2026 Best Value Welding Technology/Welder Schools in Illinois
[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 schools below stand out for delivering a strong welding technology/welder education at a price that pays off.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 44 schools to find the best return on investment for welding technology/welder students.
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2026 Best Value Welding Technology/Welder Schools in Illinois
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
Leading the list is Carl Sandburg College, our #1 best value for welding technology/welder in Illinois. Set in the town of Galesburg, Carl Sandburg College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,390 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,900. Students borrow a median of $8,604 to complete the welding technology/welder program here. Early-career welding technology/welder graduates make about $48,534. Set against $8,604 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at City Colleges Of Chicago Richard J Daley College earned it the #2 place for welding technology/welder. City Colleges Of Chicago Richard J Daley College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Chicago. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,590, while out-of-state students pay about $15,150. Typical student debt for welding technology/welder graduates is $7,500. Welding Technology/welder graduates of City Colleges Of Chicago Richard J Daley College earn a median of $33,326 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $7,500 median debt.
Moraine Valley Community College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value welding technology/welder schools. Set in the suburb of Palos Hills, Moraine Valley Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,822, with out-of-state students paying around $9,846. Welding Technology/welder graduates carry a median of $11,149 in student loans. Early-career welding technology/welder graduates make about $43,844. That is a strong return on a $11,149 median debt.
Lake Land College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in welding technology/welder, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the rural area of Mattoon, Lake Land College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,415, while out-of-state students pay about $14,301. Typical student debt for welding technology/welder graduates is $7,769. Welding Technology/welder graduates of Lake Land College earn a median of $27,808 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $7,769 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Illinois Valley Community College earned it the #5 place for welding technology/welder. Located in the town of Oglesby, Illinois Valley Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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.
Lewis And Clark Community College earned the #6 position for value in welding technology/welder this year. Located in the suburb of Godfrey, Lewis And Clark Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,340, while out-of-state students pay about $7,840. Welding Technology/welder graduates carry a median of $9,602 in student loans. 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.
Danville Area Community College came in at #7 for value in welding technology/welder this year. Located in the town of Danville, Danville Area Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,440, while out-of-state students pay about $7,440. Typical student debt for welding technology/welder graduates is $9,470. Welding Technology/welder graduates of Danville Area Community College earn a median of $36,123 early in their careers. Set against $9,470 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Kankakee Community College landed the #8 spot for welding technology/welder value this year. Located in the city of Kankakee, Kankakee Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,220, compared with $25,830 for out-of-state students. Welding Technology/welder graduates carry a median of $13,289 in student loans. 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.
Triton College placed #9 among the best values for welding technology/welder. Triton College is a large public school located in the suburb of River Grove. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,070, with out-of-state students paying around $15,330. Typical student debt for welding technology/welder graduates is $12,994. Soon after graduation, welding technology/welder degree recipients from Triton College generally make around $43,278. Set against $12,994 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Shawnee Community College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value welding technology/welder schools. Located in the rural area of Ullin, Shawnee Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,650, with out-of-state students paying around $7,500. Typical student debt for welding technology/welder graduates is $11,162. Soon after graduation, welding technology/welder degree recipients from Shawnee Community College generally make around $39,601. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lincoln Land Community College landed the #11 spot for welding technology/welder value this year. Lincoln Land Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Springfield. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,744, compared with $10,464 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for welding technology/welder graduates is $11,272. Early-career welding technology/welder graduates make about $33,298. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Highland Community College Freeport came in at #12 for value in welding technology/welder this year. 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. That is a strong return on a $13,783 median debt.
Prairie State College landed the #13 spot for welding technology/welder value this year. Prairie State College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Chicago Heights. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,176, compared with $11,064 for out-of-state students. Welding Technology/welder graduates carry a median of $15,663 in student loans. Soon after graduation, welding technology/welder degree recipients from Prairie State College generally make around $37,500. That is a strong return on a $15,663 median debt.
Richland Community College placed #14 among the best values for welding technology/welder. Set in the city of Decatur, Richland Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,680, while out-of-state students pay about $17,070. Welding Technology/welder graduates carry a median of $9,562 in student loans. Welding Technology/welder graduates of Richland Community College earn a median of $46,233 early in their careers. Set against $9,562 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Joliet Junior College landed the #15 spot for welding technology/welder value this year. Set in the suburb of Joliet, Joliet Junior College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,530, while out-of-state students pay about $13,800. Students borrow a median of $11,995 to complete the welding technology/welder program here. Soon after graduation, welding technology/welder degree recipients from Joliet Junior College generally make around $40,118. That is a strong return on a $11,995 median debt.
Elgin Community College placed #16 among the best values for welding technology/welder. Set in the city of Elgin, Elgin Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,252, with out-of-state students paying around $9,516. Students borrow a median of $7,727 to complete the welding technology/welder program here. Welding Technology/welder graduates of Elgin Community College earn a median of $43,975 early in their careers. Set against $7,727 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
City Colleges Of Chicago Kennedy King College landed the #17 spot for welding technology/welder value this year. Located in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Kennedy King College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,590 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,150 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,250 to complete the welding technology/welder program here. Welding Technology/welder graduates of City Colleges Of Chicago Kennedy King College earn a median of $48,264 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Harper College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value welding technology/welder schools. Harper College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Palatine. In-state tuition and fees average $3,894, while out-of-state students pay about $11,874. Welding Technology/welder graduates carry a median of $10,963 in student loans. Early-career welding technology/welder graduates make about $44,523. Set against $10,963 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Waubonsee Community College landed the #19 spot for welding technology/welder value this year. Located in the rural area of Sugar Grove, Waubonsee Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,504, with out-of-state students paying around $10,464. Typical student debt for welding technology/welder graduates is $9,939. Soon after graduation, welding technology/welder degree recipients from Waubonsee Community College generally make around $39,659. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Southeastern Illinois College ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value welding technology/welder schools. Set in the rural area of Harrisburg, Southeastern Illinois College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,560, compared with $6,780 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $33,763.
College Of Dupage earned the #21 position for value in welding technology/welder this year. College Of Dupage is a very large public school located in the suburb of Glen Ellyn. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,560, with out-of-state students paying around $12,750. Students borrow a median of $12,492 to complete the welding technology/welder program here. Early-career welding technology/welder graduates make about $43,025. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of Lake County came in at #22 for value in welding technology/welder this year. Located in the suburb of Grayslake, College Of Lake County is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,788, compared with $14,400 for out-of-state students. Welding Technology/welder graduates carry a median of $9,785 in student loans. Soon after graduation, welding technology/welder degree recipients from College Of Lake County generally make around $50,314. That is a strong return on a $9,785 median debt.
Spoon River College ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value welding technology/welder schools. Set in the rural area of Canton, Spoon River College is a small public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,090 in tuition and fees, compared with $13,500 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $38,386 ten years after entry.
Kishwaukee College earned the #24 position for value in welding technology/welder this year. Located in the rural area of Malta, Kishwaukee College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,560 in tuition and fees, compared with $13,680 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,328 to complete the welding technology/welder program here. Welding Technology/welder graduates of Kishwaukee College earn a median of $30,398 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,328 median debt.
John Wood Community College landed the #25 spot for welding technology/welder value this year. John Wood Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Quincy. In-state tuition and fees average $5,100, compared with $8,700 for out-of-state students. Welding Technology/welder graduates carry a median of $13,844 in student loans. Welding Technology/welder graduates of John Wood Community College earn a median of $45,748 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,844 median debt.
Rest of the Top 41 Best Value Welding Technology/Welder Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in welding technology/welder:
More Welding Technology/Welder Rankings
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 44 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 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.
