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2026 Best Welding Technology/Welder Schools in the The Plains States Region

13 Colleges in the United States
4,091 Welding Technology/Welder Degrees Awarded
$44,008 Avg Early-Career Salary

Welding Technology/Welder degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.

College Factual analyzed 100 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best welding technology/welder schools.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Welding Technology/Welder in the The Plains States 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

No school ranked higher than Linn State Technical College this year for welding technology/welder. Set in the rural area of Linn, Linn State Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. About 22 welding technology/welder degrees were awarded at Linn State Technical College in the most recent year. Graduates of the welding technology/welder program make about $47,325 in their early career. Linn State Technical College graduates carry a median of $11,474 in student loans. Read more about the welding technology/welder program at Linn State Technical College

2
Hennepin Technical College crest
Hennepin Technical College
Brooklyn Park, MN

Hennepin Technical College is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in welding technology/welder, ranking #2. Located in the suburb of Brooklyn Park, Hennepin Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Hennepin Technical College awarded about 38 welding technology/welder degrees in the most recent data year. Welding Technology/welder graduates of Hennepin Technical College earn a median of $56,143 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $9,329 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in welding technology/welder from Hennepin Technical College

3
South Central College crest
South Central College
North Mankato, MN

South Central College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best welding technology/welder schools. South Central College is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of North Mankato. About 49 welding technology/welder degrees were awarded at South Central College in the most recent year. Welding Technology/welder graduates of South Central College earn a median of $41,527 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $3,666 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in welding technology/welder from South Central College

4

Dunwoody College Of Technology is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in welding technology/welder, ranking #4. Set in the city of Minneapolis, Dunwoody College Of Technology is a small private not-for-profit institution. About 86% of students finish within six years. Dunwoody College Of Technology awarded about 28 welding technology/welder degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, welding technology/welder degree recipients from Dunwoody College Of Technology generally make around $49,874. Dunwoody College Of Technology graduates carry a median of $9,167 in student loans. More information about a degree in welding technology/welder from Dunwoody College Of Technology

5

A rank of #5 makes Bismarck State College one of the top schools for welding technology/welder. This moderately-sized public university is located in the city of Bismarck. There were roughly 24 welding technology/welder students who graduated with this degree at Bismarck State College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their welding technology/welder degree from Bismarck State College earn around $61,364 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $13,340 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in welding technology/welder from Bismarck State College

6

North Dakota State College Of Science came in at #6 for welding technology/welder this year. Set in the town of Wahpeton, North Dakota State College Of Science is a mid-sized public institution. About 39 welding technology/welder degrees were awarded at North Dakota State College Of Science in the most recent year. Students who receive their welding technology/welder degree from North Dakota State College Of Science earn around $51,647 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $11,246. More information about a degree in welding technology/welder from North Dakota State College Of Science

7

Wichita Area Technical College came in at #7 for welding technology/welder this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the city of Wichita. There were roughly 158 welding technology/welder students who graduated with this degree at Wichita Area Technical College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, welding technology/welder degree recipients from Wichita Area Technical College generally make around $30,515. Wichita Area Technical College graduates carry a median of $5,564 in student loans. Get the full welding technology/welder details for Wichita Area Technical College

8

Anoka Technical College landed the #8 spot for welding technology/welder this year. This mid-sized public university is located in the suburb of Anoka. There were roughly 101 welding technology/welder students who graduated with this degree at Anoka Technical College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, welding technology/welder degree recipients from Anoka Technical College generally make around $50,690. Anoka Technical College graduates carry a median of $8,692 in student loans. See the full welding technology/welder program report for Anoka Technical College

9

Southeast Community College Area placed #9 among the best welding technology/welder schools. Set in the city of Lincoln, Southeast Community College Area is a large public institution. Southeast Community College Area awarded about 155 welding technology/welder degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their welding technology/welder degree from Southeast Community College Area earn around $49,114 in the first couple years of their career. Southeast Community College Area graduates carry a median of $11,650 in student loans. Read more about the welding technology/welder program at Southeast Community College Area

10

Lake Area Technical Institute placed #10 among the best welding technology/welder schools. Located in the town of Watertown, Lake Area Technical Institute is a mid-sized public university. Lake Area Technical Institute awarded about 55 welding technology/welder degrees in the most recent data year. Welding Technology/welder graduates of Lake Area Technical Institute earn a median of $43,436 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $11,001. Get the full welding technology/welder details for Lake Area Technical Institute

11

Northeast Community College came in at #11 for welding technology/welder this year. Located in the town of Norfolk, Northeast Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Northeast Community College awarded about 60 welding technology/welder degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the welding technology/welder program make about $38,353 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete this degree. See the full welding technology/welder program report for Northeast Community College

12

Flint Hills Technical College came in at #12 for welding technology/welder this year. Located in the town of Emporia, Flint Hills Technical College is a mid-sized public university. About 39 welding technology/welder degrees were awarded at Flint Hills Technical College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, welding technology/welder degree recipients from Flint Hills Technical College generally make around $36,731. Flint Hills Technical College graduates carry a median of $14,690 in student loans. More information about a degree in welding technology/welder from Flint Hills Technical College

13

Salina Area Technical College came in at #13 for welding technology/welder this year. Located in the town of Salina, Salina Area Technical College is a small public university. About 56 welding technology/welder degrees were awarded at Salina Area Technical College in the most recent year. Graduates of the welding technology/welder program make about $38,440 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $17,124 to complete this degree. Get the full welding technology/welder details for Salina Area Technical College

14

Alexandria Technical And Community College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best welding technology/welder schools. Set in the town of Alexandria, Alexandria Technical And Community College is a mid-sized public institution. About 39 welding technology/welder degrees were awarded at Alexandria Technical And Community College in the most recent year. Graduates of the welding technology/welder program make about $51,141 in their early career. Alexandria Technical And Community College graduates carry a median of $9,500 in student loans. Get the full welding technology/welder details for Alexandria Technical And Community College

15

Dakota County Technical College landed the #15 spot for welding technology/welder this year. Dakota County Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Rosemount. There were roughly 51 welding technology/welder students who graduated with this degree at Dakota County Technical College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the welding technology/welder program make about $50,464 in their early career. Dakota County Technical College graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Read more about the welding technology/welder program at Dakota County Technical College

16
Central Community College crest
Central Community College
Grand Island, NE

Central Community College earned the #16 position for welding technology/welder this year. Central Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Grand Island. There were roughly 213 welding technology/welder students who graduated with this degree at Central Community College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the welding technology/welder program make about $39,409 in their early career. Central Community College graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. More information about a degree in welding technology/welder from Central Community College

17

Metropolitan Community College Kansas City placed #17 among the best welding technology/welder schools. Metropolitan Community College Kansas City is a large public school located in the city of Kansas City. Metropolitan Community College Kansas City awarded about 94 welding technology/welder degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, welding technology/welder degree recipients from Metropolitan Community College Kansas City generally make around $36,908. Students borrow a median of $12,281 to complete this degree. See the full welding technology/welder program report for Metropolitan Community College Kansas City

18

Neosho County Community College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best welding technology/welder schools. Neosho County Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Chanute. About 108 welding technology/welder degrees were awarded at Neosho County Community College in the most recent year. Welding Technology/welder graduates of Neosho County Community College earn a median of $44,672 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $13,209. See the full welding technology/welder program report for Neosho County Community College

19

Washburn Institute Of Technology placed #19 among the best welding technology/welder schools. Washburn Institute Of Technology is a small public school located in the city of Topeka. About 126 welding technology/welder degrees were awarded at Washburn Institute Of Technology in the most recent year. Welding Technology/welder graduates of Washburn Institute Of Technology earn a median of $39,720 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $6,642. Read more about the welding technology/welder program at Washburn Institute Of Technology

20

Central Lakes College Brainerd came in at #20 for welding technology/welder this year. Set in the town of Brainerd, Central Lakes College Brainerd is a moderately-sized public institution. About 45 welding technology/welder degrees were awarded at Central Lakes College Brainerd in the most recent year. Students who receive their welding technology/welder degree from Central Lakes College Brainerd earn around $40,671 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in welding technology/welder from Central Lakes College Brainerd

21

Southeast Technical Institute ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best welding technology/welder schools. Located in the city of Sioux Falls, Southeast Technical Institute is a mid-sized public university. Southeast Technical Institute awarded about 45 welding technology/welder degrees in the most recent data year. Welding Technology/welder graduates of Southeast Technical Institute earn a median of $48,654 early in their careers. Southeast Technical Institute graduates carry a median of $18,442 in student loans. Get the full welding technology/welder details for Southeast Technical Institute

22

Western Iowa Tech Community College placed #22 among the best welding technology/welder schools. Located in the city of Sioux City, Western Iowa Tech Community College is a moderately-sized public university. There were roughly 29 welding technology/welder students who graduated with this degree at Western Iowa Tech Community College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, welding technology/welder degree recipients from Western Iowa Tech Community College generally make around $41,613. Typical student debt for the program is $7,910. More information about a degree in welding technology/welder from Western Iowa Tech Community College

23

Seward County Community College And Area Technical School came in at #23 for welding technology/welder this year. Seward County Community College And Area Technical School is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Liberal. About 42 welding technology/welder degrees were awarded at Seward County Community College And Area Technical School in the most recent year. Graduates of the welding technology/welder program make about $53,375 in their early career. Seward County Community College And Area Technical School graduates carry a median of $9,175 in student loans. See the full welding technology/welder program report for Seward County Community College And Area Technical School

24

Manhattan Area Technical College placed #24 among the best welding technology/welder schools. Manhattan Area Technical College is a small public school located in the city of Manhattan. Manhattan Area Technical College awarded about 44 welding technology/welder degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the welding technology/welder program make about $34,077 in their early career. Manhattan Area Technical College graduates carry a median of $8,250 in student loans. Get the full welding technology/welder details for Manhattan Area Technical College

25

Marshalltown Community College landed the #25 spot for welding technology/welder this year. Located in the town of Marshalltown, Marshalltown Community College is a mid-sized public university. There were roughly 63 welding technology/welder students who graduated with this degree at Marshalltown Community College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, welding technology/welder degree recipients from Marshalltown Community College generally make around $45,972. Marshalltown Community College graduates carry a median of $11,577 in student loans. Read more about the welding technology/welder program at Marshalltown 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
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
Ridgewater College crest
Ridgewater College
Willmar, MN
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
Ranken Technical College crest
Ranken Technical College
Saint Louis, MO
42
43
44
45
Kirkwood Community College crest
Kirkwood Community College
Cedar Rapids, IA
46
47
48
49
50

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Notes and References

The ranking above is published 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 · 100 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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