The Best Training for
Welding in 2021
Welding is an exciting career if you’re interested in taking risks, traveling the world, or even working underwater. The welding process consists of joining two metal parts by applying heat. You can create all types of projects, from home furniture to roller coasters and Ferris wheels.
In the old days, people didn’t need to go to school to be a welder. On-the-job experience was enough. However, those days are long gone. Now you need to complete a training course and receive a welding certification to become a welder. In this guide, we will show you the best welding schools and programs in the United States.
Rundown: The Top 10 Welding Programs in 2021
To become a certified welding professional, you need to receive career training. You can receive this through a welding training program at a trade school, community college, or university. Getting a degree is valuable, but obtaining a bachelor’s degree is not necessary to work in the field.
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Below are the top welding schools in the country. Note that tuition information comes from either the schools’ websites or the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES).
| School | State | Programs and Cost | Certifications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Albany Technical College | GA | Welding and Joining Technology Diploma Tuition: $100 per credit hour |
None |
| Arizona Automotive Institute | AZ | Combination Welding Diploma Tuition and fees: $20,663 |
None |
| Ashland Community and Technical College | KY | Associate Degree in Welding Technology In-state tuition: $179 per credit hour Out-of-state tuition: $358 – $627 per credit hour |
None |
| Brigham Young University – Idaho | ID | Bachelor of Science in Welding Engineering Technology Tuition for members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints: $2,150 per semester Tuition for non-members: $4,300 per semester |
None |
| Central Louisiana Technical Community College | LA | Technical Diploma in Welding Tuition: $133.92 per credit hour |
None |
| Ferris State University | MI | Associate in Applied Science of Welding Technology Tuition: $12,404 per year Bachelor of Science in Welding Engineering Technology Tuition: $12,404 per year |
None |
| Hobart Institute of Welding Technology | OH | Structural Welding Diploma Tuition: $11,700 Combination Structural and Pipeline Welding Diploma Tuition: $19,500 |
AWS Certified Welder |
| Modern Welding School | NY | Combination Welding Diploma Tuition: $16,200 |
SMAW Welder Certification |
| South Georgia Technical College | GA | Welding And Joining Tech Diploma Tuition fee: $100 per credit hour |
None |
| Tulsa Welding School | OK, TX, FL | Welding Specialist with Pipefitting Diploma Tuition: $20,465 Associate of Occupational Studies in Welding Technology Tuition: $16,974 Professional Welder with Pipefitting Diploma Tuition: $20,465 Welding Specialist Tuition: $17,857 Professional Welder Tuition: $17,857 |
None |
How to Pick the Best Welding School for You
There are several factors that will influence your choice of schools. Below are four concrete things to look for in a welding school.
Program Resources
Not all schools come equipped with sufficient tools to practice with, making it harder for students to gain practical experience. You don’t want to be fighting classmates over who gets to use a piece of equipment. To avoid this issue, make sure you ask an admissions representative about the school’s facilities.
Variety of Offerings
Before choosing a particular school, you should ask yourself what type of welding you’d like to specialize in. Two common specialties are pipe and plate welding. Whichever specialty you choose, ensure that your school offers a matching program.
Tuition, Fees, and Other Expenses
Another aspect to consider is tuition. Is this something you can afford? If it isn’t, you should consider a different institution. However, many schools offer different financial aid options to make payment easier. You can apply for federal grants, take out private loans, negotiate monthly installments, or earn a scholarship to partially or fully fund your studies.
Program Length
Every program has a different length, so it depends on your priorities. For example, an apprenticeship program lasts about a year, an associate degree takes two years to complete, and a bachelor’s degree requires four years. Choose a program that fits your current lifestyle and expectations.
The Best Welding Schools of 2021
Many universities struggle to prepare students for the workforce, but that’s simply not the case for the top welding schools. The following list surveys the best welding schools and programs, based on tuition fees, financing options, the quality of the curriculum, and yes, job preparation.
Albany Technical College
Programs
Welding and Joining Technology Diploma
Accreditation
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Online Options
N/A
This Albany Technical College program offers hands-on experience training by teaching you the most fundamental aspects of professional welding. Some of the things you’ll learn are oxy-fuel and plasma cutting and 6G welding.
By the end of the program, you’ll be able to perform flat surface welding, overhead welding, horizontal welding, uphill welding, and downhill welding.
Welding and Joining Technology Curriculum
General education: English, math, and interpersonal relations
Blueprint reading
Oxy-fuel and plasma cutting
6G welding
Arizona Automotive Institute
Programs
Combination Welding Diploma
Accreditation
Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC)
Online Options
N/A
The Arizona Automotive Institute is a vocational school focused on automotive occupations like heavy truck technician or refrigeration specialist. However, you can also study combination welding with a focus on welding mechanics.
This is a certificate program and a license preparation course at the same time. You will learn everything you need to know to pass the professional welder certification exam from the American Welding Society (AWS).
Combination Welding Curriculum
Gas tungsten arc welding
Plasma arc cutting
Welding repairs
Par fabrication
Ashland Community and Technical College
Programs
Associate in Applied Science in Welding Technology, Associate in Applied Science in Pipeline Welding, Combination Welding Diploma
Accreditation
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Online Options
N/A
The Ashland Community and Technical College is one of the most reputable institutions in Kentucky and has some of the lowest tuition fees. The school has an enrollment of 2,600 and offers three welding programs, including two associate degree options and one technical diploma option.
Associate in Applied Science in Welding Technology Curricula
Tack welding
Production line welding
Pipeline welding
Brigham Young University – Idaho
Programs
Bachelor of Science in Welding Engineering Technology, Bachelor of Science in Welding and Fabrication Technology Management, Associate of Applied Science in Welding and Fabrication Technology
Accreditation
Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
Online Options
N/A
BYU-Idaho offers three programs in welding technology. You can choose the associate degree for a shorter two-year program or go for a four-year Bachelor’s Degree in Welding Technology or Welding Technology Management. Both of these programs help prepare you for the professional welder certification exam from AWS.
These programs are more technical than the ones offered at the aforementioned schools. You will learn how professional engineers approach welding technology, including how to use specialized software like CAD/CAM.
Bachelor of Science in Welding Engineering Technology Curriculum
Chemistry
Engineering statistics
Engineering materials
CAD/CAM software
Welding inspection
Welding manufacturing
Central Louisiana Technical Community College
Programs
Technical Diploma in Welding
Accreditation
Accrediting Commission of the Council on Occupational Education
Online Options
N/A
Central Louisiana Technical Community College is one of the largest schools in the region. It offers a technical welding program validated by the American Welding Society (AWS). Students receive the proper training to pass the professional welder certification exam from AWS.
Technical Diploma in Welding Curriculum
Oxy-fuel cutting
Carbon arc cutting
Plasma arc cutting
Shielded metal arc welding
Gas tungsten arc welding
Blueprint reading
Flux-cored arc welding
Gas metal arc welding
Weld symbols
Pipe welding
Ferris State University
Programs
Associate in Applied Science in Welding Technology, Bachelor of Science in Welding Engineering Technology
Accreditation
Higher Learning Commission
Online Options
N/A
Ferris State University offers both associate and bachelor’s degree options for aspiring welders. The school’s welding department is one of the largest in the country. Graduates typically find work in several industries, including construction and robotics. According to FSU’s website, the average graduate earns a starting salary of $62,000.
It’s important to mention that this school has excellent laboratories to practice robotic welding, inspections, and mechanical testing.
AAS in Welding Technology Curriculum
General education
Welding engineering
Welding design
Mechanical testing
Metallurgy
Fabrication of weldments
Hobart Institute of Welding Technology
Programs
Combination Structural and Pipe Welding Diploma, Structural Welding Diploma
Accreditation
Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC)
Online Options
N/A
Hobart Institute of Welding Technology has more than 90 years of experience teaching welding and its programs have gained international recognition. They offer career and job placement services to help students build up their soft skills. According to the school, 92 percent of graduates are working in the welding industry.
Both of Hobart’s main welding programs provide you with a wide variety of welding skills, including four weeks of oxyacetylene welding training and two weeks of welding technology training. The Combination Structural and Pipe Welding Program lasts 40 weeks, while the Structural Welding Program lasts 24 weeks.
Structural Welding Curriculum
Advanced blueprint reading
Gas tungsten arc welding
Oxyacetylene welding
Gas metal arc welding
Pipe cutting
Brazing
Modern Welding School
Programs
Combination Welding Diploma
Accreditation
Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges
Online Options
N/A
The Modern Welding School offers a full-time combination welding certificate program that provides you with bottom-up welding training. This school has special opportunities for women and veterans.
The program lasts 900 hours and uses books, equipment, metals, and supplies for training. The school also offers career services and has a high post-graduate employment rate. According to the school’s 2019 annual report, 82 percent of graduates got jobs in the welding industry.
Combination Welding Curriculum
TIG welding
Steel/aluminum/pipe welding
Oxyacetylene welding
MIG welding
Flux-core welding
South Georgia Technical College
Programs
Welding and Joining Tech Diploma
Accreditation
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Online Options
N/A
South Georgia Technical College offers a technical diploma. Its program prepares you for employment by emphasizing laboratory classes. To be eligible for this particular degree, you must have a high school diploma and be over 16.
This school has a reputable and large welding department with a wide variety of specialized courses. These welder programs focus on particular skills like welding blueprint reading, gas tungsten arc welding, and pipe welding. You can learn all of these skills in the technical degree program, but you can also get a professional certificate in a particular skill.
Welding and Joining Tech Curriculum
Vertical shielded metal arc welding fabrication
Advanced shielded metal arc welding
Flux-cored arc welding
Welding blueprint reading
Gas tungsten arc welding
Pipe welding
Tulsa Welding School
Programs
Professional Welder, Welding Specialist with Pipefitting, Professional Welder with Pipefitting, Associate of Occupational Studies in Welding Technology
Accreditation
Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges
Online Options
N/A
TWS is one of the largest welding institutions in the country. It offers several welding programs, including an Associate Degree in Welding Technology. Most programs are short-term and flexible. They range from seven to ten months long.
The associate degree is a two-year degree that gives you the tools you need to start a career in welding. You will learn about welding codes, metallurgy, quality assurance, and more.
The program includes job placement services and career guidance. The school also has several hiring partners that make your job hunt easier.
Professional Welder with Pipefitting Curriculum
Blueprint reading
Plumbing codes
Pipe systems installation
Mathematics
How Much Can You Earn as a Welder?
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average salary of a welder is $44,190, which is about the national median income. The demand for welders is expected to grow three percent by 2029.
The Highest-Paying Welding Roles
| Role | Required Education | Approx. Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Pipe Welder | Apprenticeship certificate, American Welding Society (AWS) certification |
$69,841 |
| Structural Welder | High school diploma | $43,203 |
| Welder/Fitter | High school diploma | $38,804 |
| Fabricator/Welder | Associate degree | $38,252 |
| MIG welder | Apprenticeship certificate | $36,131 |
Why You Should Be a Welder in 2021
Welding is one of the highest-paying trades in the US. Construction companies will continue to hire welders and offer long-term positions. Welding is an important profession in industries like aerospace, construction, manufacturing, and natural gas distribution. If you’re interested in one of those sectors, it may be a good occupation for you.
