by our College Data Analytics Team
[Welding Technology/Welder](/majors/production-product-development/precision-metal-working/welding-technology-welder/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 946 schools to find the best return on investment for welding technology/welder students.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the welding technology/welder degrees they offer, see the list below.
For return on investment in welding technology/welder, no school beat Cerritos College this year. Cerritos College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Norwalk. In-state tuition and fees average $1,364, compared with $12,004 for out-of-state students. Welding Technology/welder graduates carry a median of $11,306 in student loans. Early-career welding technology/welder graduates make about $29,495. That is a strong return on a $11,306 median debt.
Central Piedmont Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in welding technology/welder, landing the #2 spot this year. Central Piedmont Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Charlotte. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,792, with out-of-state students paying around $8,936. Welding Technology/welder graduates carry a median of $11,861 in student loans. Soon after graduation, welding technology/welder degree recipients from Central Piedmont Community College generally make around $40,149. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in welding technology/welder will find it at Mt San Antonio College, which ranked #3. Located in the suburb of Walnut, Mt San Antonio College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,364, while out-of-state students pay about $10,464. Students borrow a median of $9,384 to complete the welding technology/welder program here. Welding Technology/welder graduates of Mt San Antonio College earn a median of $44,391 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Central Carolina Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in welding technology/welder, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the town of Sanford, Central Carolina Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,711, with out-of-state students paying around $8,855. Typical student debt for welding technology/welder graduates is $10,266. Soon after graduation, welding technology/welder degree recipients from Central Carolina Community College generally make around $38,198. Set against $10,266 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Pima Community College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value welding technology/welder schools. Located in the city of Tucson, Pima Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,442, while out-of-state students pay about $7,758. Students borrow a median of $10,655 to complete the welding technology/welder program here. Soon after graduation, welding technology/welder degree recipients from Pima Community College generally make around $41,132. Set against $10,655 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Fresno City College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value welding technology/welder schools. Set in the city of Fresno, Fresno City College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,378, while out-of-state students pay about $8,638. Welding Technology/welder graduates carry a median of $7,234 in student loans. Soon after graduation, welding technology/welder degree recipients from Fresno City College generally make around $37,470. Set against $7,234 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
East Mississippi Community College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value welding technology/welder schools. East Mississippi Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Scooba. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,095, compared with $7,445 for out-of-state students. Welding Technology/welder graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, welding technology/welder degree recipients from East Mississippi Community College generally make around $35,345. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Washtenaw Community College landed the #8 spot for welding technology/welder value this year. Washtenaw Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Ann Arbor. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,736, compared with $6,504 for out-of-state students. Welding Technology/welder graduates carry a median of $17,616 in student loans. Soon after graduation, welding technology/welder degree recipients from Washtenaw Community College generally make around $45,332. That is a strong return on a $17,616 median debt.
Clover Park Technical College placed #9 among the best values for welding technology/welder. Located in the city of Lakewood, Clover Park Technical College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,634. Welding Technology/welder graduates carry a median of $15,154 in student loans. Soon after graduation, welding technology/welder degree recipients from Clover Park Technical College generally make around $42,209. Set against $15,154 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Ventura College came in at #10 for value in welding technology/welder this year. Set in the city of Ventura, Ventura College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,426 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,615. Students borrow a median of $20,250 to complete the welding technology/welder program here. Early-career welding technology/welder graduates make about $99,778. Set against $20,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Johnston Community College landed the #11 spot for welding technology/welder value this year. Set in the town of Smithfield, Johnston Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,756, with out-of-state students paying around $8,900. Students borrow a median of $9,490 to complete the welding technology/welder program here. Welding Technology/welder graduates of Johnston Community College earn a median of $34,171 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Central New Mexico Community College landed the #12 spot for welding technology/welder value this year. Set in the city of Albuquerque, Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,060, with out-of-state students paying around $8,684. Typical student debt for welding technology/welder graduates is $6,440. Soon after graduation, welding technology/welder degree recipients from Central New Mexico Community College generally make around $42,162. Set against $6,440 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
South Texas College landed the #13 spot for welding technology/welder value this year. Located in the city of McAllen, South Texas College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,920, while out-of-state students pay about $7,620. Welding Technology/welder graduates carry a median of $6,868 in student loans. Early-career welding technology/welder graduates make about $33,167. That is a strong return on a $6,868 median debt.
College Of The Sequoias ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value welding technology/welder schools. Located in the city of Visalia, College Of The Sequoias is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,394 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,038. Students borrow a median of $10,288 to complete the welding technology/welder program here. Soon after graduation, welding technology/welder degree recipients from College Of The Sequoias generally make around $37,749. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Southcentral Kentucky Community And Technical College placed #15 among the best values for welding technology/welder. Located in the city of Bowling Green, Southcentral Kentucky Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,728, with out-of-state students paying around $6,432. Typical student debt for welding technology/welder graduates is $9,413. Welding Technology/welder graduates of Southcentral Kentucky Community And Technical College earn a median of $40,761 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,413 median debt.
Bates Technical College landed the #16 spot for welding technology/welder value this year. Located in the city of Tacoma, Bates Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $6,027 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,165. Graduates go on to earn a median of $50,051 ten years after entry.
Owensboro Community And Technical College landed the #17 spot for welding technology/welder value this year. Owensboro Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Owensboro. Students from in state pay about $4,728 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,432. Typical student debt for welding technology/welder graduates is $7,475. Early-career welding technology/welder graduates make about $45,366. Set against $7,475 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Metropolitan Community College Area came in at #18 for value in welding technology/welder this year. Metropolitan Community College Area is a very large public school located in the city of Omaha. In-state tuition and fees average $3,375, while out-of-state students pay about $4,950. Welding Technology/welder graduates carry a median of $12,799 in student loans. Early-career welding technology/welder graduates make about $45,583. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Horry Georgetown Technical College came in at #19 for value in welding technology/welder this year. Located in the city of Conway, Horry Georgetown Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,518 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,978. Typical student debt for welding technology/welder graduates is $5,875. Welding Technology/welder graduates of Horry Georgetown Technical College earn a median of $33,002 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Del Mar College ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value welding technology/welder schools. Set in the city of Corpus Christi, Del Mar College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,500, with out-of-state students paying around $6,050. Students borrow a median of $7,476 to complete the welding technology/welder program here. Welding Technology/welder graduates of Del Mar College earn a median of $40,661 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Gadsden State Community College earned the #21 position for value in welding technology/welder this year. Gadsden State Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Gadsden. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,272, while out-of-state students pay about $7,368. Welding Technology/welder graduates carry a median of $9,312 in student loans. Soon after graduation, welding technology/welder degree recipients from Gadsden State Community College generally make around $41,252. Set against $9,312 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Santa Ana College landed the #22 spot for welding technology/welder value this year. Set in the city of Santa Ana, Santa Ana College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,180, compared with $10,756 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,196 to complete the welding technology/welder program here. Welding Technology/welder graduates of Santa Ana College earn a median of $45,864 early in their careers. Set against $11,196 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Wytheville Community College placed #23 among the best values for welding technology/welder. Wytheville Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Wytheville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,007, with out-of-state students paying around $11,445. Typical student debt for welding technology/welder graduates is $9,542. Soon after graduation, welding technology/welder degree recipients from Wytheville Community College generally make around $40,973. That is a strong return on a $9,542 median debt.
Imperial Valley College earned the #24 position for value in welding technology/welder this year. Imperial Valley College is a large public school located in the rural area of Imperial. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,126, while out-of-state students pay about $8,830. Typical student debt for welding technology/welder graduates is $6,176. Soon after graduation, welding technology/welder degree recipients from Imperial Valley College generally make around $42,617. Set against $6,176 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Sampson Community College landed the #25 spot for welding technology/welder value this year. Located in the town of Clinton, Sampson Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,877, while out-of-state students pay about $9,789. Students borrow a median of $12,596 to complete the welding technology/welder program here. Early-career welding technology/welder graduates make about $45,929. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in welding technology/welder:
Explore the best-value welding technology/welder schools at other degree levels:
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 946 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 61 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.