2027 Best Value Welding Technology/Welder Schools in Virginia
[Welding Technology/Welder](/majors/production-product-development/precision-metal-working/welding-technology-welder/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong welding technology/welder education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 18 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 Virginia
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in welding technology/welder, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Welding Technology/Welder Schools
Patrick Henry Community College earned the #1 spot for value among welding technology/welder schools in Virginia. Patrick Henry Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Martinsville. Students from in state pay about $5,002 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,440. Welding Technology/welder graduates carry a median of $11,235 in student loans. Welding Technology/welder graduates of Patrick Henry Community College earn a median of $37,030 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,235 median debt.
Eastern Shore Community College came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value welding technology/welder schools. Set in the rural area of Melfa, Eastern Shore Community College is a small public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,082, with out-of-state students paying around $11,520. Median earnings reach $32,418 ten years out.
Wytheville Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in welding technology/welder, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the town of Wytheville, Wytheville Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,007, compared with $11,445 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for welding technology/welder graduates is $9,542. Welding Technology/welder graduates of Wytheville Community College earn a median of $40,973 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Dabney S Lancaster Community College earned it the #4 place for welding technology/welder. Set in the rural area of Clifton Forge, Dabney S Lancaster Community College is a small public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,022, compared with $11,460 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $34,293.
A rank of #5 makes Virginia Western Community College one of the best values for welding technology/welder. Virginia Western Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Roanoke. Students from in state pay about $5,400 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,838. Welding Technology/welder graduates carry a median of $13,715 in student loans. Welding Technology/welder graduates of Virginia Western Community College earn a median of $22,788 early in their careers. Set against $13,715 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Southside Virginia Community College earned the #6 position for value in welding technology/welder this year. Southside Virginia Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Alberta. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,007, with out-of-state students paying around $11,445. Students borrow a median of $7,467 to complete the welding technology/welder program here. Soon after graduation, welding technology/welder degree recipients from Southside Virginia Community College generally make around $29,666. That is a strong return on a $7,467 median debt.
John Tyler Community College earned the #7 position for value in welding technology/welder this year. Located in the suburb of Chester, John Tyler Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,082, while out-of-state students pay about $11,520. Students borrow a median of $11,262 to complete the welding technology/welder program here. Soon after graduation, welding technology/welder degree recipients from John Tyler Community College generally make around $39,273. Set against $11,262 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Virginia Highlands Community College ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value welding technology/welder schools. Located in the suburb of Abingdon, Virginia Highlands Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,022, with out-of-state students paying around $11,460. Typical student debt for welding technology/welder graduates is $7,490. Soon after graduation, welding technology/welder degree recipients from Virginia Highlands Community College generally make around $21,472. Set against $7,490 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Southwest Virginia Community College landed the #9 spot for welding technology/welder value this year. Located in the rural area of Cedar Bluff, Southwest Virginia Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,075, compared with $11,513 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for welding technology/welder graduates is $5,500. Early-career welding technology/welder graduates make about $32,277. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.
New River Community College came in at #10 for value in welding technology/welder this year. Set in the town of Dublin, New River Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,979, while out-of-state students pay about $11,417. Typical student debt for welding technology/welder graduates is $13,132. Soon after graduation, welding technology/welder degree recipients from New River Community College generally make around $46,892. That is a strong return on a $13,132 median debt.
Danville Community College landed the #11 spot for welding technology/welder value this year. Danville Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Danville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,992, while out-of-state students pay about $11,430. Students borrow a median of $9,494 to complete the welding technology/welder program here. Soon after graduation, welding technology/welder degree recipients from Danville Community College generally make around $44,922. Set against $9,494 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Central Virginia Community College ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value welding technology/welder schools. Located in the city of Lynchburg, Central Virginia Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,157 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,595. Students borrow a median of $8,625 to complete the welding technology/welder program here. Soon after graduation, welding technology/welder degree recipients from Central Virginia Community College generally make around $37,281. Set against $8,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mountain Empire Community College ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value welding technology/welder schools. Mountain Empire Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Big Stone Gap. In-state tuition and fees average $5,007, with out-of-state students paying around $11,445. Typical student debt for welding technology/welder graduates is $9,036. Welding Technology/welder graduates of Mountain Empire Community College earn a median of $36,988 early in their careers. Set against $9,036 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northern Virginia Community College earned the #14 position for value in welding technology/welder this year. Located in the suburb of Annandale, Northern Virginia Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,891, while out-of-state students pay about $12,410. Typical student debt for welding technology/welder graduates is $14,413. Soon after graduation, welding technology/welder degree recipients from Northern Virginia Community College generally make around $40,126. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Tidewater Community College earned the #15 position for value in welding technology/welder this year. Located in the city of Norfolk, Tidewater Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,858, with out-of-state students paying around $12,296. Students borrow a median of $8,455 to complete the welding technology/welder program here. Welding Technology/welder graduates of Tidewater Community College earn a median of $23,785 early in their careers. Set against $8,455 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Advanced Technology Institute placed #16 among the best values for welding technology/welder. Located in the city of Virginia Beach, Advanced Technology Institute is a small private for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $14,568 in tuition and fees. Welding Technology/welder graduates carry a median of $12,674 in student loans. Welding Technology/welder graduates of Advanced Technology Institute earn a median of $43,656 early in their careers. Set against $12,674 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 54% of applicants are accepted.
Centura College Newport News landed the #17 spot for welding technology/welder value this year. Set in the city of Newport News, Centura College Newport News is a small private for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $16,637 in tuition and fees. Welding Technology/welder graduates carry a median of $15,118 in student loans. Soon after graduation, welding technology/welder degree recipients from Centura College Newport News generally make around $25,693. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Tidewater Tech Trades earned the #18 position for value in welding technology/welder this year. Located in the city of Norfolk, Tidewater Tech Trades is a small private for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,337. Students borrow a median of $9,500 to complete the welding technology/welder program here. Soon after graduation, welding technology/welder degree recipients from Tidewater Tech Trades generally make around $32,269. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 18 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 18 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.
