[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 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 269 schools to find the best return on investment for welding technology/welder students.
For return on investment in welding technology/welder, no school beat West Georgia Technical College this year. Set in the rural area of Waco, West Georgia Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,410, while out-of-state students pay about $5,978. Students borrow a median of $8,000 to complete the welding technology/welder program here. Welding Technology/welder graduates of West Georgia Technical College earn a median of $39,922 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,000 median debt.
Johnston Community College came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value welding technology/welder schools. Set in the town of Smithfield, Johnston Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,756, while out-of-state students pay about $8,900. Students borrow a median of $9,490 to complete the welding technology/welder program here. Soon after graduation, welding technology/welder degree recipients from Johnston Community College generally make around $34,171. Set against $9,490 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #3 makes South Georgia Technical College one of the best values for welding technology/welder. Set in the town of Americus, South Georgia Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,992, with out-of-state students paying around $7,202. Typical student debt for welding technology/welder graduates is $10,423. Early-career welding technology/welder graduates make about $40,497. That is a strong return on a $10,423 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in welding technology/welder will find it at Coastal Pines Technical College, which ranked #4. Coastal Pines Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Waycross. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,268, while out-of-state students pay about $5,836. Students borrow a median of $5,812 to complete the welding technology/welder program here. Soon after graduation, welding technology/welder degree recipients from Coastal Pines Technical College generally make around $43,040. That is a strong return on a $5,812 median debt.
George C Wallace State Community College Dothan is a great value for students pursuing a degree in welding technology/welder, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Dothan, George C Wallace State Community College Dothan is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,980, with out-of-state students paying around $8,850. Welding Technology/welder graduates carry a median of $9,942 in student loans. Soon after graduation, welding technology/welder degree recipients from George C Wallace State Community College Dothan generally make around $36,834. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Spartanburg Community College earned the #6 position for value in welding technology/welder this year. Located in the suburb of Spartanburg, Spartanburg Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,071, with out-of-state students paying around $10,135. Students borrow a median of $10,148 to complete the welding technology/welder program here. Soon after graduation, welding technology/welder degree recipients from Spartanburg Community College generally make around $38,147. Set against $10,148 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Southern Regional Technical College landed the #7 spot for welding technology/welder value this year. Southern Regional Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Thomasville. Students from in state pay about $3,007 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $5,575. Students borrow a median of $9,086 to complete the welding technology/welder program here. Early-career welding technology/welder graduates make about $44,007. Set against $9,086 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cleveland Community College ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value welding technology/welder schools. Cleveland Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Shelby. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,602, with out-of-state students paying around $8,746. Students borrow a median of $7,131 to complete the welding technology/welder program here. Welding Technology/welder graduates of Cleveland Community College earn a median of $39,891 early in their careers. Set against $7,131 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Wilkes Community College placed #9 among the best values for welding technology/welder. Set in the town of Wilkesboro, Wilkes Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,572, compared with $8,716 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,125 to complete the welding technology/welder program here. Early-career welding technology/welder graduates make about $36,341. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Southcentral Kentucky Community And Technical College placed #10 among the best values for welding technology/welder. Southcentral Kentucky Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Bowling Green. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,728, compared with $6,432 for out-of-state students. Welding Technology/welder graduates carry a median of $9,413 in student loans. Welding Technology/welder graduates of Southcentral Kentucky Community And Technical College earn a median of $49,879 early in their careers. Set against $9,413 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Chipola College placed #11 among the best values for welding technology/welder. Set in the town of Marianna, Chipola College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,120, with out-of-state students paying around $8,950. Typical student debt for welding technology/welder graduates is $9,097. Soon after graduation, welding technology/welder degree recipients from Chipola College generally make around $43,599. Set against $9,097 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Edgecombe Community College landed the #12 spot for welding technology/welder value this year. Edgecombe Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Tarboro. Students from in state pay about $2,640 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,784. Typical student debt for welding technology/welder graduates is $22,153. Soon after graduation, welding technology/welder degree recipients from Edgecombe Community College generally make around $49,528. Set against $22,153 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Central Piedmont Community College came in at #13 for value in welding technology/welder this year. Set in the city of Charlotte, Central Piedmont Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,792 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,936 for out-of-state students. Welding Technology/welder graduates carry a median of $11,861 in student loans. Early-career welding technology/welder graduates make about $40,149. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Wiregrass Georgia Technical College came in at #14 for value in welding technology/welder this year. Set in the rural area of Valdosta, Wiregrass Georgia Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,480 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,048. Typical student debt for welding technology/welder graduates is $10,864. Early-career welding technology/welder graduates make about $40,452. That is a strong return on a $10,864 median debt.
West Virginia University At Parkersburg earned the #15 position for value in welding technology/welder this year. Set in the rural area of Parkersburg, West Virginia University At Parkersburg is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,476, while out-of-state students pay about $9,424. Welding Technology/welder graduates carry a median of $15,595 in student loans. Early-career welding technology/welder graduates make about $45,400. That is a strong return on a $15,595 median debt.
Northeast Alabama Community College placed #16 among the best values for welding technology/welder. Located in the rural area of Rainsville, Northeast Alabama Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,040, with out-of-state students paying around $8,910. Typical student debt for welding technology/welder graduates is $7,459. Welding Technology/welder graduates of Northeast Alabama Community College earn a median of $35,119 early in their careers. Set against $7,459 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Florence Darlington Technical College ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value welding technology/welder schools. Located in the rural area of Florence, Florence Darlington Technical College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,636, with out-of-state students paying around $6,772. Typical student debt for welding technology/welder graduates is $7,230. Early-career welding technology/welder graduates make about $34,948. That is a strong return on a $7,230 median debt.
Rockingham Community College earned the #18 position for value in welding technology/welder this year. Set in the rural area of Wentworth, Rockingham Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,966, while out-of-state students pay about $6,574. Welding Technology/welder graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Early-career welding technology/welder graduates make about $50,048. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northwest Shoals Community College came in at #19 for value in welding technology/welder this year. Set in the city of Muscle Shoals, Northwest Shoals Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,131, while out-of-state students pay about $9,001. Welding Technology/welder graduates carry a median of $13,312 in student loans. Early-career welding technology/welder graduates make about $33,842. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Durham Technical Community College landed the #20 spot for welding technology/welder value this year. Located in the city of Durham, Durham Technical Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,240, compared with $7,531 for out-of-state students. Welding Technology/welder graduates carry a median of $20,408 in student loans. Welding Technology/welder graduates of Durham Technical Community College earn a median of $46,293 early in their careers. Set against $20,408 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Piedmont Community College earned the #21 position for value in welding technology/welder this year. Piedmont Community College is a small public school located in the rural area of Roxboro. Students from in state pay about $2,556 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,700. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete the welding technology/welder program here. Welding Technology/welder graduates of Piedmont Community College earn a median of $68,517 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,000 median debt.
Wayne Community College ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value welding technology/welder schools. Set in the city of Goldsboro, Wayne Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,566, with out-of-state students paying around $8,710. Welding Technology/welder graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Welding Technology/welder graduates of Wayne Community College earn a median of $33,116 early in their careers. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Hillsborough Community College came in at #23 for value in welding technology/welder this year. Set in the city of Tampa, Hillsborough Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,491, while out-of-state students pay about $9,088. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the welding technology/welder program here. Welding Technology/welder graduates of Hillsborough Community College earn a median of $24,327 early in their careers. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Eastern Shore Community College earned the #24 position for value in welding technology/welder this year. Located in the rural area of Melfa, Eastern Shore Community College is a small public university. Students from in state pay about $5,082 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,520. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $32,418.
Coahoma Community College landed the #25 spot for welding technology/welder value this year. Located in the rural area of Clarksdale, Coahoma Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,490. Students borrow a median of $11,745 to complete the welding technology/welder program here. Soon after graduation, welding technology/welder degree recipients from Coahoma Community College generally make around $29,600. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Welding Technology/Welder Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s welding technology/welder value ranking:
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 269 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 269 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).
[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.
