2027 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. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 40 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value welding technology/welder schools.
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2027 Best Value Welding Technology/Welder Schools in Illinois
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in welding technology/welder, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Welding Technology/Welder Schools
Our analysis ranked Joliet Junior College the best value for a degree in welding technology/welder in Illinois. Set in the suburb of Joliet, Joliet Junior College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,530 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $13,800. Typical student debt for welding technology/welder graduates is $11,995. Soon after graduation, welding technology/welder degree recipients from Joliet Junior College generally make around $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. Set in the town of Oglesby, Illinois Valley Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,200, compared with $16,385 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,099 to complete the welding technology/welder program here. Welding Technology/welder graduates of Illinois Valley Community College earn a median of $33,224 early in their careers. Set against $8,099 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lake Land College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in welding technology/welder, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the rural area of Mattoon, Lake Land College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,415, compared with $14,301 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for welding technology/welder graduates is $7,769. Soon after graduation, welding technology/welder degree recipients from Lake Land College generally make around $27,808. Set against $7,769 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lewis And Clark Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in welding technology/welder, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Godfrey, Lewis And Clark Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,340 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,840. Typical student debt for welding technology/welder graduates is $9,602. Soon after graduation, welding technology/welder degree recipients from Lewis And Clark Community College generally make around $37,195. That is a strong return on a $9,602 median debt.
A rank of #5 makes Moraine Valley Community College one of the best values for welding technology/welder. Moraine Valley Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Palos Hills. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Spoon River College placed #6 among the best values for welding technology/welder. Spoon River College is a small public school located in the rural area of Canton. Students from in state pay about $6,090 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $13,500. Median earnings reach $38,386 ten years out.
Richland Community College earned the #7 position 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, compared with $17,070 for out-of-state students. Welding Technology/welder graduates carry a median of $9,562 in student loans. Early-career welding technology/welder graduates make about $46,233. Set against $9,562 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Carl Sandburg College landed the #8 spot for welding technology/welder value this year. Located in the town of Galesburg, Carl Sandburg College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,390, with out-of-state students paying around $8,900. Students borrow a median of $8,604 to complete the welding technology/welder program here. Soon after graduation, welding technology/welder degree recipients from Carl Sandburg College generally make around $48,534. That is a strong return on a $8,604 median debt.
South Suburban College ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value welding technology/welder schools. Set in the suburb of South Holland, South Suburban College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,093, with out-of-state students paying around $12,683. Welding Technology/welder graduates carry a median of $7,904 in student loans. Welding Technology/welder graduates of South Suburban College earn a median of $42,425 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lincoln Land Community College earned the #10 position for value in welding technology/welder this year. Located in the rural area of Springfield, Lincoln Land Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,744, with out-of-state students paying around $10,464. Students borrow a median of $11,272 to complete the welding technology/welder program here. Soon after graduation, welding technology/welder degree recipients from Lincoln Land Community College generally make around $33,298. That is a strong return on a $11,272 median debt.
Triton College ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value welding technology/welder schools. Triton College is a large public school located in the suburb of River Grove. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,070, compared with $15,330 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for welding technology/welder graduates is $12,994. Welding Technology/welder graduates of Triton College earn a median of $43,278 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,994 median debt.
Kankakee Community College came in at #12 for value in welding technology/welder this year. Set in the city of Kankakee, Kankakee Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,220, compared with $25,830 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for welding technology/welder graduates is $13,289. Early-career welding technology/welder graduates make about $60,509. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Shawnee Community College came in at #13 for value in welding technology/welder this year. Shawnee Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Ullin. In-state tuition and fees average $4,650, with out-of-state students paying around $7,500. Welding Technology/welder graduates carry a median of $11,162 in student loans. Welding Technology/welder graduates of Shawnee Community College earn a median of $39,601 early in their careers. Set against $11,162 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rock Valley College placed #14 among the best values for welding technology/welder. Set in the city of Rockford, Rock Valley College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,334, with out-of-state students paying around $7,379. Typical student debt for welding technology/welder graduates is $9,236. Early-career welding technology/welder graduates make about $41,080. Set against $9,236 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Danville Area Community College placed #15 among the best values for welding technology/welder. Set in the town of Danville, Danville Area Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,440 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,440 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,470 to complete the welding technology/welder program here. Soon after graduation, welding technology/welder degree recipients from Danville Area Community College generally make around $36,123. Set against $9,470 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Highland Community College Freeport placed #16 among the best values for welding technology/welder. Set in the rural area of Freeport, Highland Community College Freeport is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,936, compared with $7,360 for out-of-state students. Welding Technology/welder graduates carry a median of $13,783 in student loans. Early-career welding technology/welder graduates make about $46,384. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Elgin Community College landed the #17 spot for welding technology/welder value this year. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $9,516. Welding Technology/welder graduates carry a median of $7,727 in student loans. Early-career welding technology/welder graduates make about $43,975. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Morton College placed #18 among the best values for welding technology/welder. Located in the suburb of Cicero, Morton College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,884, while out-of-state students pay about $11,028. Students borrow a median of $7,734 to complete the welding technology/welder program here. Welding Technology/welder graduates of Morton College earn a median of $36,121 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
John A Logan College came in at #19 for value in welding technology/welder this year. Located in the town of Carterville, John A Logan College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,630, while out-of-state students pay about $7,540. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Kaskaskia College earned the #20 position for value in welding technology/welder this year. Located in the rural area of Centralia, Kaskaskia College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,800, with out-of-state students paying around $12,570. Welding Technology/welder graduates carry a median of $7,875 in student loans. Soon after graduation, welding technology/welder degree recipients from Kaskaskia College generally make around $45,658. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Black Hawk College earned the #21 position for value in welding technology/welder this year. Located in the city of Moline, Black Hawk College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,920, compared with $8,100 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,340 to complete the welding technology/welder program here. Early-career welding technology/welder graduates make about $44,286. Set against $11,340 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mchenry County College came in at #22 for value in welding technology/welder this year. Mchenry County College is a large public school located in the rural area of Crystal Lake. In-state tuition and fees average $4,162, with out-of-state students paying around $14,399. Welding Technology/welder graduates carry a median of $7,440 in student loans. Early-career welding technology/welder graduates make about $24,177. Set against $7,440 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of Lake County earned the #23 position for value in welding technology/welder this year. Located in the suburb of Grayslake, College Of Lake County is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,788, with out-of-state students paying around $14,400. Welding Technology/welder graduates carry a median of $9,785 in student loans. Welding Technology/welder graduates of College Of Lake County earn a median of $50,314 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,785 median debt.
College Of Dupage ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value welding technology/welder schools. Located in the suburb of Glen Ellyn, College Of Dupage is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,560, compared with $12,750 for out-of-state students. 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.
John Wood Community College ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value welding technology/welder schools. John Wood Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Quincy. In-state tuition and fees average $5,100, with out-of-state students paying around $8,700. Students borrow a median of $13,844 to complete the welding technology/welder program here. Early-career welding technology/welder graduates make about $45,748. Set against $13,844 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rest of the Top 40 Best Value Welding Technology/Welder Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s welding technology/welder value ranking:
More Welding Technology/Welder Rankings
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 40 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 40 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.
