2027 Best Value Welding Technology/Welder Schools in Kentucky
[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 best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 16 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 Kentucky
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 Southcentral Kentucky Community And Technical College the best value for a degree in welding technology/welder in Kentucky. Located in the city of Bowling Green, Southcentral Kentucky Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,728 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,432. Welding Technology/welder graduates carry a median of $9,413 in student loans. Early-career welding technology/welder graduates make about $49,879. That is a strong return on a $9,413 median debt.
Hazard Community And Technical College came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value welding technology/welder schools. Set in the town of Hazard, Hazard Community And Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,728, compared with $6,432 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for welding technology/welder graduates is $12,212. Welding Technology/welder graduates of Hazard Community And Technical College earn a median of $32,626 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,212 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in welding technology/welder will find it at Southeast Kentucky Community And Technical College, which ranked #3. Southeast Kentucky Community And Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Cumberland. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,728, compared with $6,432 for out-of-state students. Welding Technology/welder graduates carry a median of $9,687 in student loans. Early-career welding technology/welder graduates make about $30,566. Set against $9,687 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #4 makes Somerset Community College one of the best values for welding technology/welder. Somerset Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Somerset. Students from in state pay about $4,728 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,432. Typical student debt for welding technology/welder graduates is $8,439. Soon after graduation, welding technology/welder degree recipients from Somerset Community College generally make around $41,415. That is a strong return on a $8,439 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in welding technology/welder will find it at Henderson Community College, which ranked #5. Located in the rural area of Henderson, Henderson Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,728, while out-of-state students pay about $6,432. Welding Technology/welder graduates carry a median of $13,528 in student loans. Welding Technology/welder graduates of Henderson Community College earn a median of $40,259 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,528 median debt.
Big Sandy Community And Technical College ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value welding technology/welder schools. Set in the town of Prestonsburg, Big Sandy Community And Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,728, while out-of-state students pay about $6,432. Welding Technology/welder graduates carry a median of $11,588 in student loans. Early-career welding technology/welder graduates make about $33,956. Set against $11,588 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Elizabethtown Community And Technical College placed #7 among the best values for welding technology/welder. Located in the city of Elizabethtown, Elizabethtown Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,728 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,432. Students borrow a median of $7,166 to complete the welding technology/welder program here. Soon after graduation, welding technology/welder degree recipients from Elizabethtown Community And Technical College generally make around $50,941. Set against $7,166 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Maysville Community And Technical College placed #8 among the best values for welding technology/welder. Maysville Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Maysville. Students from in state pay about $4,728 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,432. Students borrow a median of $9,820 to complete the welding technology/welder program here. Welding Technology/welder graduates of Maysville Community And Technical College earn a median of $36,394 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
West Kentucky Community And Technical College landed the #9 spot for welding technology/welder value this year. Set in the city of Paducah, West Kentucky Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,728, while out-of-state students pay about $6,432. Typical student debt for welding technology/welder graduates is $8,250. Soon after graduation, welding technology/welder degree recipients from West Kentucky Community And Technical College generally make around $35,603. Set against $8,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Ashland Community And Technical College placed #10 among the best values for welding technology/welder. Set in the city of Ashland, Ashland Community And Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,728, compared with $6,432 for out-of-state students. Welding Technology/welder graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Early-career welding technology/welder graduates make about $36,796. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Madisonville Community College placed #11 among the best values for welding technology/welder. Madisonville Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Madisonville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,728, while out-of-state students pay about $6,432. Students borrow a median of $10,985 to complete the welding technology/welder program here. Early-career welding technology/welder graduates make about $41,084. That is a strong return on a $10,985 median debt.
Gateway Community And Technical College placed #12 among the best values for welding technology/welder. Located in the suburb of Florence, Gateway Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,728, compared with $6,432 for out-of-state students. Welding Technology/welder graduates carry a median of $9,041 in student loans. Soon after graduation, welding technology/welder degree recipients from Gateway Community And Technical College generally make around $42,233. Set against $9,041 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Owensboro Community And Technical College placed #13 among the best values for welding technology/welder. Set in the rural area of Owensboro, Owensboro Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,728 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,432. Welding Technology/welder graduates carry a median of $7,475 in student loans. Welding Technology/welder graduates of Owensboro Community And Technical College earn a median of $45,366 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $7,475 median debt.
Hopkinsville Community College landed the #14 spot for welding technology/welder value this year. Hopkinsville Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Hopkinsville. In-state tuition and fees average $4,728, compared with $6,432 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for welding technology/welder graduates is $13,269. Welding Technology/welder graduates of Hopkinsville Community College earn a median of $43,678 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Bluegrass Community And Technical College placed #15 among the best values for welding technology/welder. Located in the city of Lexington, Bluegrass Community And Technical College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,808, compared with $6,512 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for welding technology/welder graduates is $10,684. Soon after graduation, welding technology/welder degree recipients from Bluegrass Community And Technical College generally make around $46,133. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Jefferson Community And Technical College came in at #16 for value in welding technology/welder this year. Located in the city of Louisville, Jefferson Community And Technical College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,808, while out-of-state students pay about $6,512. Typical student debt for welding technology/welder graduates is $6,794. Welding Technology/welder graduates of Jefferson Community And Technical College earn a median of $44,346 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $6,794 median debt.
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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 · 16 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 16 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.
