What Are the Best Welding Schools in Sacramento?
American River College (ARC) leads welding schools in Sacramento, with 105 welding certificates and 11 associate degrees conferred in 2024–25 and California resident tuition of $1,288 a year. Its Welding Technology program covers SMAW, GMAW, FCAW, and GTAW, plus materials, procedures, safety, and blueprint reading. Sierra College in Rocklin offers an associate degree and certificates.
Sacramento Welding Programs Compared
Both colleges are close to Arden-Arcade; they differ mainly in size and credential options.
ARC
An Associate in Science and certificates in Welding Technology, with all four major processes in the curriculum.
Sierra College, Rocklin
An associate degree, a certificate of achievement, and skills certificates in commercial and industrial welding. 2024–25 tuition and fees: $1,446 a year.
Mostly Short Certificates
Nearly all of American River's 105 welding certificates in 2024–25 were in the federal '12 weeks to under one year' category.
Completion
American River's college-wide completion rate was 37% and Sierra's 42% (fall 2021 cohort).
Welding Schools in Sacramento by the Numbers
| College | Tuition | Certificates | Associate | Completion |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| American River College | $1,288in-state | 105 | 11 | 37% |
| Sierra College | $1,446all students | 7 | 0 | 42% |
Tuition and fees for a full-time year and welding credentials conferred, both 2024–25; completion is the college-wide federal graduation rate. Source: NCES College Navigator, retrieved September 24, 2026. Blank cells mean the college reports no figure for that field.
Welding Programs in Sacramento
Tuition on each card is the lowest 2024–25 full-time resident rate at these welding schools in Sacramento and Arden-Arcade.
American River College, Sacramento, California
Offers an associate degree and 7 certificates in welding
- Tuition / year
- $1,288 in-state, 2024–25
- Welding awards
- 116 conferred 2024–25
Teaches Stick · MIG · TIG · Flux-cored · Pipe · Cutting
Sierra College, Rocklin, California
Offers an associate degree and 7 certificates in welding
- Tuition / year
- $1,446 all students, 2024–25
- Welding awards
- 7 conferred 2024–25
Teaches Stick · MIG · TIG · Flux-cored · Pipe · Cutting
Welding Classes in Sacramento: Which to Choose
Among welding schools near Arden-Arcade, ARC is the closest and busiest program, and its short certificates are the fastest way in. Sierra College suits students north of the city or anyone who wants a smaller program. Both charge California residents less than $1,500 a year in tuition and fees, and both prepare students for AWS certification tests.
Welder Salary in California
Annual wages for welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers across California (26,060 jobs; U.S. median $53,750). Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025.
Sacramento Welding FAQ
How Much Does Welding School Cost in Sacramento?
ARC's 2024–25 in-state tuition and fees were $1,288 a year, with books estimated at $1,152.
How Much Do Welders Make in California?
The California median is $58,060 a year (BLS, May 2025).
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Guides, Careers and Pay
Sources
Reviewed September 24, 2026.