2027 Best Value Welding Technology/Welder Schools in Arizona

[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 12 schools to find the best return on investment for welding technology/welder students.
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2027 Best Value Welding Technology/Welder Schools in Arizona
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the welding technology/welder degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Welding Technology/Welder Schools
For return on investment in welding technology/welder, no school beat Pima Community College this year. Pima Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Tucson. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,442, compared with $7,758 for out-of-state students. Welding Technology/welder graduates carry a median of $10,655 in student loans. Welding Technology/welder graduates of Pima Community College earn a median of $41,132 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,655 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in welding technology/welder will find it at Central Arizona College, which ranked #2. Set in the rural area of Coolidge, Central Arizona College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,250 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $4,500. Typical student debt for welding technology/welder graduates is $11,635. Welding Technology/welder graduates of Central Arizona College earn a median of $48,826 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,635 median debt.
A rank of #3 makes Mohave Community College one of the best values for welding technology/welder. Located in the rural area of Kingman, Mohave Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,208, compared with $7,968 for out-of-state students. Welding Technology/welder graduates carry a median of $14,766 in student loans. Early-career welding technology/welder graduates make about $54,785. That is a strong return on a $14,766 median debt.
Cochise College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in welding technology/welder, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Sierra Vista, Cochise College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,280, compared with $6,120 for out-of-state students. Welding Technology/welder graduates carry a median of $12,013 in student loans. Soon after graduation, welding technology/welder degree recipients from Cochise College generally make around $40,712. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Yavapai College earned it the #5 place for welding technology/welder. Yavapai College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Prescott. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,948, compared with $9,486 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,087 to complete the welding technology/welder program here. Soon after graduation, welding technology/welder degree recipients from Yavapai College generally make around $52,087. Set against $14,087 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Eastern Arizona College came in at #6 for value in welding technology/welder this year. Set in the town of Thatcher, Eastern Arizona College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,352, compared with $9,552 for out-of-state students. Welding Technology/welder graduates carry a median of $6,781 in student loans. Early-career welding technology/welder graduates make about $40,304. That is a strong return on a $6,781 median debt.
Northland Pioneer College landed the #7 spot for welding technology/welder value this year. Northland Pioneer College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Holbrook. Students from in state pay about $2,232 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,320. Welding Technology/welder graduates carry a median of $8,680 in student loans. Early-career welding technology/welder graduates make about $44,117. That is a strong return on a $8,680 median debt.
Mesa Community College placed #8 among the best values for welding technology/welder. Located in the city of Mesa, Mesa Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,358 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,959. Welding Technology/welder graduates carry a median of $13,750 in student loans. Welding Technology/welder graduates of Mesa Community College earn a median of $54,730 early in their careers. Set against $13,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Gateway Community College Central City came in at #9 for value in welding technology/welder this year. Located in the city of Phoenix, Gateway Community College Central City is a small public university. Welding Technology/welder graduates carry a median of $15,037 in student loans. Early-career welding technology/welder graduates make about $45,781. Set against $15,037 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Arizona Automotive Institute ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value welding technology/welder schools. Set in the suburb of Glendale, Arizona Automotive Institute is a small private for-profit institution. Students borrow a median of $13,000 to complete the welding technology/welder program here. Early-career welding technology/welder graduates make about $30,105. Set against $13,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Refrigeration School Inc landed the #11 spot for welding technology/welder value this year. Set in the city of Phoenix, Refrigeration School Inc is a mid-sized private for-profit institution. Typical student debt for welding technology/welder graduates is $7,917. Early-career welding technology/welder graduates make about $35,808. That is a strong return on a $7,917 median debt.
Universal Technical Institute Of Arizona Inc placed #12 among the best values for welding technology/welder. Universal Technical Institute Of Arizona Inc is a mid-sized private for-profit school located in the suburb of Avondale. Students borrow a median of $10,593 to complete the welding technology/welder program here. Early-career welding technology/welder graduates make about $37,568. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
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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 · 12 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 12 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.