2026 Best Value Welding Technology/Welder Schools in the Far Western Region
[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. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 121 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for welding technology/welder students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Welding Technology/Welder Schools in the Far Western Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the welding technology/welder degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Welding Technology/Welder Schools
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. Students borrow a median of $11,306 to complete the welding technology/welder program here. Early-career welding technology/welder graduates make about $29,495. 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 #2. Located in the suburb of Walnut, Mt San Antonio College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,364 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,464 for out-of-state students. Welding Technology/welder graduates carry a median of $9,384 in student loans. Early-career welding technology/welder graduates make about $44,391. Set against $9,384 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Reedley College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in welding technology/welder, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the town of Reedley, Reedley College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,378, compared with $8,638 for out-of-state students. Welding Technology/welder graduates carry a median of $6,500 in student loans. Early-career welding technology/welder graduates make about $30,520. Set against $6,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Fresno City College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in welding technology/welder, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Fresno, Fresno City College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,378, with out-of-state students paying around $8,638. Typical student debt for welding technology/welder graduates is $7,234. Welding Technology/welder graduates of Fresno City College earn a median of $37,470 early in their careers. 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 Ventura College, which ranked #5. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $9,615. Typical student debt for welding technology/welder graduates is $20,250. Early-career welding technology/welder graduates make about $99,778. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of The Sequoias placed #6 among the best values for welding technology/welder. Located in the city of Visalia, College Of The Sequoias is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,394, while out-of-state students pay about $9,038. Welding Technology/welder graduates carry a median of $10,288 in student loans. Early-career welding technology/welder graduates make about $37,749. That is a strong return on a $10,288 median debt.
Clover Park Technical College came in at #7 for value in welding technology/welder this year. Located in the city of Lakewood, Clover Park Technical College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $6,634 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for welding technology/welder graduates is $15,154. Early-career welding technology/welder graduates make about $42,209. Set against $15,154 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Santa Ana College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value welding technology/welder schools. Located in the city of Santa Ana, Santa Ana College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,180 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,756. Typical student debt for welding technology/welder graduates is $11,196. 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.
College Of The Redwoods came in at #9 for value in welding technology/welder this year. Set in the rural area of Eureka, College Of The Redwoods is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,196 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,852. Welding Technology/welder graduates carry a median of $20,000 in student loans. Early-career welding technology/welder graduates make about $98,703. Set against $20,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Imperial Valley College placed #10 among the best values for welding technology/welder. 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, compared with $8,830 for out-of-state students. Welding Technology/welder graduates carry a median of $6,176 in student loans. Soon after graduation, welding technology/welder degree recipients from Imperial Valley College generally make around $42,617. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Bates Technical College landed the #11 spot for welding technology/welder value this year. Bates Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Tacoma. In-state tuition and fees average $6,027, compared with $12,165 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $50,051.
Pasadena City College earned the #12 position for value in welding technology/welder this year. Set in the city of Pasadena, Pasadena City College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,180, while out-of-state students pay about $10,924. Welding Technology/welder graduates carry a median of $9,191 in student loans. Soon after graduation, welding technology/welder degree recipients from Pasadena City College generally make around $38,841. That is a strong return on a $9,191 median debt.
Yuba College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value welding technology/welder schools. Set in the suburb of Marysville, Yuba College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,128, with out-of-state students paying around $8,208. Welding Technology/welder graduates carry a median of $8,729 in student loans. Soon after graduation, welding technology/welder degree recipients from Yuba College generally make around $89,816. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Butte College came in at #14 for value in welding technology/welder this year. Set in the rural area of Oroville, Butte College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,356, compared with $9,276 for out-of-state students. Welding Technology/welder graduates carry a median of $13,302 in student loans. Soon after graduation, welding technology/welder degree recipients from Butte College generally make around $67,048. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Shasta College earned the #15 position for value in welding technology/welder this year. Shasta College is a large public school located in the suburb of Redding. In-state tuition and fees average $1,197, with out-of-state students paying around $8,853. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Grays Harbor College came in at #16 for value in welding technology/welder this year. Located in the rural area of Aberdeen, Grays Harbor College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,593, compared with $12,553 for out-of-state students. Welding Technology/welder graduates carry a median of $12,524 in student loans. Soon after graduation, welding technology/welder degree recipients from Grays Harbor College generally make around $46,018. That is a strong return on a $12,524 median debt.
Chabot College placed #17 among the best values for welding technology/welder. Located in the suburb of Hayward, Chabot College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,150, while out-of-state students pay about $8,686. Welding Technology/welder graduates carry a median of $14,122 in student loans. Soon after graduation, welding technology/welder degree recipients from Chabot College generally make around $85,175. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Riverside City College placed #18 among the best values for welding technology/welder. Riverside City College is a very large public school located in the city of Riverside. In-state tuition and fees average $1,428, with out-of-state students paying around $12,498. Welding Technology/welder graduates carry a median of $8,767 in student loans. Soon after graduation, welding technology/welder degree recipients from Riverside City College generally make around $37,102. Set against $8,767 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Merced College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value welding technology/welder schools. Located in the city of Merced, Merced College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,200, compared with $8,520 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for welding technology/welder graduates is $9,024. Soon after graduation, welding technology/welder degree recipients from Merced College generally make around $27,541. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Victor Valley College landed the #20 spot for welding technology/welder value this year. Set in the suburb of Victorville, Victor Valley College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,425, with out-of-state students paying around $10,125. Students borrow a median of $7,995 to complete the welding technology/welder program here. Early-career welding technology/welder graduates make about $37,755. Set against $7,995 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Renton Technical College earned the #21 position for value in welding technology/welder this year. Set in the city of Renton, Renton Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,330, compared with $7,768 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,582 to complete the welding technology/welder program here. Soon after graduation, welding technology/welder degree recipients from Renton Technical College generally make around $80,411. That is a strong return on a $18,582 median debt.
Peninsula College placed #22 among the best values for welding technology/welder. Located in the town of Port Angeles, Peninsula College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,718, with out-of-state students paying around $5,270. Welding Technology/welder graduates carry a median of $12,730 in student loans. Soon after graduation, welding technology/welder degree recipients from Peninsula College generally make around $51,243. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Orange Coast College earned the #23 position for value in welding technology/welder this year. Located in the city of Costa Mesa, Orange Coast College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,392, compared with $11,640 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,978 to complete the welding technology/welder program here. Soon after graduation, welding technology/welder degree recipients from Orange Coast College generally make around $46,306. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Sierra College landed the #24 spot for welding technology/welder value this year. Sierra College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Rocklin. In-state tuition and fees average $1,446. Typical student debt for welding technology/welder graduates is $12,733. Soon after graduation, welding technology/welder degree recipients from Sierra College generally make around $29,214. Set against $12,733 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
American River College placed #25 among the best values for welding technology/welder. Located in the suburb of Sacramento, American River College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,288 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,616. Welding Technology/welder graduates carry a median of $14,105 in student loans. Early-career welding technology/welder graduates make about $76,077. Set against $14,105 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Welding Technology/Welder Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for welding technology/welder this year:
Narrow Welding Technology/Welder Schools by State
More Welding Technology/Welder Rankings
View All Welding Technology/Welder Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 121 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 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.
