2026 Best Value Welding Technology/Welder Schools in the Middle Atlantic 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.
College Factual analyzed 65 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value welding technology/welder schools.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Welding Technology/Welder Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in welding technology/welder, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Welding Technology/Welder Schools
Leading the list is Westmoreland County Community College, our #1 best value for welding technology/welder in the Middle Atlantic Region. Westmoreland County Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Youngwood. Students from in state pay about $6,306 in tuition and fees, compared with $14,728 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for welding technology/welder graduates is $11,000. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $37,439. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #2 makes Thaddeus Stevens College Of Technology one of the best values for welding technology/welder. Located in the city of Lancaster, Thaddeus Stevens College Of Technology is a small public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,050. Typical student debt for welding technology/welder graduates is $12,000. Soon after graduation, welding technology/welder degree recipients from Thaddeus Stevens College Of Technology generally make around $52,298. That is a strong return on a $12,000 median debt. Thaddeus Stevens College Of Technology admits about 71% of applicants.
Niagara County Community 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 Sanborn, Niagara County Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,894, compared with $12,030 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,970 to complete the welding technology/welder program here. Welding Technology/welder graduates of Niagara County Community College earn a median of $36,258 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,970 median debt.
Community College Of Allegheny County is a great value for students pursuing a degree in welding technology/welder, landing the #4 spot this year. Community College Of Allegheny County is a large public school located in the city of Pittsburgh. In-state tuition and fees average $4,956, with out-of-state students paying around $12,583. Typical student debt for welding technology/welder graduates is $15,263. Early-career welding technology/welder graduates make about $47,420. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mohawk Valley Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in welding technology/welder, landing the #5 spot this year. Mohawk Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Utica. Students from in state pay about $6,218 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,851 for out-of-state students. Welding Technology/welder graduates carry a median of $11,900 in student loans. Welding Technology/welder graduates of Mohawk Valley Community College earn a median of $38,373 early in their careers. Set against $11,900 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Luzerne County Community College landed the #6 spot for welding technology/welder value this year. Located in the suburb of Nanticoke, Luzerne County Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,600, compared with $16,260 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,614 to complete the welding technology/welder program here. Soon after graduation, welding technology/welder degree recipients from Luzerne County Community College generally make around $44,353. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg placed #7 among the best values for welding technology/welder. Set in the city of Harrisburg, Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,975 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,472. Students borrow a median of $20,867 to complete the welding technology/welder program here. Welding Technology/welder graduates of Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg earn a median of $41,382 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,867 median debt.
Suny College Of Technology At Alfred placed #8 among the best values for welding technology/welder. Set in the rural area of Alfred, Suny College Of Technology At Alfred is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,892, with out-of-state students paying around $16,837. Welding Technology/welder graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. Welding Technology/welder graduates of Suny College Of Technology At Alfred earn a median of $42,739 early in their careers. Set against $12,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Suny College Of Technology At Alfred admits about 76% of applicants.
New Castle School Of Trades placed #9 among the best values for welding technology/welder. Located in the town of New Castle, New Castle School Of Trades is a small private for-profit university. Students borrow a median of $9,655 to complete the welding technology/welder program here. Soon after graduation, welding technology/welder degree recipients from New Castle School Of Trades generally make around $36,663. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
York County School Of Technology Adult And Continuing Education earned the #10 position for value in welding technology/welder this year. York County School Of Technology Adult And Continuing Education is a small public school located in the suburb of York. Welding Technology/welder graduates carry a median of $14,894 in student loans. Soon after graduation, welding technology/welder degree recipients from York County School Of Technology Adult And Continuing Education generally make around $47,870. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Laurel Technical Institute ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value welding technology/welder schools. Set in the rural area of Hermitage, Laurel Technical Institute is a small private for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,431. Welding Technology/welder graduates carry a median of $14,143 in student loans. Early-career welding technology/welder graduates make about $39,287. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Erie 1 Boces ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value welding technology/welder schools. Erie 1 Boces is a small public school located in the suburb of West Seneca. Welding Technology/welder graduates carry a median of $11,600 in student loans. Welding Technology/welder graduates of Erie 1 Boces earn a median of $30,190 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rosedale Technical Institute ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value welding technology/welder schools. Located in the suburb of Pittsburgh, Rosedale Technical Institute is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $17,402 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for welding technology/welder graduates is $11,113. Early-career welding technology/welder graduates make about $32,034. Set against $11,113 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Rosedale Technical Institute admits about 75% of applicants.
Laurel Business Institute landed the #14 spot for welding technology/welder value this year. Laurel Business Institute is a small private for-profit school located in the town of Uniontown. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,713. Welding Technology/welder graduates carry a median of $13,918 in student loans. Soon after graduation, welding technology/welder degree recipients from Laurel Business Institute generally make around $34,180. That is a strong return on a $13,918 median debt. Laurel Business Institute admits about 77% of applicants.
Suny College Of Technology At Delhi came in at #15 for value in welding technology/welder this year. Set in the rural area of Delhi, Suny College Of Technology At Delhi is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,772, with out-of-state students paying around $12,762. Typical student debt for welding technology/welder graduates is $12,000. Early-career welding technology/welder graduates make about $39,059. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
North American Trade Schools came in at #16 for value in welding technology/welder this year. Set in the suburb of Baltimore, North American Trade Schools is a small private for-profit institution. Welding Technology/welder graduates carry a median of $8,549 in student loans. Early-career welding technology/welder graduates make about $35,239. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Greater Altoona Career And Technology Center came in at #17 for value in welding technology/welder this year. Set in the city of Altoona, Greater Altoona Career And Technology Center is a small public institution. Students borrow a median of $17,867 to complete the welding technology/welder program here. Early-career welding technology/welder graduates make about $47,891. That is a strong return on a $17,867 median debt.
Johnson College landed the #18 spot for welding technology/welder value this year. Set in the city of Scranton, Johnson College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $21,225 in tuition and fees. Welding Technology/welder graduates carry a median of $16,083 in student loans. Welding Technology/welder graduates of Johnson College earn a median of $37,243 early in their careers. Set against $16,083 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Johnson College admits about 98% of applicants.
Lancaster County Career And Technology Center landed the #19 spot for welding technology/welder value this year. Lancaster County Career And Technology Center is a small public school located in the suburb of Willow Street. Typical student debt for welding technology/welder graduates is $9,500. Soon after graduation, welding technology/welder degree recipients from Lancaster County Career And Technology Center generally make around $46,331. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Onondaga Cortland Madison Boces earned the #20 position for value in welding technology/welder this year. Located in the suburb of Liverpool, Onondaga Cortland Madison Boces is a small public university. Typical student debt for welding technology/welder graduates is $8,326. Early-career welding technology/welder graduates make about $39,730. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Commonwealth Technical Institute came in at #21 for value in welding technology/welder this year. Commonwealth Technical Institute is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Johnstown. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,714. Welding Technology/welder graduates of Commonwealth Technical Institute earn a median of $20,049 early in their careers.
Greater Johnstown Career And Technology Center ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value welding technology/welder schools. Located in the rural area of Johnstown, Greater Johnstown Career And Technology Center is a small public university. Students borrow a median of $17,690 to complete the welding technology/welder program here. Soon after graduation, welding technology/welder degree recipients from Greater Johnstown Career And Technology Center generally make around $27,897. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Apex Technical School landed the #23 spot for welding technology/welder value this year. Apex Technical School is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Long Island City. Typical student debt for welding technology/welder graduates is $9,500. Early-career welding technology/welder graduates make about $30,807. That is a strong return on a $9,500 median debt.
Berks Career And Technology Center landed the #24 spot for welding technology/welder value this year. Located in the suburb of Leesport, Berks Career And Technology Center is a small public university.
All State Career School Pittsburgh came in at #25 for value in welding technology/welder this year. All State Career School Pittsburgh is a small private for-profit school located in the suburb of West Mifflin. Typical student debt for welding technology/welder graduates is $12,999. Soon after graduation, welding technology/welder degree recipients from All State Career School Pittsburgh generally make around $28,893. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
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:
Narrow Welding Technology/Welder Schools by State
More Welding Technology/Welder Rankings
View All Welding Technology/Welder Rankings >
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 · 65 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 8 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.
