This is a detailed guide on the 15 best welding schools in the U.S. Based on training and access to resources. Finding the best welding schools in the U.S that fit your budget and lifestyle can be a difficult task as well as choosing a career in welding can be highly lucrative, with great travel and income prospects.
The welding training course gives you a thorough understanding of the subject, the best welding procedures, and your preferred welding area. No professional welder can be qualified without sufficient training.
Obtaining quality welding training from one of the best welding schools in the U.S might increase your marketability. Unemployment can be turned into a well-paying, skilled craftsman by taking formal welding courses.
What is Welding?
Welding is a fabrication method that involves melting and cooling metals or thermoplastics. Unlike brazing and soldering, which do not melt the base metal, welding does.
Depending on the welded design, the weld pool can be stronger than the underlying metal (butt, full penetration, fillet, etc.). A weld pool is created by melting the base metal and filling the joint (parent metal).
Pressure alone or in combination with heat can be welded. An oxidation shield is required when welding filler metals or molten metals.
There are several types of welding: arc, laser, electron beam, friction, and ultrasound. Welding can be done everywhere, including open-air, underwater, and even in space.
Numerous safety precautions must be taken to avoid burns, electric shock, vision loss, inhalation of harmful gases and fumes, and exposure to extremely high UV radiation.
Welding, like any other art form, takes practice. Welding training is required due to the dangers of heat and cutting.
Welders are needed in many industries, including automotive, aerospace, construction, and military.
Careers as an assembler, factory welder, weld inspector, robot repair and maintenance, technical sales, or any other welding-related area are possible with a degree.
6 Reasons why One Should Attend Welding Schools in the U.S
Employers are increasingly seeking accredited post-secondary welding education, according to Bureau Labour Statistics U.S.
While some organizations still hire entry-level labor, many companies today prefer persons with trade school qualifications.
Having a welding education on your CV may put you on an employer’s shortlist for interviews.
It’s a significant decision to enroll in one of the best welding schools in the U.S. The following are six reasons why one should attend welding schools in the U.S.
1. Employers Prefer Applicants with Welding Training
A high school diploma or its equivalent is technically all you need to work as a welder; in fact, some firms may only require it.
However, companies often prefer formal welding instruction from a trade school or equivalent post-secondary institution, so you may find it difficult to find work without this training.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, most welders require a high school education or General Education Development, technical training, and on-the-job training.
2. More Education Could Mean More Pay
Attending welding school isn’t simply a good way to land a job, but it could also help you earn more money once employed.
There is a direct link between education and earnings, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. People with an Associate Degree, on average, make more money per week than those with only a high school education.
3. Welding School Teaches Welding Fundamentals
Students in the best welding schools in the U.S do learn basic arc welding procedures and techniques.
Welding training can include structural, flux core, and pipe welding. Students at best Welding Schools in the U.S can also learn about welding safety, understanding welding symbols, and job preparation.
Welders operate in many different industries, from automotive to infrastructure, and welding school graduates can find entry-level jobs in many of these professions.
4. Prepare for American Welding Society Certification
The American Welding Society (AWS) credentials, including the Certified Welder, are confirmed by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Some organizations need welders to get welding certifications to prove their skills.
Many best welding schools in the U.S are American Welding Society (AWS) approved testing centers. Students can take the welding certification tests directly after welding school.
5. Seize Welding Industry Networking Opportunities
Like most higher education institutions, the best welding schools in the U.S allow students to build a professional network of teachers and peers.
Many instructors who offer welding courses are welders or have retired from the field.
Many welding instructors want to assist their students to develop the skills necessary to succeed in the metal fusing profession.
6. Take Advantage of Career Services after Graduation
The student-school relationship does not have to cease after graduation with the best welding schools in the U.S.
Best welding schools in the U.S help students discover jobs and other career services to help them succeed in the trade. These services frequently involve interview prep, resume writing, and bringing in companies.
15 Best Welding Schools in the U.S
The following is the list of the 15 best welding schools in the U.S for preparing for a career in welding and obtaining gainful work.
1. Hobart Institute of Welding Technology
Hobart Institute of welding is one of the best welding schools in the U.S located in the state of Ohio that specialize completely in welding programs which is also part of the reason why their reputation has spread around the world.
Aside from being known for making high-quality welding equipment, they have a wide range of offerings in this sector.
Students are taught how to perform tig and MIG welds at this school, which was once part of the Hobart Brothers Company until it became its entity in 1930.
It’s been nearly 90 years since the Hobart Institute of Welding Technology began instructing students in the craft of welding. Additionally, Hobart Institute is one of the most cost-effective welding schools in the U.S.
All the modern welding methods can be learned at Hobart Institute, and students can even receive individual training certifications and enroll in online sessions.
The cost of attending the school is $16,000 per year. Welding training programs in Hobart Institute of Welding Technology include Gas Metal Arc Welding, Oxyacetylene Welding and Cutting, Combination Structural and Pipe Welding as well as Flux Cored Arc Welding.
Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges has accredited Hobart Institute. Hobart Institute of Welding Technology is one of the best welding schools in the U.S to educate students for a rewarding career in welding whether it’s an individual class or an entire 24-week program.
Hobart Institute of Welding Technology
2. Tulsa Welding School
Tulsa Welding School is the largest with three different campuses around the U.S. Tulsa Welding School is widely recognized as one of the best welding schools in the U.S.
Tulsa and Jacksonville campuses offer a seven-month professional welder program that emphasizes 80 percent hands-on experience in the welding trades.
Most of the time, students will be working with experienced welders in a controlled atmosphere to learn from them while being in the classroom once a week.
Students who graduate from the Tulsa Welding School have successful careers in welding, pipefitting, air conditioning and heating (HVAC), refrigeration (RIG), electrical work (TIG), and a wide range of other fields. The school has a 67.4 percent graduation rate in welding.
on graduation, Tulsa Welding School’s Texas site offers students an American Welding Society (AWS) approved certification which shows future employers that you know what you’re doing and took the time to earn the most regarded certification you could get.
The annual tuition at Tulsa Welding School is $25,000, and there are just over 900 undergraduate students enrolled.
Tulsa Welding School has campuses in Houston, Jacksonville, and Tulsa, but it also offers a relocation help program to its students.
3. The Lincoln Electric Welding School
According to US News & World Report, Lincoln Electric Welding Institution is the nation’s third-best school for welding instruction.
There has been a Lincoln Electric Welding School since 1917. In terms of welding education, it’s one of the best welding schools in the U.S.
Eight fundamental and advanced welding courses are available at the Lincoln Electric Welding School, a major welding equipment producer in the United States.
In this school, students learn from only the most highly qualified instructors, who supervise and guide them closely throughout the course of their studies.
Lincoln awards students with a diploma upon completion of their program. This helps them land one of the welding industry’s most prestigious professions.
The teaches welding techniques like submerged welding. They’ll be able to work as master welders for the rest of their lives thanks to their extensive training.
Lincoln Electric Welding School
4. Advanced Welding Institute
The Advanced Welding Institute is one of the best welding schools in the U.S, renowned for the quality of its instructors and their emphasis on practical training.
This Advanced Welding Institute was founded in 2003 to assist her sister organization Vermont Nondestructive Testing with welder qualifications.
The programs are designed to get students up and running in a new welding job in a matter of weeks or months. They have two campuses in Vermont and south of Eagle River in Wisconsin.
An API, ASME, and AWS certification can be obtained through full-time welding programs at the Advanced Welding Institute and you will be employed on completion.
5. Modern Welding School
Modern welding school was opened in 1936 in New York City. As one of the best welding schools in the U.S, students can attend lessons throughout the day or night.
The school’s professors are all New York State-certified educators with prior welding experience. The overall cost of welding instruction is $15,300.
Today’s Welding School is the only school in the country that teaches welding to women, veterans, and hobbyists.
ACCSC, ASME, and AWS recognize this school’s certification. Your own schedule allows you to learn all aspects of welding on your own time.
Part-time employees work for 11 months and 1 week and log in for 30 weeks and 900 hours. The course will cover acetylene, structural, pipe, MIG, and TIG welding.
The school offer workshops to keep you up to date on the recent developments in the area.
6. Welder Training & Testing Institute
The Welder Training & Testing Institute is one of the best welding schools in the U.S.
The American Welding Society and the NYC Department of Buildings both accredit the Welder Testing and Training Institute.
The 740-hour program excludes pipe fitting and blueprints reading. The Welder Testing and Training Institute has a facility in Allentown, but students must arrange their own lodging.
It’s 25:1 in the classroom and 15:1 in the shop. It costs $9,900 for the welder fitter program and $8,140 for both.
Welder Training & Testing Institute
7. Davis Applied Technology College
At Davis Applied Technology College graduates find a welding job immediately after completing the welding technology program.
Students are sure of future employers treating them with respect since their qualifications are AWS recognized.
Students can learn about gas tungsten arc welding, gas metal arc welding, shielded metal arc welding, flux core arc welding, and more.
Welding certificates from a technical institute have more weight but are not to be compared to when it comes from a welding school.
Davis Applied Technology College
8. Elite Welding Academy
Elite Welding Academy located in Cincinnati, Ohio, offers 6-month courses in January, March, May, July, September, and November.
As one of the best welding schools in the U.S, it prides itself on giving real-world experiences with instructors that have spent years in the business.
Although the school does not provide on-campus accommodation, it works with area hotels and apartments to provide 6-month leases to students.
Elite Welding Academy is accredited by the Ohio Board of Career Colleges and Schools and the Accrediting Council for Continuing Education and Training.
Elite’s Manufacturing Welding/SP program is exclusively available at South Point. This 240-hour curriculum teaches students about welding, primarily structural and manufacturing welding for industrial and commercial applications.
9. Universal Technical Institute
Universal Technical Institute (UTI) has campuses across the US in locations such as Avondale, Long Beach, Rancho Cucamonga, Lisle, and Bloomfield which is why it is one of the best welding schools in the U.S
To master four different ways simultaneously, students at the Universal Technical Institute can use VRTEX virtual welders and study a curriculum established by Lincoln Electric (GMAW, GTAW, FCAW, and SMAW).
Students interested in welding can learn about the processes and tools required at each stage.
Learning to weld in vertical and overhead situations is as vital as learning to weld on flat and horizontal surfaces.
Graduates are certified by organizations like the American Welding Society test and certify graduates (AWS).
10. Pennsylvania College of Technology
Penn tech is a technical institution that focuses on hands-on learning. If you’re more interested in theory but don’t want to give up time in the garage, this is the course for you.
Multiple welding degree programs are available at their 55,000-square-foot welding and metal fabrication facilities.
An AAS degree in metal fabrication and welding technology is also available, as is a Bachelor of Science degree in welding and fabrication engineering technology.
Their welding certificate program teaches four core welding programs with thorough hands-on experience, as well as their non-destructive testing courses.
According to Penn tech Assessment, Research, and Planning Office, its welding engineering technology program has an overall 95 percent employment placement rate.
For this reason, they have a solid reputation and a significant demand for qualified welders on the market.
Pennsylvania College of Technology
11. San Jacinto Community College
For decades, San Jacinto Community College has been one of the best welding schools in the U.S, producing many graduates with welding degrees and training programs.
Teaching at San Jacinto Community College is recognized to be of exceptionally high caliber. Several certificates and degree-granting welding training programs and courses have been launched at San Jacinto Community College.
Five different certificate programs in welding are available at San Jacinto Community College. In addition, it provides an associate’s degree in welding.
The length of each training program varies, but an associate degree requires four years of study. Students in each degree specialize in a distinct field of welding, and they graduate as welding experts in those areas.
12. Bakersfield College
Bakersfield College located in California is one of the best welding schools in the US. It has been training welders since 1975, and many of its graduates have found work. Bakersfield College welding graduates enrich the industry.
Bakersfield College is one of the best welding schools in the U.S because it educates to the highest standards. The school teaches both academic and practical welding.
It offers everything a student needs to learn about welding, including tools and resources. It helps students find their interests and pursue further education in those areas.
The American Welding Society’s welding certificate can help Bakersfield College alumni advance in their jobs.
13. Ashland Community and Technical College
Ashland Community and Technical College claim that its graduates will be qualified to work in boiler-making, maritime welding, manufacturing, pipe fitting, and ironworking.
Ashland Community and Technical College have no on-campus housing. In-state tuition is $169 per credit hour, while out-of-state tuition is $529 per credit hour.
Ashland Community and Technical College
14. Central Louisiana Technical Community College
Central Louisiana Technical Community College has a 70% graduation rate throughout its seven locations. Central Louisiana TCC is estimated at $2,402 per semester.
Among the courses it offers are welding assistance and arc welding. Students usually take 15 hours per semester and finish in four semesters. Central Louisiana Technical Community College requires a 2.0 GPA to continue enrolled.
Central Louisiana Technical Community College
15. Akron Testing Laboratory and Welding School
The Akron Testing Laboratory and Welding School provide 45 welding booths, a grinding area, 2 band saws, a plasma cutting machine, and oxy-acetylene torches for its pupils.
In addition, Akron Testing Laboratory performs welder qualification testing to the manufacturing, construction, and pressure pipe industries.
It’s not often that students get to observe how their education affects on-the-job testing and qualifications.
Also See: 15 Best Technical Colleges In Massachusetts
Akron Testing Laboratory and Welding Schools strive to provide a flexible learning environment for students in all situations.
Akron Testing Laboratory and Welding School
These are the best welding schools in the U.S for most students though there are others. You should carefully consider the type of education you desire.