2027 Best Value Welding Technology/Welder Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[Welding Technology/Welder](/majors/production-product-development/precision-metal-working/welding-technology-welder/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 101 schools to find the best return on investment for welding technology/welder students.
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2027 Best Value Welding Technology/Welder Schools in the Great Lakes 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
Joliet Junior College earned the #1 spot for value among welding technology/welder schools in the Great Lakes Region. Joliet Junior College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Joliet. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,530, with out-of-state students paying around $13,800. Typical student debt for welding technology/welder graduates is $11,995. Early-career welding technology/welder graduates make about $40,118. Set against $11,995 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Illinois Valley Community College earned it the #2 place for welding technology/welder. 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. Typical student debt for welding technology/welder graduates is $8,099. Soon after graduation, welding technology/welder degree recipients from Illinois Valley Community College generally make around $33,224. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #3 makes Macomb Community College one of the best values for welding technology/welder. Macomb Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Warren. In-state tuition and fees average $3,660, with out-of-state students paying around $8,370. Welding Technology/welder graduates carry a median of $9,862 in student loans. Early-career welding technology/welder graduates make about $38,758. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #4 makes Lake Land College one of the best values for welding technology/welder. Located in the rural area of Mattoon, Lake Land College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,415, while out-of-state students pay about $14,301. Students borrow a median of $7,769 to complete the welding technology/welder program here. Early-career welding technology/welder graduates make about $27,808. 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 Lewis And Clark Community College, which ranked #5. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $7,840. Welding Technology/welder graduates carry a median of $9,602 in student loans. Early-career welding technology/welder graduates make about $37,195. Set against $9,602 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Washtenaw Community College placed #6 among the best values for welding technology/welder. 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. Typical student debt for welding technology/welder graduates is $17,616. Welding Technology/welder graduates of Washtenaw Community College earn a median of $45,332 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Moraine Valley Community College ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value welding technology/welder schools. Located in the suburb of Palos Hills, Moraine Valley Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,822, compared with $9,846 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for welding technology/welder graduates is $11,149. Early-career welding technology/welder graduates make about $43,844. Set against $11,149 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lorain County Community College ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value welding technology/welder schools. Located in the suburb of Elyria, Lorain County Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,265, while out-of-state students pay about $8,860. Typical student debt for welding technology/welder graduates is $17,611. Early-career welding technology/welder graduates make about $40,095. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lincoln Land Community College ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value welding technology/welder schools. Located in the rural area of Springfield, Lincoln Land Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,744, while out-of-state students pay about $10,464. Welding Technology/welder graduates carry a median of $11,272 in student loans. Early-career welding technology/welder graduates make about $33,298. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Richland Community College came in at #10 for value in welding technology/welder this year. Set in the city of Decatur, Richland Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,680, while out-of-state students pay about $17,070. Typical student debt for welding technology/welder graduates is $9,562. Soon after graduation, welding technology/welder degree recipients from Richland Community College generally make around $46,233. Set against $9,562 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Kankakee Community College came in at #11 for value in welding technology/welder this year. Located in the city of Kankakee, Kankakee Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,220 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $25,830. Students borrow a median of $13,289 to complete the welding technology/welder program here. Soon after graduation, welding technology/welder degree recipients from Kankakee Community College generally make around $60,509. That is a strong return on a $13,289 median debt.
Spoon River College came in at #12 for value in welding technology/welder this year. Set in the rural area of Canton, Spoon River College is a small public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,090, compared with $13,500 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $38,386.
Carl Sandburg College ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value welding technology/welder schools. Located in the town of Galesburg, Carl Sandburg College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,390 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,900. Welding Technology/welder graduates carry a median of $8,604 in student loans. Early-career welding technology/welder graduates make about $48,534. Set against $8,604 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Delta College came in at #14 for value in welding technology/welder this year. Set in the rural area of University Center, Delta College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,820, compared with $7,880 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,075 to complete the welding technology/welder program here. 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.
Triton College came in at #15 for value in welding technology/welder this year. Set in the suburb of River Grove, Triton College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,070, while out-of-state students pay about $15,330. Students borrow a median of $12,994 to complete the welding technology/welder program here. Welding Technology/welder graduates of Triton College earn a median of $43,278 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Kalamazoo Valley Community College came in at #16 for value in welding technology/welder this year. Set in the suburb of Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,144, compared with $9,094 for out-of-state students. Welding Technology/welder graduates carry a median of $15,525 in student loans. Welding Technology/welder graduates of Kalamazoo Valley Community College earn a median of $44,198 early in their careers. Set against $15,525 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
South Suburban College earned the #17 position for value in welding technology/welder this year. South Suburban College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of South Holland. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,093, compared with $12,683 for out-of-state students. Welding Technology/welder graduates carry a median of $7,904 in student loans. Soon after graduation, welding technology/welder degree recipients from South Suburban College generally make around $42,425. That is a strong return on a $7,904 median debt.
Rock Valley College earned the #18 position for value in welding technology/welder this year. Rock Valley College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Rockford. Students from in state pay about $4,334 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,379. Students borrow a median of $9,236 to complete the welding technology/welder program here. Soon after graduation, welding technology/welder degree recipients from Rock Valley College generally make around $41,080. Set against $9,236 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cincinnati State Technical And Community College ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value welding technology/welder schools. Located in the city of Cincinnati, Cincinnati State Technical And Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,517, with out-of-state students paying around $10,044. Students borrow a median of $17,730 to complete the welding technology/welder program here. Soon after graduation, welding technology/welder degree recipients from Cincinnati State Technical And Community College generally make around $47,975. Set against $17,730 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Shawnee Community College ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value welding technology/welder schools. Shawnee Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Ullin. In-state tuition and fees average $4,650, while out-of-state students pay about $7,500. Welding Technology/welder graduates carry a median of $11,162 in student loans. Soon after graduation, welding technology/welder degree recipients from Shawnee Community College generally make around $39,601. Set against $11,162 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Highland Community College Freeport placed #21 among the best values for welding technology/welder. Located in the rural area of Freeport, Highland Community College Freeport is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,936 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,360 for out-of-state students. Welding Technology/welder graduates carry a median of $13,783 in student loans. Soon after graduation, welding technology/welder degree recipients from Highland Community College Freeport generally make around $46,384. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Ivy Tech Community College landed the #22 spot for welding technology/welder value this year. Ivy Tech Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Indianapolis. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,154, while out-of-state students pay about $9,935. Welding Technology/welder graduates carry a median of $6,599 in student loans. Welding Technology/welder graduates of Ivy Tech Community College earn a median of $49,030 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Danville Area Community College landed the #23 spot for welding technology/welder value this year. Set in the town of Danville, Danville Area Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,440, while out-of-state students pay about $7,440. Students borrow a median of $9,470 to complete the welding technology/welder program here. Welding Technology/welder graduates of Danville Area Community College earn a median of $36,123 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Elgin Community College earned the #24 position for value in welding technology/welder this year. Set in the city of Elgin, Elgin Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,252, while out-of-state students pay about $9,516. Students borrow a median of $7,727 to complete the welding technology/welder program here. Soon after graduation, welding technology/welder degree recipients from Elgin Community College generally make around $43,975. Set against $7,727 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
John A Logan College landed the #25 spot for welding technology/welder value this year. John A Logan College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Carterville. In-state tuition and fees average $4,630, compared with $7,540 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for welding technology/welder graduates is $10,479. Welding Technology/welder graduates of John A Logan College earn a median of $40,806 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,479 median debt.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Welding Technology/Welder Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for welding technology/welder this year:
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 101 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 101 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.
