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. 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 5 schools to find the best return on investment for welding technology/welder students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in welding technology/welder, balancing cost against outcomes.
Leading the list is Williston State College, our #1 best value for welding technology/welder in North Dakota. 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. That is a strong return on a $15,400 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in welding technology/welder will find it at Bismarck State College, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Bismarck, Bismarck State College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,247, with out-of-state students paying around $7,331. Students borrow a median of $13,340 to complete the welding technology/welder program here. Welding Technology/welder graduates of Bismarck State College earn a median of $61,364 early in their careers. Set against $13,340 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at North Dakota State College Of Science earned it the #3 place for welding technology/welder. North Dakota State College Of Science is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Wahpeton. In-state tuition and fees average $5,974, while out-of-state students pay about $6,973. Welding Technology/welder graduates carry a median of $11,246 in student loans. Early-career welding technology/welder graduates make about $51,647. That is a strong return on a $11,246 median debt.
Dickinson State University came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value welding technology/welder schools. Dickinson State University is a small public school located in the town of Dickinson. Students from in state pay about $9,118 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,266 to complete the welding technology/welder program here. Early-career welding technology/welder graduates make about $51,049. Set against $27,266 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Dickinson State University admits about 37% of applicants.
Lynnes Welding Training came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value welding technology/welder schools. Located in the city of Fargo, Lynnes Welding Training is a small private for-profit university. Welding Technology/welder graduates carry a median of $3,700 in student loans. Soon after graduation, welding technology/welder degree recipients from Lynnes Welding Training generally make around $45,833.
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 5 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 5 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.