the full welding technology/welder details for Eastern New Mexico University Roswell Campus

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 Mainland crest
College Of The Mainland
Texas City, TX
27
Panola College crest
Panola College
Carthage, TX
28
Cochise College crest
Cochise College
Sierra Vista, AZ
29
30
St Philips College crest
St Philips College
San Antonio, TX
31
Yavapai College crest
Yavapai College
Prescott, AZ
32
33
Odessa College crest
Odessa College
Odessa, TX
34
35
36
Victoria College crest
Victoria College
Victoria, TX
37
Grayson College crest
Grayson College
Denison, TX
38
39
40
Weatherford College crest
Weatherford College
Weatherford, TX
41
Ranger College crest
Ranger College
Ranger, TX
42
43
Texarkana College crest
Texarkana College
Texarkana, TX
44
South Plains College crest
South Plains College
Levelland, TX
45
Clarendon College crest
Clarendon College
Clarendon, TX
46
Angelina College crest
Angelina College
Lufkin, TX
47
48
49
50
Cisco College crest
Cisco College
Cisco, TX

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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 · 134 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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