2027 Best Value Welding Technology/Welder Associate’s Degree Schools
[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.
College Factual analyzed 170 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value welding technology/welder schools.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Welding Technology/Welder Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in welding technology/welder, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Welding Technology/Welder Schools
For return on investment in welding technology/welder, no school beat Spartanburg Community College this year. Located in the suburb of Spartanburg, Spartanburg Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,071, compared with $10,135 for out-of-state students. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Johnston Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in welding technology/welder, landing the #2 spot 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, compared with $8,900 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for welding technology/welder graduates is $9,490. Soon after graduation, welding technology/welder degree recipients from Johnston Community College generally make around $34,171. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #3 makes Ventura College one of the best values for welding technology/welder. Ventura College is a large public school located in the city of Ventura. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,426, compared with $9,615 for out-of-state students. 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. That is a strong return on a $20,250 median debt.
A rank of #4 makes Central Piedmont Community College one of the best values for welding technology/welder. Central Piedmont Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Charlotte. In-state tuition and fees average $2,792, while out-of-state students pay about $8,936. Typical student debt for welding technology/welder graduates is $11,861. Early-career welding technology/welder graduates make about $40,149. Set against $11,861 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in welding technology/welder will find it at Del Mar College, which ranked #5. Del Mar College is a large public school located in the city of Corpus Christi. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,500, compared with $6,050 for out-of-state students. Welding Technology/welder graduates carry a median of $7,476 in student loans. Early-career welding technology/welder graduates make about $40,661. Set against $7,476 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Santa Ana College earned the #6 position for value in welding technology/welder this year. Santa Ana College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Ana. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,180, with out-of-state students paying around $10,756. Typical student debt for welding technology/welder graduates is $11,196. Soon after graduation, welding technology/welder degree recipients from Santa Ana College generally make around $45,864. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cerritos College ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value welding technology/welder schools. Cerritos College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Norwalk. In-state tuition and fees average $1,364, with out-of-state students paying around $12,004. Welding Technology/welder graduates carry a median of $11,306 in student loans. Welding Technology/welder graduates of Cerritos College earn a median of $29,495 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Washtenaw Community College earned the #8 position for value in welding technology/welder 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. Students borrow a median of $17,616 to complete the welding technology/welder program here. Early-career welding technology/welder graduates make about $45,332. Set against $17,616 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
South Texas College placed #9 among the best values for welding technology/welder. Set in the city of McAllen, South Texas College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,920, with out-of-state students paying around $7,620. Typical student debt for welding technology/welder graduates is $6,868. Soon after graduation, welding technology/welder degree recipients from South Texas College generally make around $33,167. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Modesto Junior College placed #10 among the best values for welding technology/welder. Set in the city of Modesto, Modesto Junior College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,282 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,264 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for welding technology/welder graduates is $8,575. Welding Technology/welder graduates of Modesto Junior College earn a median of $36,525 early in their careers. Set against $8,575 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Pima Community College placed #11 among the best values for welding technology/welder. Pima Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Tucson. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,442, while out-of-state students pay about $7,758. Typical student debt for welding technology/welder graduates is $10,655. Early-career welding technology/welder graduates make about $41,132. Set against $10,655 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Shasta College came in at #12 for value in welding technology/welder this year. Shasta College is a large public school located in the suburb of Redding. Students from in state pay about $1,197 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,853 for out-of-state students. Welding Technology/welder graduates carry a median of $12,275 in student loans. Welding Technology/welder graduates of Shasta College earn a median of $50,330 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,275 median debt.
East Mississippi Community College landed the #13 spot for welding technology/welder value this year. Set in the rural area of Scooba, East Mississippi Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,095, compared with $7,445 for out-of-state students. Welding Technology/welder graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Welding Technology/welder graduates of East Mississippi Community College earn a median of $35,345 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.
College Of The Canyons ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value welding technology/welder schools. Located in the suburb of Santa Clarita, College Of The Canyons is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,166, compared with $10,958 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for welding technology/welder graduates is $9,776. Welding Technology/welder graduates of College Of The Canyons earn a median of $51,913 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,776 median debt.
Hartnell College came in at #15 for value in welding technology/welder this year. Hartnell College is a large public school located in the city of Salinas. Students from in state pay about $1,404 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,398. Students borrow a median of $6,000 to complete the welding technology/welder program here. Welding Technology/welder graduates of Hartnell College earn a median of $35,080 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Southcentral Kentucky Community And Technical College landed the #16 spot for welding technology/welder value this year. Set in the city of Bowling Green, Southcentral Kentucky Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,728 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,432. Students borrow a median of $9,413 to complete the welding technology/welder program here. Soon after graduation, welding technology/welder degree recipients from Southcentral Kentucky Community And Technical College generally make around $40,761. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Sampson Community College earned the #17 position for value in welding technology/welder this year. Sampson Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Clinton. Students from in state pay about $2,877 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,789. Typical student debt for welding technology/welder graduates is $12,596. Welding Technology/welder graduates of Sampson Community College earn a median of $45,929 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,596 median debt.
Southwest Mississippi Community College ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value welding technology/welder schools. Located in the rural area of Summit, Southwest Mississippi Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,080, with out-of-state students paying around $6,780. Students borrow a median of $21,057 to complete the welding technology/welder program here. Soon after graduation, welding technology/welder degree recipients from Southwest Mississippi Community College generally make around $50,292. Set against $21,057 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Butte College came in at #19 for value in welding technology/welder this year. Butte College is a large public school located in the rural area of Oroville. Students from in state pay about $1,356 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,276 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for welding technology/welder graduates is $13,302. Soon after graduation, welding technology/welder degree recipients from Butte College generally make around $67,048. That is a strong return on a $13,302 median debt.
Central New Mexico Community College placed #20 among the best values for welding technology/welder. Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Albuquerque. Students from in state pay about $2,060 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,684 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for welding technology/welder graduates is $6,440. Welding Technology/welder graduates of Central New Mexico Community College earn a median of $42,162 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $6,440 median debt.
Elizabethtown Community And Technical College landed the #21 spot for welding technology/welder value this year. Located in the city of Elizabethtown, Elizabethtown Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,728, compared with $6,432 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,166 to complete the welding technology/welder program here. Soon after graduation, welding technology/welder degree recipients from Elizabethtown Community And Technical College generally make around $48,709. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Midlands Technical College placed #22 among the best values for welding technology/welder. Set in the suburb of West Columbia, Midlands Technical College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,100 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $14,700. Students borrow a median of $10,500 to complete the welding technology/welder program here. Soon after graduation, welding technology/welder degree recipients from Midlands Technical College generally make around $47,556. Set against $10,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Delta College placed #23 among the best values for welding technology/welder. Set in the rural area of University Center, Delta College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,820, while out-of-state students pay about $7,880. Typical student debt for welding technology/welder graduates is $14,075. Soon after graduation, welding technology/welder degree recipients from Delta College generally make around $34,112. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Westmoreland County Community College placed #24 among the best values for welding technology/welder. Westmoreland County Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Youngwood. In-state tuition and fees average $6,306, with out-of-state students paying around $14,728. Welding Technology/welder graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $37,439. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Eastern Wyoming College earned the #25 position for value in welding technology/welder this year. Located in the town of Torrington, Eastern Wyoming College is a small public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,290, while out-of-state students pay about $10,590. Students borrow a median of $6,951 to complete the welding technology/welder program here. Welding Technology/welder graduates of Eastern Wyoming College earn a median of $40,902 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Welding Technology/Welder Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in welding technology/welder:
Other Welding Technology/Welder Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Welding Technology/Welder rankings across degree levels:
View All Welding Technology/Welder Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 170 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 170 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
