Best Welding Schools

While you can buy a cheap welder and practice welding independently, nothing beats the knowledge you get from a licensed welding instructor. Whether you're a beginner or looking to enhance your skills, choosing the right welding school is crucial to ensure a solid foundation in this dynamic trade. 

In this article, we'll explore the best welding schools that stand out for their comprehensive curriculum, state-of-the-art facilities, experienced instructors, and hands-on training opportunities. From renowned institutions to specialized vocational schools, this article will provide everything you need to know before choosing the best welding schools. 

 

Why Should You Choose Welding School Over Individual Practice

While practicing welding on your own might seem convenient, enrolling in a reputable welding school provides a comprehensive and structured learning experience that maximizes your potential and sets you up for long-term success in the welding industry. Welding schools offer a structured curriculum that covers a wide range of welding techniques, safety protocols, and industry standards.

Welding schools offer hands-on training in well-equipped workshops. This allows you to practice using professional-grade equipment. Welding also involves inherent risks, such as exposure to hazardous fumes, intense heat, and electrical hazards. Welding schools prioritize safety training, teaching you how to handle equipment safely, use protective gear, and follow industry safety protocols.

Reputable welding schools, such as the ones we included on our list, will often have strong connections with local industries and employers. They may offer job placement assistance, internships, or apprenticeship programs. Many employers in the welding industry require specific certifications or qualifications. Welding schools can help you obtain these credentials, significantly enhancing your employability.

How To Choose The Best Welding School?

Choosing the proper welder training is a fairly complex topic, and we dedicated an entire guide to help you get the best for your money spent. So in this article, we'll briefly explain the most crucial aspect that might affect your choice.

We often use the term "welding school" to cover a wide range of institutions that provide welding courses. Commonly, you can get an education through a technical (vocational) school, community college, apprenticeship program, or university. Overall, these all differ in length, cost, and certification.

• Length: technical schools usually offer shorter courses, such as Introduction to Welding or Welding I, which can only last 3-6 months. Meanwhile, advanced welding technique courses in university can last up to 4 years.
• Cost: Vocational schools are often considered cheaper options compared to university or community colleges. Considering lower costs and shorter courses, these have fast ROI. The university is more expensive and lasts longer, but a degree can set you up for higher and better-paid positions.
• Certification: Shorter courses will yield welding certification (usually by the American Welding Society) that will prove your knowledge and skills, and it is usually enough for future work. However, a university degree opens doors for blue-collar welding jobs such as welding engineering technology or certified inspection.
• Welding Programs: Choose your course based on your future goals. Schools offer beginner and advanced courses, and some will closely specialize in pipe or structural welding.
• Equipment And Facilities: Some of the most reputable and advanced schools will provide you with the latest equipment that makes learning much easier. The future of welding includes VR and tailored training experience; you can find it at some of the most advanced schools.

Best Welding Schools Reviews

Considering everything you need to get your certification and start a welding career, we compiled a list of the best welding schools that perfectly combine everything you need to get proper skills to weld straight out of school independently. The best welding schools on our list are:

• Lincoln Electric Welding School
• Tulsa welding school
• Advanced Welding institute
• Hobart Institute of welding technology
• Elite welding academy
• Ferris state university
• South Georgia technical college
• Universal Technical Institute

Lincoln Electric Welding School

Lincoln Electric is one of the oldest welding equipment manufacturers and most certainly a big name in the world of welding. Besides production and innovation, they have been playing a big role in welding education. The first Lincoln electric welding school was established in 1917, and since then, they have instructed over 150,000 welders.

Today, welding training is carried out in Lincoln Electric Welding Technology & Training Center (WTTC), a 130,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art facility in Euclid, Ohio. WTTC features 166 welding and cutting booths, a virtual reality training lab, a 100-seat auditorium, and extensive seminar and welding classroom space to advance technical skills. So, if you are looking for a high-tech school with VR training and the latest technologies, Lincoln Electric welding school is a good choice.

When it comes to courses, Lincoln Electric offers a variety of different options. You can choose 2-day courses, such as Weekend With Metal or Weekend GTAW, to get into the world of metalworking while having fun doing it. As a beginner, you can opt for introductory courses, such as Introduction to Welding or Introduction to Basic Plate SMAW Welding. These are 30-hour courses you can easily complete to start welding. However, Licnoln also offers advanced welding technique courses, such as ASME Pipe or API welding, or courses designed to master one of four primary techniques (MIG, Flux Core, Stick Or TIG Welding and Oxy cutting).

The price of courses is affordable, with weekend ones costing roughly $350, approximately $1000 for 30-hour programs, and around $3500 for pipe welding programs. Welding programs are usually short, up to 180 clock hours, but you learn everything to weld out of the school. Completing any course will grant you a certification that proves your skills and increases your chances of getting a future job.

Tulsa Welding School

Tulsa Welding School (TWS) was founded in 1949 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Since then, TWS has become a multi-campus institution that trains students in the skills, knowledge, and attitudes necessary for entry-level positions in the skilled trades, including welding. Today, welding courses are also available in Jacksonville, Florida, Houston, and Irving, Texas.

Similar to Lincoln, TWS now provides an OcuWeld Virtual Reality (VR) to enhance welding training. OcuWeld is a new and innovative Virtual Reality (VR) welding simulator designed by expert welding instructors for our welding students. A good side is that TWS offers flexible class schedules. Classes start in the morning (7.30 am), afternoon (1 pm), or evening (6.30 pm) term, so you can choose the one that suits your schedule the best.

Regarding the courses, there are three different welding programs at Tulsa welding school. The first one is Professional Welder, a 7-month program designed to teach students everything about welding, from Welding Fundamentals to Gas metal arc welding/Flux core arc welding processes, to Basic and Advanced pipe welding. If you want to learn more, you can opt for The Welding Specialist with Pipefitting program. This program includes courses that are more oriented to pipe welding and pipefitting, and it lasts 9.5 months.

Lastly, the Associates of Occupational Studies (AOS) in Welding Technology program. This program is designed for welders that completed the Professional Welder program but want to study for an Associate's Degree. AOS course lasts 14 months but teaches students advanced courses such as Codes and Specifications, various testing methods, and more. The average tuition for attending Tulsa Welding School is approximately $20,000, but there are various financial aid options. Even though costlier than Lincoln, you can study for a higher degree in TWS.

Advanced Welding Institute

Advanced Welding Institute (AWI) is another reputable welding school that offers accelerated welding programs, hands-on training, and a good educational environment. While there are no advanced technical aspects, such as VR training, the training is tailored to individual learning needs. AWI operates at two campuses in Vermont and Wisconsin.

Source: https://awi.edu/campus/

The welder training at the Advanced welding institute is divided into three groups. There are full-time courses, such as the Structural welding program and Combination welding program, that incorporate structural welding and pipe welding. These 14- or 24-week full-time programs teach students how to weld plates and pipe in all positions. Class start dates are the first Monday of September and March, and students must complete 90% of 600.0 clock hours to graduate. The average tuition is approximately $20,000, with added costs for books, testing, and welding certification tests.

The second group of courses is reserved for professional development. These are 40-hour programs designed to help students closely understand one out of the four main welding techniques. These are shorter and cheaper courses (approximately $1500) that ultimately qualify welders for certification.

Finally, at AWI, you can complete any reputable welding certification tests. The school is fully accredited by Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC), so you can sign up for any American welding society (AWS), American Petroleum Institute (API), or American Society Of Mechanical Engineers certification.

Certified Welding Inspector Certificate
Source: https://www.thefabricator.com/thewelder/article/arcwelding/so-you-want-to-become-an-aws-cwi

Hobart Institute of welding technology

Hobart Institute of Welding Technology was started in 1930 as a department of the Hobart Brothers Company. At that time, four welding booths were placed in the corner of the Hobart factory and used for training. Today, The Institute is housed in two facilities on a 12-acre campus. The Main Campus is a 156,000 square feet facility featuring 284 arc welding booths, labs, and classrooms, while the North Campus is a 16,309 square feet facility featuring 24 arc welding booths for hands-on training, classrooms, and labs.

The welder training is divided into The Pathways Welding Program and Structural Welding Program. Both programs fall within the scope of the school’s ACCSC institutional accreditation and yield proper certification. Pathways Welding Program is divided into two separate modules and aimed at students interested in developing the skills and knowledge associated with all position welding on plate.

The first module is 24 weeks in length and comprises 10 courses that focus on developing welding fundamentals and skills. During this module, welders conduct welding certification tests in all four primary welding techniques (GMAW, FCAW, SMAW, and Gas tungsten arc welding). While completing module 1, students will complete a series of career advising sessions where they will learn about the different industries associated with welding. After completing the introductory module, students choose to become either a pipe welder, pipefitter, fabricator, or downhill pipe welder. The average tuition for this program is $22,600, with added book and equipment fees.

The Structural Welding Program is aimed at students interested in learning the major welding processes for all position welding on plate, safety, and technical information. The program includes the opportunity to test four Welder Qualifications and opens the door to entry-level employment as a structural welder. While this program is cheaper (average tuition $13,800 with added books and equipment fees), both welding training programs last 40 weeks or 840 clock hours.

Elite Welding Academy

Elite welding academy is a relatively new but modern welding school (founded in 2006), but it empowers individuals with the skills they need to succeed in the welding industry and improve their quality of life. Today, this is AWS Accredited Test Facility and NCCER Accredited Training Sponsor and Assessment Center, ensuring students receive the highest level of training and certification. The school operates on three campuses in Cincinnati, South Point, and Houston.

The welder training is divided into four main programs: Structural Pipe And Welding, Structural Welding, Manufacturing welding, and Downhill welding. The most comprehensive, but also the longest and the most expensive, is the Structural pipe and welding program, which is divided into four sessions, each consisting of 250 clock hours, for a total of 1000 hours of instruction. The total cost of the course with tuition and fees is $16,968, but graduates are awarded a Certificate of Completion for the Structural and Pipe Welding Program.

The structural welding program is designed to train individuals for the commercial and industrial industries in the area of structural welding. This is a 25-week course with a total of 600 clock hours aimed at students needing a faster and cheaper ($8,852 total costs) program. The Manufacturing Welding Program is 240 clock hours long and takes only 11 weeks to complete, which is excellent for anyone getting into a trade. The Downhill welding program is similar in length, but the curriculum is aimed at a more narrow group of users. All programs yield certificate that is fully accredited by the American welding society and other reputable organizations.

Ferris State University

As we noted at the beginning, you can also start a welding career at the university. Ferris State University (FSU or Ferris) is a public university with its main campus in Big Rapids, Michigan. It was founded in 1884 and became a public institution in 1950. The faculty and staff at Ferris are consistently recognized for their scholarship, expertise, and unmatched dedication to our students, and their programs, including welding, are innovative and comprehensive.

Ferris State University offers various programs, but two are dedicated to welding: Welding Technology and Welding Engineering Technology program. These advanced welding programs will yield either an associate's or bachelor's degree. The Welding Technology program focuses on hands-on laboratory experience in welding processes, metallurgy, mechanical testing, inspection, and fabrication of weldments. The graduates earn An Associate of Applied Science in Welding Technology degree, and they can work as welding technicians, welding supervisors, inspectors, and sales representatives.

The Welding Engineering Technology program is designed to produce plant-level welding engineering technology graduates who are involved in the concept, design, and engineering of weldments and implementation of welding processes. The competition yields a Bachelor of Science in Welding Engineering Technology degree, but keep in mind that you need to have an associate's degree to enroll.

Overall, the university is longer (2 years for an associate's and four years for a bachelor's) and more expensive than vocational schools. The estimated costs per year at FSU are $27,498 but graduating will open the doors for blue-collar work as supervisor, inspector, and engineer, which are all away from dirt and hazards.

South Georgia Technical College

South Georgia Technical College (SGTC) is a community college in Americus, Georgia, and it has a satellite campus in Cordele, Georgia. The college was established in 1948; however, the grounds and infrastructure date back to 1917. Today, this is the second oldest technical college in Georgia and one of only two technical colleges in Georgia with on-campus housing. The welding programs combine schools and universities where you can complete a course or aim at a degree.

The Welding and Joining program is designed to prepare students for careers in the welding industry. Program learning opportunities develop academic, technical, and professional knowledge and skills required for job acquisition, retention, and advancement. The program requires 54 minimum semester hour credits required for graduation, and graduates receive a Welding and Joining Technology diploma.

Meanwhile, like with technical schools, you can opt for significantly shorter certification courses, but they will yield certification and prove your skills. Courses such as Advanced Shielded Metal Arc Welder, Pipe Welder, or Welding blueprint reading usually require 12-15 credits. These courses will teach welding fundamentals end create opportunities for further development in the welding career.

The tuition is $100 per credit hour, but you should consider various fees, such as an application fee, graduation fee or testing fee, and many more. However, considering the shorter courses, SGTC is cheaper than FSU. Still, you get proper certification and diploma to help you get your future job.

Universal Technical Institute

The Universal Technical Institute is an excellent welding school in Orlando, Florida, but it has institutions nationwide. They have schools that offer training in 45 qualifications for students preparing for careers as professional automotive, diesel, collision repair, motorcycle, marine, CNC machining, but also welding technicians.

Source: https://www.uti.edu/

While there is a large number of schools across the state, welding program is offered in Avondale (Arizona), Long Beach (California), Rancho Cucamonga (California), Miramar (Florida), Lisle (Illinois), Bloomfield (New Jersey), NASCAR Tech (North Carolina), Exton (Pennsylvania), Austin (Texas), Dallas/Fort Worth (Texas) and Houston (Texas).

Students in UTI’s Welding program learn about the procedures and equipment required to weld using gas metal arc (GMAW), shielded metal arc (SMAW), flux-cored arc (FCAW), and Gas tungsten arc (GTAW) welders. Students also learn how to weld in the flat, horizontal, vertical, and overhead positions used for plate or sheet metal and the fixed, rolling, and overhead positions used for the pipe. The Welding program takes 36 weeks, and the curriculum is developed with Lincoln Electric. As a result, students can train on VR machines and use the latest technologies in welding.

The price of UTI is highly dependent on each student, and it varies on the current status and possible applications for financial aid. However, the overall costs are approximately $20-30,000. Therefore, it might be a bit expensive, but remember that their advanced automotive or mechanic programs can cost up to $50,000.

Conclusion

Enrolling in a welding school provides numerous benefits that far outweigh the advantages of practicing welding on your own. From structured education and hands-on training to safety protocols and industry connections, welding schools offer a holistic approach to learning and developing your skills.

By attending a reputable institution, you gain access to experienced instructors, state-of-the-art facilities, and opportunities for certification and continued education. These factors not only enhance your knowledge and proficiency in welding but also increase your employability and open doors to more advanced career opportunities, and we made sure to cover the top welding schools that offer just that.

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