Is There a Welding School in Mena?
- University of Arkansas Community College Rich Mountain in Mena, 1 miles away, offers Associate of Applied Science Advanced Manufacturing - Welding and Technical Certificate - Welding.
- Cossatot Community College of the University of Arkansas in De Queen, 38 miles away, offers Associate of Applied Science in General Technology - General and Pipe Welding Pathway and Technical Certificate of Welding Technology.
- University of Arkansas-Fort Smith in Fort Smith, 56 miles away, offers Associate of Applied Science in General Technology - Welding and Technical Certificate in Welding.
- Welding classes in Mena: 1 of these welding schools publish their class schedules below.
- Welder pay in Arkansas: a median $47,970 a year (BLS, May 2025).
Best Welding Schools in Mena for What You Need
Welding Schools in Mena and the Surrounding Area
University of Arkansas Community College Rich Mountain, Mena, Arkansas
Offers an associate degree and 3 certificates in welding
- Tuition / year
- $3,696 in-district, 2024–25
- Welding awards
- 48 conferred 2024–25
The closest campus to Mena; the lowest resident tuition of the 3 welding schools here ($3,696); the highest college-wide graduation rate here (55%).
Teaches MIG · TIG · Cutting · Fabrication
Cossatot Community College of the University of Arkansas, De Queen, Arkansas
Offers an associate degree and 9 certificates in welding
- Tuition / year
- $4,200 in-district, 2024–25
- Welding awards
- 141 conferred 2024–25
The most welding awards nearby (141 in 2024-2025).
Teaches Stick · MIG · TIG · Flux-cored · Pipe · Cutting
University of Arkansas-Fort Smith, Fort Smith, Arkansas
Offers an associate degree and 5 certificates in welding
- Tuition / year
- $7,334 in-state, 2024–25
- Welding awards
- 47 conferred 2024–25
Teaches Stick · MIG · TIG · Fabrication
Tuition and welding awards: NCES College Navigator, 2024–25. Programs and processes: each school's own welding page, reviewed September 2026. Distances are straight-line from Mena.
University of Arkansas Community College Rich Mountain and 2 More Programs Within 60 Miles
| College | Distance | Tuition and fees | Welding awards | Graduation rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Arkansas Community College Rich MountainMena | 1 miles | $3,696 | 48 certificates | 55% |
| Cossatot Community College of the University of ArkansasDe Queen | 38 miles | $4,200 | 141 certificates | 54% |
| University of Arkansas-Fort SmithFort Smith | 56 miles | $7,334 | 47 certificates | 38% |
Welding programs near Mena, sorted by straight-line distance. Tuition: 2024–25 full-time resident rate. Awards: welding credentials conferred (IPEDS, via NCES College Navigator). Graduation rate is college-wide. Blank cells have no federal figure.
Welding Classes in Mena: When Programs Meet
- Cossatot Community College of the University of ArkansasCertificates of Proficiency are one semester in duration.
Welding Degrees Near Mena
- University of Arkansas Community College Rich MountainAssociate of Applied Science Advanced Manufacturing - Welding: 60 credit hours; Technical Certificate - Welding: 25 credit hours; Certificate of Proficiency - Welding (Basic Welding): 14 credit hours
- Cossatot Community College of the University of ArkansasAssociate of Applied Science in General Technology - General and Pipe Welding Pathway: 72 credit hours; Technical Certificate of Welding Technology: 30 credit hours; Certificate of Proficiency: SMAW Welding: 12 credit hours
- University of Arkansas-Fort SmithTechnical Certificate in Welding: 32 credit hours; Certificate of Proficiency - Arc Welding: 12 credit hours; Certificate of Proficiency - MIG Welding: 12 credit hours
Welder Pay in Arkansas
Welder pay: annual wages for welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers in Arkansas (6,150 jobs); U.S. median $53,750. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025.
Questions About Welding Schools in Mena
How Much Do Welding Schools in Mena Cost?
University of Arkansas Community College Rich Mountain charges the least, $3,696 a year for full-time residents in 2024-2025; University of Arkansas-Fort Smith charges $7,334. Books, tools and protective gear cost extra (University of Arkansas Community College Rich Mountain budgets $960 for books and supplies).
How Long Does Welding School Take Near Mena?
University of Arkansas Community College Rich Mountain lists Associate of Applied Science Advanced Manufacturing - Welding (60 credit hours) and Technical Certificate - Welding (25 credit hours), Cossatot Community College of the University of Arkansas lists Associate of Applied Science in General Technology - General and Pipe Welding Pathway (72 credit hours) and Technical Certificate of Welding Technology (30 credit hours) and University of Arkansas-Fort Smith lists Technical Certificate in Welding (32 credit hours) and Certificate of Proficiency - Arc Welding (12 credit hours).
How Much Do Welders Make in Mena?
Welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers in Arkansas earn a median $47,970 a year (BLS, May 2025), 11% below the U.S. median of $53,750. The top 10% earn more than $62,830.
What Is the Best Welding School Near Mena?
University of Arkansas Community College Rich Mountain scores highest on program size, cost and completion among the welding schools within 60 miles, with 48 welding awards in 2024-2025. Cossatot Community College of the University of Arkansas ranks second.
Welding Programs Near Mena but Farther Out
- National Park College, Hot Springs64 miles
- Arkansas Tech University, Ozark67 miles
- University of Arkansas Hope-Texarkana, Hope75 miles
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Guides, Careers and Pay
Sources
- Official welding program pages of the 3 welding schools above (each college name links to its page), reviewed September 2026.
- U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS completions and College Navigator.
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025.
