[Welding Technology/Welder](/majors/production-product-development/precision-metal-working/welding-technology-welder/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 744 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for welding technology/welder students.
Finding the Best Value Welding Technology/Welder School for You
The right welding technology/welder school can pay off for years to come. That is why we built our Best Value Welding Technology/Welder Schools ranking. It weighs the cost of a degree against the outcomes graduates go on to achieve, so you can find the strongest return on your investment.
We offer a number of rankings, including this Best Value Welding Technology/Welder Schools list, to help you decide. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
West Georgia Technical College tops our 2027 list of the best value welding technology/welder schools in the United States. West Georgia Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Waco. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,410, while out-of-state students pay about $5,978. Typical student debt for welding technology/welder graduates is $8,000. Soon after graduation, welding technology/welder degree recipients from West Georgia Technical College generally make around $39,922. That is a strong return on a $8,000 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Joliet Junior College earned it the #2 place for welding technology/welder. Located in the suburb of Joliet, Joliet Junior College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,530, with out-of-state students paying around $13,800. Welding Technology/welder graduates carry a median of $11,995 in student loans. Early-career welding technology/welder graduates make about $40,118. That is a strong return on a $11,995 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Johnston Community College earned it the #3 place for welding technology/welder. Set in the town of Smithfield, Johnston Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,756, while out-of-state students pay about $8,900. Students borrow a median of $9,490 to complete the welding technology/welder program here. Early-career welding technology/welder graduates make about $34,171. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at South Georgia Technical College earned it the #4 place for welding technology/welder. South Georgia Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Americus. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,992, with out-of-state students paying around $7,202. Typical student debt for welding technology/welder graduates is $10,423. Early-career welding technology/welder graduates make about $40,497. Set against $10,423 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Spartanburg Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in welding technology/welder, landing the #5 spot this year. Spartanburg Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Spartanburg. In-state tuition and fees average $5,071, with out-of-state students paying around $10,135. Typical student debt for welding technology/welder graduates is $10,148. Soon after graduation, welding technology/welder degree recipients from Spartanburg Community College generally make around $38,147. That is a strong return on a $10,148 median debt.
Del Mar College came in at #6 for value in welding technology/welder this year. Set in the city of Corpus Christi, Del Mar College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,500, compared with $6,050 for out-of-state students. Welding Technology/welder graduates carry a median of $7,476 in student loans. Welding Technology/welder graduates of Del Mar College earn a median of $40,661 early in their careers. Set against $7,476 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Illinois Valley Community College came in at #7 for value in welding technology/welder this year. Illinois Valley Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Oglesby. In-state tuition and fees average $4,200, while out-of-state students pay about $16,385. Students borrow a median of $8,099 to complete the welding technology/welder program here. Early-career welding technology/welder graduates make about $33,224. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
George C Wallace State Community College Dothan placed #8 among the best values for welding technology/welder. George C Wallace State Community College Dothan is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Dothan. In-state tuition and fees average $4,980, while out-of-state students pay about $8,850. Students borrow a median of $9,942 to complete the welding technology/welder program here. Soon after graduation, welding technology/welder degree recipients from George C Wallace State Community College Dothan generally make around $36,834. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Macomb Community College landed the #9 spot for welding technology/welder value this year. Set in the city of Warren, Macomb Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,660 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,370 for out-of-state students. Welding Technology/welder graduates carry a median of $9,862 in student loans. Welding Technology/welder graduates of Macomb Community College earn a median of $38,758 early in their careers. Set against $9,862 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Coastal Pines Technical College landed the #10 spot for welding technology/welder value this year. Coastal Pines Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Waycross. Students from in state pay about $3,268 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,836. Welding Technology/welder graduates carry a median of $5,812 in student loans. Soon after graduation, welding technology/welder degree recipients from Coastal Pines Technical College generally make around $43,040. That is a strong return on a $5,812 median debt.
Southcentral Kentucky Community And Technical College ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value welding technology/welder schools. Set in the city of Bowling Green, Southcentral Kentucky Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,728, with out-of-state students paying around $6,432. Typical student debt for welding technology/welder graduates is $9,413. Early-career welding technology/welder graduates make about $49,879. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Ventura College landed the #12 spot for welding technology/welder value this year. Located in the city of Ventura, Ventura College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,426, while out-of-state students pay about $9,615. Welding Technology/welder graduates carry a median of $20,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, welding technology/welder degree recipients from Ventura College generally make around $99,778. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lake Land College landed the #13 spot for welding technology/welder value this year. Set in the rural area of Mattoon, Lake Land College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,415, while out-of-state students pay about $14,301. Welding Technology/welder graduates carry a median of $7,769 in student loans. Soon after graduation, welding technology/welder degree recipients from Lake Land College generally make around $27,808. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Central Piedmont Community College earned the #14 position for value in welding technology/welder this year. Central Piedmont Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Charlotte. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,792, while out-of-state students pay about $8,936. Students borrow a median of $11,861 to complete the welding technology/welder program here. Welding Technology/welder graduates of Central Piedmont Community College earn a median of $40,149 early in their careers. Set against $11,861 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cerritos College landed the #15 spot for welding technology/welder value this year. Cerritos College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Norwalk. Students from in state pay about $1,364 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,004 for out-of-state students. Welding Technology/welder graduates carry a median of $11,306 in student loans. Soon after graduation, welding technology/welder degree recipients from Cerritos College generally make around $29,495. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lewis And Clark Community College came in at #16 for value in welding technology/welder this year. Lewis And Clark Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Godfrey. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,340, compared with $7,840 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,602 to complete the welding technology/welder program here. Welding Technology/welder graduates of Lewis And Clark Community College earn a median of $37,195 early in their careers. Set against $9,602 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Washtenaw Community College earned the #17 position for value in welding technology/welder this year. Set in the suburb of Ann Arbor, Washtenaw Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,736 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,504 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for welding technology/welder graduates is $17,616. Early-career welding technology/welder graduates make about $45,332. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cleveland Community College earned the #18 position for value in welding technology/welder this year. Set in the town of Shelby, Cleveland Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,602 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,746. Typical student debt for welding technology/welder graduates is $7,131. Welding Technology/welder graduates of Cleveland Community College earn a median of $39,891 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $7,131 median debt.
Southern Regional Technical College earned the #19 position for value in welding technology/welder this year. Southern Regional Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Thomasville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,007, while out-of-state students pay about $5,575. Welding Technology/welder graduates carry a median of $9,086 in student loans. Soon after graduation, welding technology/welder degree recipients from Southern Regional Technical College generally make around $44,007. That is a strong return on a $9,086 median debt.
Santa Ana College placed #20 among the best values for welding technology/welder. Set in the city of Santa Ana, Santa Ana College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,180, while out-of-state students pay about $10,756. Welding Technology/welder graduates carry a median of $11,196 in student loans. Welding Technology/welder graduates of Santa Ana College earn a median of $45,864 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,196 median debt.
South Texas College placed #21 among the best values for welding technology/welder. Set in the city of McAllen, South Texas College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,920, with out-of-state students paying around $7,620. Welding Technology/welder graduates carry a median of $6,868 in student loans. Soon after graduation, welding technology/welder degree recipients from South Texas College generally make around $28,716. That is a strong return on a $6,868 median debt.
Northeast Alabama Community College earned the #22 position for value in welding technology/welder this year. Northeast Alabama Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Rainsville. In-state tuition and fees average $5,040, with out-of-state students paying around $8,910. Typical student debt for welding technology/welder graduates is $7,459. Welding Technology/welder graduates of Northeast Alabama Community College earn a median of $35,119 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $7,459 median debt.
Chipola College ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value welding technology/welder schools. Set in the town of Marianna, Chipola College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,120, compared with $8,950 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,097 to complete the welding technology/welder program here. Early-career welding technology/welder graduates make about $43,599. Set against $9,097 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Modesto Junior College landed the #24 spot for welding technology/welder value this year. Modesto Junior College is a very large public school located in the city of Modesto. In-state tuition and fees average $1,282, compared with $9,264 for out-of-state students. Welding Technology/welder graduates carry a median of $8,575 in student loans. Soon after graduation, welding technology/welder degree recipients from Modesto Junior College generally make around $36,525. Set against $8,575 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of The Mainland placed #25 among the best values for welding technology/welder. Located in the city of Texas City, College Of The Mainland is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $2,310 in tuition and fees, compared with $4,140 for out-of-state students. Welding Technology/welder graduates carry a median of $10,928 in student loans. Welding Technology/welder graduates of College Of The Mainland earn a median of $40,788 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,928 median debt.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Welding Technology/Welder Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s welding technology/welder value ranking:
Welding Technology/Welder Related Rankings by Major
Welding Technology/Welder is one of many programs to choose from within the area of study. See all related rankings.
Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 744 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 744 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).
[Welding Technology/Welder](/majors/production-product-development/precision-metal-working/welding-technology-welder/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
