Which Welding Schools Near Placerville Should You Compare?
The two welding schools near Placerville are Sierra College in Rocklin and American River College (ARC) in Sacramento. Sierra offers an associate degree, a certificate of achievement, and skills certificates for $1,446 a year; American River runs a larger program, with 105 welding certificates conferred in 2024–25, at $1,288 a year.
El Dorado County Welding Programs Compared
Both are community colleges with low resident tuition; the main differences are size and where you'll drive.
Sierra College, Rocklin
Commercial and industrial welding and fabrication, with an associate degree, a certificate of achievement, and skills certificates in its 2026–27 catalog.
ARC, Sacramento
A Welding Technology AS and certificates covering SMAW, GMAW, FCAW, and GTAW.
Books and Supplies
Sierra estimates $1,792 a year for books and supplies; American River $1,152.
Completion
Both colleges report college-wide completion rates around 40%: 42% at Sierra and 37% at American River.
Welding Schools Near Placerville by the Numbers
| College | Tuition | Certificates | Associate | Completion |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sierra College | $1,446all students | 7 | 0 | 42% |
| American River College | $1,288in-state | 105 | 11 | 37% |
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 Near Placerville
Tuition on each card is the lowest 2024–25 full-time resident rate at these welding schools near Placerville.
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
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
Welding Classes Near Placerville: How to Decide
Pick the campus you can reach on lab days. American River's larger program usually means more section times; Sierra's smaller program can mean more attention. Either one prepares you for employer and AWS weld tests, and both are close enough to serve El Dorado County welding students.
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.
Placerville Welding FAQ
How Much Does Welding School Cost Near Placerville?
Sierra College's 2024–25 tuition and fees were $1,446 a year and ARC's $1,288 in-state (NCES College Navigator).
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Sources
Reviewed September 24, 2026.