by our College Data Analytics Team
[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 110 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value welding technology/welder schools.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the welding technology/welder degrees they offer, see the list below.
For return on investment in welding technology/welder, no school beat Del Mar College this year. Set in the city of Corpus Christi, Del Mar College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,500, compared with $6,050 for out-of-state students. Welding Technology/welder graduates carry a median of $7,476 in student loans. Early-career welding technology/welder graduates make about $40,661. That is a strong return on a $7,476 median debt.
South Texas College came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value welding technology/welder schools. Located in the city of McAllen, South Texas College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,920, while out-of-state students pay about $7,620. Welding Technology/welder graduates carry a median of $6,868 in student loans. Soon after graduation, welding technology/welder degree recipients from South Texas College generally make around $28,716. That is a strong return on a $6,868 median debt.
College Of The Mainland came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value welding technology/welder schools. Located in the city of Texas City, College Of The Mainland is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $2,310 in tuition and fees, compared with $4,140 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,928 to complete the welding technology/welder program here. Early-career welding technology/welder graduates make about $40,788. That is a strong return on a $10,928 median debt.
El Paso Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in welding technology/welder, landing the #4 spot this year. El Paso Community College is a very large public school located in the city of El Paso. In-state tuition and fees average $3,274, while out-of-state students pay about $5,314. Students borrow a median of $8,542 to complete the welding technology/welder program here. Welding Technology/welder graduates of El Paso Community College earn a median of $29,086 early in their careers. Set against $8,542 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lamar State College Orange is a great value for students pursuing a degree in welding technology/welder, landing the #5 spot this year. Lamar State College Orange is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Orange. Students from in state pay about $2,832 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $13,824. Students borrow a median of $18,506 to complete the welding technology/welder program here. Soon after graduation, welding technology/welder degree recipients from Lamar State College Orange generally make around $45,299. That is a strong return on a $18,506 median debt.
Pima Community College came in at #6 for value in welding technology/welder this year. Set in the city of Tucson, Pima Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,442, with out-of-state students paying around $7,758. Students borrow a median of $10,655 to complete the welding technology/welder program here. Soon after graduation, welding technology/welder degree recipients from Pima Community College generally make around $41,132. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Victoria College placed #7 among the best values for welding technology/welder. Located in the city of Victoria, Victoria College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,976, compared with $5,328 for out-of-state students. Welding Technology/welder graduates carry a median of $10,910 in student loans. Welding Technology/welder graduates of Victoria College earn a median of $50,201 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,910 median debt.
Lamar State College Port Arthur landed the #8 spot for welding technology/welder value this year. Lamar State College Port Arthur is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Port Arthur. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,770, with out-of-state students paying around $8,070. Typical student debt for welding technology/welder graduates is $33,385. Welding Technology/welder graduates of Lamar State College Port Arthur earn a median of $78,580 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $33,385 median debt.
Eastern New Mexico University Roswell Campus placed #9 among the best values for welding technology/welder. Located in the town of Roswell, Eastern New Mexico University Roswell Campus is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,256, with out-of-state students paying around $5,616. Students borrow a median of $11,110 to complete the welding technology/welder program here. Soon after graduation, welding technology/welder degree recipients from Eastern New Mexico University Roswell Campus generally make around $21,129. Set against $11,110 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Midland College came in at #10 for value in welding technology/welder this year. Set in the city of Midland, Midland College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,180, compared with $6,180 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for welding technology/welder graduates is $9,000. Early-career welding technology/welder graduates make about $43,454. Set against $9,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Wharton County Junior College ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value welding technology/welder schools. Located in the town of Wharton, Wharton County Junior College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,192, while out-of-state students pay about $5,904. Students borrow a median of $10,916 to complete the welding technology/welder program here. Soon after graduation, welding technology/welder degree recipients from Wharton County Junior College generally make around $28,408. Set against $10,916 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
St Philips College landed the #12 spot for welding technology/welder value this year. St Philips College is a very large public school located in the city of San Antonio. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,412, compared with $9,952 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for welding technology/welder graduates is $15,653. Soon after graduation, welding technology/welder degree recipients from St Philips College generally make around $45,185. That is a strong return on a $15,653 median debt.
El Centro College earned the #13 position for value in welding technology/welder this year. Located in the city of Dallas, El Centro College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,730, compared with $6,900 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for welding technology/welder graduates is $14,557. Welding Technology/welder graduates of El Centro College earn a median of $35,102 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,557 median debt.
Clovis Community College ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value welding technology/welder schools. Set in the town of Clovis, Clovis Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,592, with out-of-state students paying around $3,344. Typical student debt for welding technology/welder graduates is $11,082. Soon after graduation, welding technology/welder degree recipients from Clovis Community College generally make around $44,390. Set against $11,082 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Central New Mexico Community College earned the #15 position for value in welding technology/welder this year. Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Albuquerque. Students from in state pay about $2,060 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,684 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $6,440 to complete the welding technology/welder program here. Welding Technology/welder graduates of Central New Mexico Community College earn a median of $42,162 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Tarrant County College District came in at #16 for value in welding technology/welder this year. Set in the city of Fort Worth, Tarrant County College District is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,863, while out-of-state students pay about $8,370. Students borrow a median of $15,148 to complete the welding technology/welder program here. Soon after graduation, welding technology/welder degree recipients from Tarrant County College District generally make around $45,158. Set against $15,148 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Central Arizona College came in at #17 for value in welding technology/welder this year. Central Arizona College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Coolidge. In-state tuition and fees average $2,250, while out-of-state students pay about $4,500. Welding Technology/welder graduates carry a median of $11,635 in student loans. Welding Technology/welder graduates of Central Arizona College earn a median of $48,826 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Brazosport College came in at #18 for value in welding technology/welder this year. Brazosport College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Lake Jackson. In-state tuition and fees average $2,388, with out-of-state students paying around $4,711. Welding Technology/welder graduates carry a median of $6,625 in student loans. Early-career welding technology/welder graduates make about $32,746. Set against $6,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Coastal Bend College ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value welding technology/welder schools. Coastal Bend College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Beeville. In-state tuition and fees average $2,916, with out-of-state students paying around $5,226. Students borrow a median of $14,609 to complete the welding technology/welder program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $35,086 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $14,609 median debt.
Western Texas College placed #20 among the best values for welding technology/welder. Set in the town of Snyder, Western Texas College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,300, while out-of-state students pay about $6,150. Students borrow a median of $8,691 to complete the welding technology/welder program here. Soon after graduation, welding technology/welder degree recipients from Western Texas College generally make around $68,077. Set against $8,691 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Trinity Valley Community College landed the #21 spot for welding technology/welder value this year. Trinity Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Athens. In-state tuition and fees average $2,640, while out-of-state students pay about $5,970. Typical student debt for welding technology/welder graduates is $12,323. Early-career welding technology/welder graduates make about $35,123. Set against $12,323 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Kilgore College ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value welding technology/welder schools. Set in the town of Kilgore, Kilgore College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,160, while out-of-state students pay about $5,256. Students borrow a median of $16,734 to complete the welding technology/welder program here. Soon after graduation, welding technology/welder degree recipients from Kilgore College generally make around $44,322. Set against $16,734 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Panola College landed the #23 spot for welding technology/welder value this year. Located in the town of Carthage, Panola College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,352, with out-of-state students paying around $5,232. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $36,072.
San Juan College ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value welding technology/welder schools. San Juan College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Farmington. Students from in state pay about $1,910 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $5,393. Students borrow a median of $16,150 to complete the welding technology/welder program here. Early-career welding technology/welder graduates make about $41,697. That is a strong return on a $16,150 median debt.
University Of New Mexico Gallup Campus ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value welding technology/welder schools. Located in the town of Gallup, University Of New Mexico Gallup Campus is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $2,906 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,682. Students borrow a median of $10,986 to complete the welding technology/welder program here. Soon after graduation, welding technology/welder degree recipients from University Of New Mexico Gallup Campus generally make around $35,132. Set against $10,986 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
These schools also delivered strong value for welding technology/welder this year:
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 · 110 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 110 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.