The Best Welding Schools and Colleges to Get Your Welding Certification

welding school graduation diploma

When you choose welding as your occupation and if you want to make it your source of earning bread, you need a welding certification or a degree. For that purpose, you will come across a number of welding schools and colleges in America. Choosing one of them will be highly confusing so here we have reviewed the top welding schools in America. It will make it easier for you to narrow down the options and choose the best among them.

Introduction

Welding is an art and like every other art, it does not come without practice. As welding includes dealing with heat and cuts, there needs to be professional training for that. The training course or a bachelor’s degree in welding gives you an in-depth knowledge of the field, best welding practices, and the area of welding you think you can work the best. Without a proper training course, you cannot be qualified to become a professional welder.

Also, when you want to opt for welding as your profession, it is useless to go around looking for a job without a welding certification or a degree. Every professional company or organization that hires welders who have a welding certification to make sure they are qualified and capable for the job. Only then, a welder can be trusted enough to be sent to big industries and other concerned places with large-scale welding tasks.

Of course, it is possible to learn the basics of welding on your own, but it is still difficult to get a decent job right off the bat in a reputable company. Experimenting and learning on your own is more for enthusiasts and hobbyists, which is still interesting and useful.

Hobart Institute of Welding technology (HIWT) – The Best Welding School in USA overall

Located In: Troy, Ohio

Official Website: https://www.welding.org/

Contact: 1-800-332-9448

Hobart Institute of Welding Technology, commonly known as Hobart Welding School, is the most reliable and trustworthy institute when it comes to welding schools and colleges to get your welding certification in America. Since 1930, it has been producing the best welders. With this high popularity and world-class teaching, it has made it into the list of globally recognized welding schools.

For over 80 years, the quality of teaching is enhancing with new courses and a variety of training opportunities. The job placement rate is exceptional and the highest in the world. With an 84% placement rate, there can be zero doubts raised on the skills of welders graduating from Hobart Welding School.

Training Programs:

Hobart Welding School has over 20 welding training programs that will make you a skilled welder in the respective field and earn welding certification. The top-rated courses out of them are:

  • Combinational Structural and Pipe Welding program
  • Oxyacetylene Welding and Cutting
  • Shielded Metal Arc
  • Gas Tungsten Arc Welding
  • Gas Metal Arc Welding
  • Flux Cored Arc Welding

Each of these come with different time periods and fee to complete the course. The certain thing is that the graduates from each of these training courses get instant jobs in well-reputed companies and earn a lot.

What makes Hobart Welding School unique?

Hobart Welding School makes sure that the welders not only cram the books but also do enough practice to gain practical skills. Therefore, everything from reading and interpreting blueprints to practice weld repairs, preheating and post-heating treatments is included in these training courses.

Final thoughts

If you are really considering making welding your lifetime career, you should avail every chance to get into Hobart. Welding certification from Hobart Welding School is a guarantee of a bright future. With excellent reviews and a history of producing more than 10,000 skilled welders, Hobart Welding School is our number one choice when it comes to the top welding schools in America.

Tulsa Welding School – The Best Welding School in USA for solid bachelor welding programs

Located In: Tulsa, Oklahoma

Official Website: https://www.tws.edu/

Contact: (855) 237-7711

Since 1949, Tulsa has been preparing skilled welders who acquire the skills, knowledge, and attitude to move towards success in the welding industry. Tulsa Welding School is a big name in the welding industry as 88% of its program graduates are hired in world-renowned welding centers.

Tulsa Welding School ranks second in the list of top welding schools in America. It has three campuses: Tulsa, OK; Jacksonville, FL; and Houston, TX with Tulsa, OK being the main campus. However, you need to look into the programs offered at different campuses as all of them do not offer the same. One thing to remember is that all of them are going to virtually offer you a number of opportunities worldwide to expand your career

Training Programs

Tulsa Welding School is offering a number of undergraduate welding certificates which are recognized worldwide. The programs are centered on all the basic skills and qualifications you need to know in order to become a professional welder. The main training programs offered by Tulsa Welding School include:

  • Professional Welder Program
  • Professional Welder with Pipefitting
  • Associate of Occupational Studies in Welding Technology
  • Welding Specialist

Each of these programs has a different duration. Also, the areas of welding that are covered in each of these programs differ from each other. Some of these earn you diplomas while others are full-fledged bachelor’s degrees. You can get enrolled in the one that suits best to your interest.

What makes Tulsa Welding School unique?

Tulsa offers a more practical understanding than a theoretical one. It ensures that its graduates are best prepared for the challenges and risks that are faced at the workplace. Tulsa prepares you best to appear in a test for welder certification by the American Welding Society (AWS).

Final thought

If you are looking forward to being recognized as a professional welder by AWS and make your career brighter, Tulsa Welding School is the best option for you. Its four years bachelor’s degree is known all over the US and the graduates make their mark in the welding industry.

Lincoln Electric Welding School – The Best Welding School in USA for a variety of welding courses

Located In: Cleveland, Ohio

Official Website: https://www.lincolnelectric.com/en-za/education-center/welding-school/Pages/welding-school.aspx

Contact: 216-383-2259

Lincoln Electric Welding School is third on the list of top welding schools in America to get your welding certification. Since 1917, Lincoln Electric Welding School has been producing highly-skilled, experienced and professional welders. With highly qualified staff and the best teaching methodology, it has made it into the top welding schools in America.

With more than 90 years of dedication to the welding industry, the Lincoln Electric Welding School has become one of the top recommendations to get enrolled in for welding training programs. Their degrees and certifications are recognized worldwide. And so, a welding graduate from Lincoln Electric Welding School is sure to get a job in top welding companies.

Training Programs

Training Programs in Lincoln Electric Welding School are quite diverse yet covering all the basic skills of welding. Lincoln Electric offers traditional welding programs as well as modern welding programs that focus on one single area of welding rather than trying to make students learn everything in a single welding training program.

Some of their top rated welding training courses are:

  • Basic Plate and Sheet Metal Welding
  • Pipe Welding
  • Motorsports – Advanced Materials
  • Advanced Submerged Arc Welding
  • Lincoln Electric’s Comprehensive Welding program

Each of these programs has a different duration and you get welding certification at the end by Lincoln Electric Welding School.

What makes Lincoln Electric Welding School unique?

Lincoln Electric Welding School is top-rated as it links to Lincoln Electric, the name no one is unaware of in the welding industry. What makes it unique is that with a welding certification from Lincoln Electric Welding School, you are definitely going to get a job in Lincoln Electric if nowhere else.

Another thing that makes it unique is the wide variety of programs that help you find the niche you can practice your skills and perform best at. Once you find your niche, you are going to make a lot of money.

Final thoughts

Welding Certification from Lincoln Electric Welding School is going to take you to heights of success in the welding industry. So if you really want to be a professional welder in a specific niche, avail your chance to get into Lincoln Electric Welding School.

Ferris State University – The Best Welding School in US for largest welding engineering technology program

Located in: Big Rapids, Michigan

Official Website: http://www.ferris.edu/

Contact: 231-591-2000

Ferris State University is one of the best welding schools in Michigan. It comes with great advantages that are beneficial for the graduates throughout their education and career. It has highly qualified teachers and staff that master in teaching the complex welding skills and theoretical concepts.

Since 1984, Ferris State University has been offering its majors in welding programs by its School of Design and Manufacturing under College of Engineering technology which is one of the eight colleges of Ferris State University. Until now, there have been many revisions done to the program as per emerging trends in the welding industry.

Training Programs

The training programs that are offered at Ferris State University, Michigan are only two but both of them have great worth in the welding industry. The graduates from Ferris State University in any of these programs are bound to meet success in their careers. These two programs are:

  • A.A.S welding technology
  • B.S welding engineering technology

With high standards of teaching, Ferris State University ensures that the graduates are well prepared to take all the future tests and get certificates from the American Welding Society (AWS). Both of these majors help you gain a complete insight into welding, a theoretical as well as practical understanding.

What makes Ferris State University unique?

Ferris State University is the only university in America that offers the largest welding engineering technology program. The two different majors, welding technology and welding engineering are combined into one for the first time by Ferris State University. So if you want to excel in both the engineering and technological aspects of welding, look no further than Ferris State University, Michigan.

Final Thoughts

If you are looking for a complete major rather than a short duration training program, Ferris State University is the best choice. As the worth of degree is always higher than diplomas and certificates, you should think about getting yourself enrolled in the largest welding engineering technology program by Ferris State University. These four years of your educational life at Ferris State are going to turn you into a professional and skilled welder.

San Jacinto Community College – The Best Welding School in US in Texas State for welding certificates

Located In: Houston, Texas

Official Website: https://www.sanjac.edu/

Contact: 281-998-6150

San Jacinto Community College is one of the top welding schools in Texas. Over the years, it has produced a great number of graduates in welding majors and training programs. San Jacinto Community College is well-known for its high standards of teaching.

As welding industry is growing in Texas, there is an increased demand for professionals and skilled welders. Due to this rising trend, the inclination towards welding programs is increasing. For this purpose, San Jacinto Community College has initiated a number of welding training programs and courses that grant diplomas and degrees to the attendees.

The faculty at San Jacinto Community College ensures that the programs meet the needs and demands of the welding industry. With the best-equipped training facilities, students are allowed to explore the facets of welding with professional assistance. This helps them in practicing and furnishing their skills.

Training Programs

San Jacinto Community College offers five different welding certificate programs. Not only this, it offers an associate‘s degree in welding as well. The training programs are:

  • Occupational Certificate in Welding Stick Pipe
  • Occupation Certificate in Art Welding
  • Industrial Welder Certificate of Technology
  • Gas Shielded Welding Certificate of Technology
  • Combination Welder Certificate of Technology
  • Associate of Applied Science in Welding Technology

Each of the training programs has a different duration while an associate degree takes four years. Each of the programs has different areas students specialize in and then come out as welding specialists in respective areas.

What makes San Jacinto Community College unique?

San Jacinto Community College is the only welding college in Texas that comes with five different certifications in welding. This reason alone makes San Jacinto Community College unique. So if you are looking for a welding college in Texas State, San Jacinto Community College is the best welding college in Texas.

Final thoughts

San Jacinto Community College is a good option to consider when it comes to welding colleges. If you are applying to different welding schools and colleges, San Jacinto must be one of them. If you successfully get into San Jacinto Community College, you are going to become a professional welder in no time.

Bakersfield College – The Best Welding School in US in California State

Located In: Bakersfield, California

Official Website: https://www.bakersfieldcollege.edu/

Contact: 661-395-4011

Bakersfield College is one of the best welding schools in California. Since 1975 it has been producing skilled graduates in the field of welding. The welding industry is enriched with the welding graduates from Bakersfield College.

Bakersfield College has made it into the list of top welding schools as it meets the best possible standards of teaching. Not only this, it equally focuses on the theoretical and practical aspects of welding. It is equipped with all the necessary tools and assistance to help students explore their specific area of welding. It helps the student decide their niche and get further education accordingly.

The faculty at Bakersfield College excels in preparing the graduates for the welding certificated by the American Welding Society to expand their careers and enhance the chances of success.

Training Programs

Bakersfield College offers a number of welding training certification programs as well as a full-fledged associate degree in welding industrial technology. The majority of them are:

  • Welding Certificate of Achievement
  • Welding Certification Job Skills Certificate
  • Blueprint Reading and Layout for Welders Job Skills Certificate
  • Gas Metal Arc/Gas Tungsten Arc/Flux Core Arc Welding Job Skills Certificate
  • Shielded Metal Arc Welding Job Skills Certificate
  • Industrial Technology, Welding Option Associate in Science Degree

All of these different certifications and associate degrees meet the highest teaching standards. The graduates come out of the program highly skilled.

What makes Bakersfield College unique?

Bakersfield College is the only welding college in California that offers this wide range of certifications. This makes it easier to choose the one area of specialization you are most interested in and want to further enhance your skills.

Final thought

Therefore, if you are looking for the best welding school in California, Bakersfield College is the answer. These welding certificates from Bakersfield College are alone enough to get you a well-reputed designation in a well-known welding company. Choose any one of the above-mentioned training programs at Bakersfield College and a successful future in the welding industry awaits you!

The best welding schools in America – Frequently Asked Questions

As people are highly confused about which welding school/college to choose due to a large number of welding schools all over the USA, the following are some of the questions that are frequently asked. We have answered them to ease all your confusion and help you make a decision that proves to be best for your welding career.

What type of certifications are received at the completion of these courses?

By the end of these courses, you receive certifications and degrees that are recognized by the American Welding Society (AWS). However, some of the courses come with diplomas that make you eligible for giving the welding tests conducted by AWS to get AWS certificates.

Are there any prerequisites to take a welding training program?

Yes, there are several prerequisites for each of the welding training programs. One thing to remember is that different welding schools have different prerequisites for their training programs therefore, you need to look at their official websites to know the details.

What factors are most important in choosing the best welding school?

There are several factors that contribute to choosing the best welding school to get your welding certification and degree. The most important is: if the school has the respective field you want to get training in, the teaching standards of the welding school are high, the fee is affordable, and that you are well with the offered duration of the course.

Does the job placement percentage of a certain welding school matter?

Yes, the job placement percentage of a welding school matters. If the welding school is well-reputed, there are more chances of getting a job sooner. However, the rest depends on your skills and qualities that are actual parameters of your potential and performance in the field and industry. With low skills, the job placement percentage of your welding school is of no significance.

How long does it take to become a professional welder?

It depends on the duration of your course. Also, it depends on how many courses you need to take to gain a deep insight into the field. A professional welder is rich in experience. As your experience keeps growing, so does your professionalism.

Conclusion

To sum it up, there are several welding schools in America that offer a number of welding certifications and degrees. We have listed the top 6 welding schools in America as well as the best welding schools in Texas, Michigan, and California for you. Each comes with its own special training programs and certifications. As welding is a broad field, it has numerous subfields you can specialize in. If one subfield lets you have a broader understanding of welding engineering, the other offers a wide area of knowledge in arc cuttings and pipe welding. Moreover, the welding technology field is also emerging and different welding schools are offering certificates, diplomas, and degrees in it. Choosing one of these depends on you. Make sure you choose the one according to your interests and skills. Surely that will take you upon the pathway of success in the welding industry.

If you are ready to become a welder, check out this post listing 69 welder sayings you have not heard before