2026 Best Value Welding Technology/Welder Schools in the The Plains States Region
[Welding Technology/Welder](/majors/production-product-development/precision-metal-working/welding-technology-welder/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong welding technology/welder education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 100 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value welding technology/welder schools.
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2026 Best Value Welding Technology/Welder Schools in the The Plains States Region
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
Hutchinson Community College earned the #1 spot for value among welding technology/welder schools in the The Plains States Region. Set in the town of Hutchinson, Hutchinson Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,540, with out-of-state students paying around $4,770. Typical student debt for welding technology/welder graduates is $18,148. Welding Technology/welder graduates of Hutchinson Community College earn a median of $42,285 early in their careers. Set against $18,148 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Metropolitan Community College Area came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value welding technology/welder schools. Set in the city of Omaha, Metropolitan Community College Area is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,375 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $4,950. Typical student debt for welding technology/welder graduates is $12,799. Welding Technology/welder graduates of Metropolitan Community College Area earn a median of $45,583 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Seward County Community College And Area Technical School came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value welding technology/welder schools. Located in the town of Liberal, Seward County Community College And Area Technical School is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,032 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,408 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for welding technology/welder graduates is $9,175. Soon after graduation, welding technology/welder degree recipients from Seward County Community College And Area Technical School generally make around $53,375. That is a strong return on a $9,175 median debt.
A rank of #4 makes Crowder College one of the best values for welding technology/welder. Located in the town of Neosho, Crowder College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,104, with out-of-state students paying around $5,784. Typical student debt for welding technology/welder graduates is $9,887. Early-career welding technology/welder graduates make about $33,869. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #5 makes Salina Area Technical College one of the best values for welding technology/welder. Salina Area Technical College is a small public school located in the town of Salina. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,128. Welding Technology/welder graduates carry a median of $17,124 in student loans. Welding Technology/welder graduates of Salina Area Technical College earn a median of $38,440 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Central Community College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value welding technology/welder schools. Set in the city of Grand Island, Central Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,360, with out-of-state students paying around $4,800. Typical student debt for welding technology/welder graduates is $5,500. Welding Technology/welder graduates of Central Community College earn a median of $39,409 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
St Charles Community College landed the #7 spot for welding technology/welder value this year. St Charles Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Cottleville. In-state tuition and fees average $3,810, while out-of-state students pay about $7,620. Welding Technology/welder graduates carry a median of $12,606 in student loans. Welding Technology/welder graduates of St Charles Community College earn a median of $47,228 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Western Nebraska Community College came in at #8 for value in welding technology/welder this year. Set in the town of Scottsbluff, Western Nebraska Community College is a small public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,840, while out-of-state students pay about $4,410. Students borrow a median of $14,507 to complete the welding technology/welder program here. Welding Technology/welder graduates of Western Nebraska Community College earn a median of $62,413 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Marshalltown Community College came in at #9 for value in welding technology/welder this year. Located in the town of Marshalltown, Marshalltown Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,496 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,504. Welding Technology/welder graduates carry a median of $11,577 in student loans. Early-career welding technology/welder graduates make about $45,972. That is a strong return on a $11,577 median debt.
Fort Scott Community College earned the #10 position for value in welding technology/welder this year. Fort Scott Community College is a small public school located in the town of Fort Scott. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,390, while out-of-state students pay about $3,840. Students borrow a median of $12,990 to complete the welding technology/welder program here. Welding Technology/welder graduates of Fort Scott Community College earn a median of $40,041 early in their careers. Set against $12,990 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Coffeyville Community College placed #11 among the best values for welding technology/welder. Coffeyville Community College is a small public school located in the town of Coffeyville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,600, with out-of-state students paying around $4,680. Typical student debt for welding technology/welder graduates is $12,838. Early-career welding technology/welder graduates make about $45,342. That is a strong return on a $12,838 median debt.
Indian Hills Community College placed #12 among the best values for welding technology/welder. Indian Hills Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Ottumwa. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,040, compared with $6,120 for out-of-state students. Welding Technology/welder graduates carry a median of $15,390 in student loans. Early-career welding technology/welder graduates make about $49,626. Set against $15,390 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Dodge City Community College landed the #13 spot for welding technology/welder value this year. Located in the town of Dodge City, Dodge City Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,650, while out-of-state students pay about $5,850. Median earnings reach $45,427 ten years out.
Metropolitan Community College Kansas City earned the #14 position for value in welding technology/welder this year. Located in the city of Kansas City, Metropolitan Community College Kansas City is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,630, while out-of-state students pay about $9,600. Typical student debt for welding technology/welder graduates is $12,281. Soon after graduation, welding technology/welder degree recipients from Metropolitan Community College Kansas City generally make around $36,908. Set against $12,281 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Southeast Community College Area placed #15 among the best values for welding technology/welder. Set in the city of Lincoln, Southeast Community College Area is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,444, compared with $4,032 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,650 to complete the welding technology/welder program here. Early-career welding technology/welder graduates make about $49,114. That is a strong return on a $11,650 median debt.
Williston State College landed the #16 spot for welding technology/welder value this year. Williston State College is a small public school located in the town of Williston. Students from in state pay about $6,114 in tuition and fees. Welding Technology/welder graduates carry a median of $15,400 in student loans. Early-career welding technology/welder graduates make about $42,984. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mid Plains Community College landed the #17 spot for welding technology/welder value this year. Set in the rural area of North Platte, Mid Plains Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,600, while out-of-state students pay about $4,530. Students borrow a median of $14,596 to complete the welding technology/welder program here. Soon after graduation, welding technology/welder degree recipients from Mid Plains Community College generally make around $39,396. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cowley County Community College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value welding technology/welder schools. Set in the town of Arkansas City, Cowley County Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,800 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,600. Typical student debt for welding technology/welder graduates is $9,312. Welding Technology/welder graduates of Cowley County Community College earn a median of $34,099 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,312 median debt.
Northeast Community College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value welding technology/welder schools. Located in the town of Norfolk, Northeast Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,840, while out-of-state students pay about $5,130. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the welding technology/welder program here. Early-career welding technology/welder graduates make about $38,353. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.
Ozarks Technical Community College ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value welding technology/welder schools. Located in the city of Springfield, Ozarks Technical Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,256, while out-of-state students pay about $7,040. Typical student debt for welding technology/welder graduates is $4,737. Soon after graduation, welding technology/welder degree recipients from Ozarks Technical Community College generally make around $36,757. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Western Iowa Tech Community College came in at #21 for value in welding technology/welder this year. Western Iowa Tech Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Sioux City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,186, compared with $5,330 for out-of-state students. Welding Technology/welder graduates carry a median of $7,910 in student loans. Early-career welding technology/welder graduates make about $41,613. Set against $7,910 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Jefferson College ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value welding technology/welder schools. Jefferson College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Hillsboro. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,250, compared with $8,850 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for welding technology/welder graduates is $13,664. Early-career welding technology/welder graduates make about $47,560. That is a strong return on a $13,664 median debt.
North Iowa Area Community College earned the #23 position for value in welding technology/welder this year. Located in the rural area of Mason City, North Iowa Area Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $6,653 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,551 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for welding technology/welder graduates is $12,043. Early-career welding technology/welder graduates make about $44,466. Set against $12,043 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Pratt Community College ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value welding technology/welder schools. Located in the town of Pratt, Pratt Community College is a small public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,256, compared with $4,936 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for welding technology/welder graduates is $10,327. Early-career welding technology/welder graduates make about $61,703. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Labette Community College earned the #25 position for value in welding technology/welder this year. Located in the town of Parsons, Labette Community College is a small public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,064, compared with $4,864 for out-of-state students. Welding Technology/welder graduates carry a median of $12,288 in student loans. Soon after graduation, welding technology/welder degree recipients from Labette Community College generally make around $46,710. Set against $12,288 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Welding Technology/Welder Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for welding technology/welder this year:
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 100 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 13 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.
