by our College Data Analytics Team
[Welding Technology/Welder](/majors/production-product-development/precision-metal-working/welding-technology-welder/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 30 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for welding technology/welder students.
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Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in welding technology/welder, balancing cost against outcomes.
For return on investment in welding technology/welder, no school beat Pontotoc Technology Center this year. Set in the rural area of Ada, Pontotoc Technology Center is a small public institution. Soon after graduation, welding technology/welder degree recipients from Pontotoc Technology Center generally make around $44,846.
A rank of #2 makes Western Technology Center one of the best values for welding technology/welder. Set in the rural area of Burns Flat, Western Technology Center is a small public institution. Welding Technology/welder graduates of Western Technology Center earn a median of $40,264 early in their careers.
A rank of #3 makes Meridian Technology Center one of the best values for welding technology/welder. Meridian Technology Center is a small public school located in the town of Stillwater. Soon after graduation, welding technology/welder degree recipients from Meridian Technology Center generally make around $61,765.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Gordon Cooper Technology Center earned it the #4 place for welding technology/welder. Located in the town of Shawnee, Gordon Cooper Technology Center is a small public university. Early-career welding technology/welder graduates make about $39,018.
Southern Oklahoma Technology Center is a great value for students pursuing a degree in welding technology/welder, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the rural area of Ardmore, Southern Oklahoma Technology Center is a small public institution. Median earnings reach $29,012 ten years out.
Francis Tuttle Technology Center ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value welding technology/welder schools. Francis Tuttle Technology Center is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Oklahoma City. Students borrow a median of $14,859 to complete the welding technology/welder program here. Soon after graduation, welding technology/welder degree recipients from Francis Tuttle Technology Center generally make around $26,570. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Indian Capital Technology Center Muskogee earned the #7 position for value in welding technology/welder this year. Set in the town of Muskogee, Indian Capital Technology Center Muskogee is a mid-sized public institution. Welding Technology/welder graduates carry a median of $9,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, welding technology/welder degree recipients from Indian Capital Technology Center Muskogee generally make around $23,518. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Caddo Kiowa Technology Center came in at #8 for value in welding technology/welder this year. Located in the rural area of Fort Cobb, Caddo Kiowa Technology Center is a small public university. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $21,576.
High Plains Technology Center earned the #9 position for value in welding technology/welder this year. High Plains Technology Center is a small public school located in the rural area of Woodward. Welding Technology/welder graduates of High Plains Technology Center earn a median of $67,935 early in their careers.
Kiamichi Technology Center Mcalester came in at #10 for value in welding technology/welder this year. Kiamichi Technology Center Mcalester is a mid-sized public school located in the town of McAlester. Typical student debt for welding technology/welder graduates is $7,992. Early-career welding technology/welder graduates make about $24,017. Set against $7,992 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Metro Technology Centers placed #11 among the best values for welding technology/welder. Set in the city of Oklahoma City, Metro Technology Centers is a small public institution. Welding Technology/welder graduates carry a median of $15,833 in student loans. Soon after graduation, welding technology/welder degree recipients from Metro Technology Centers generally make around $48,236. That is a strong return on a $15,833 median debt.
Northeast Technology Center System Office came in at #12 for value in welding technology/welder this year. Set in the town of Pryor, Northeast Technology Center System Office is a small public institution. Early-career welding technology/welder graduates make about $35,262.
Eastern Oklahoma County Technology Center landed the #13 spot for welding technology/welder value this year. Set in the rural area of Choctaw, Eastern Oklahoma County Technology Center is a small public institution. Median earnings reach $49,311 ten years out.
Tulsa Technology Center earned the #14 position for value in welding technology/welder this year. Located in the city of Tulsa, Tulsa Technology Center is a mid-sized public university. Welding Technology/welder graduates carry a median of $11,384 in student loans. Early-career welding technology/welder graduates make about $28,983. That is a strong return on a $11,384 median debt.
Pioneer Technology Center landed the #15 spot for welding technology/welder value this year. Set in the town of Ponca City, Pioneer Technology Center is a small public institution. Soon after graduation, welding technology/welder degree recipients from Pioneer Technology Center generally make around $46,305.
Northwest Technology Center Alva placed #16 among the best values for welding technology/welder. Northwest Technology Center Alva is a small public school located in the rural area of Alva. Graduates go on to earn a median of $32,501 ten years after entry.
Canadian Valley Technology Center came in at #17 for value in welding technology/welder this year. Canadian Valley Technology Center is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of El Reno. Welding Technology/welder graduates of Canadian Valley Technology Center earn a median of $46,777 early in their careers.
Red River Technology Center placed #18 among the best values for welding technology/welder. Set in the rural area of Duncan, Red River Technology Center is a small public institution. Early-career welding technology/welder graduates make about $40,029.
Mid Del Technology Center placed #19 among the best values for welding technology/welder. Mid Del Technology Center is a small public school located in the suburb of Midwest City. Median earnings reach $33,238 ten years out.
Oklahoma Technical College came in at #20 for value in welding technology/welder this year. Located in the city of Tulsa, Oklahoma Technical College is a small private not-for-profit university. Typical student debt for welding technology/welder graduates is $12,662. Soon after graduation, welding technology/welder degree recipients from Oklahoma Technical College generally make around $29,721. Set against $12,662 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Tulsa Welding School Tulsa Campus landed the #21 spot for welding technology/welder value this year. Set in the city of Tulsa, Tulsa Welding School Tulsa Campus is a small private for-profit institution. Students borrow a median of $14,429 to complete the welding technology/welder program here. Soon after graduation, welding technology/welder degree recipients from Tulsa Welding School Tulsa Campus generally make around $32,071. Set against $14,429 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 30 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 21 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.