What Are the Best Welding Schools in Idaho?
- College of Southern Idaho (Twin Falls) offers Welding Technology, Associate of Applied Science and Welding Technology, Intermediate Technical Certificate.
- College of Western Idaho (Nampa) offers Welding & Metals Fabrication – Associate of Applied Science Degree and Welding & Metals Fabrication – Intermediate Technical Certificate.
- College of Eastern Idaho (Idaho Falls) offers Associate of Applied Science (AAS) and Advanced Technical Certificate (ATC).
- Resident tuition and fees run from $3,360 to $8,610 a year (2024–25).
- Idaho welders earn a median $50,530 a year (BLS, May 2025).
College of Southern Idaho Leads the Idaho Welding School Rankings
| # | College | Tuition and fees | Welding awards | Graduation rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | College of Southern IdahoTwin Falls | $3,360 | 23 certificates, 11 associate | 33% |
| 2 | College of Western IdahoNampa | $3,446 | 61 certificates, 14 associate | 31% |
| 3 | College of Eastern IdahoIdaho Falls | $3,390 | 12 certificates, 4 associate | 39% |
| 4 | Idaho State UniversityPocatello | $8,610 | 45 certificates, 2 associate | 39% |
| 5 | Lewis-Clark State CollegeLewiston | $7,610 | 3 certificates, 6 associate | 40% |
| 6 | North Idaho CollegeRathdrum | $3,396 | 7 certificates, 4 associate | 38% |
| 7 | Brigham Young University-IdahoRexburg | $4,800 | 1 associate | 55% |
Welding programs in Idaho, ranked by the method below. Tuition is the 2024–25 full-time resident rate and graduation rate is college-wide (NCES College Navigator). Welding awards are credentials conferred in welding (IPEDS). Blank cells mean no federal figure for that college.
How We Ranked Idaho Welding Schools
Each Idaho college with a verified, current welding program page gets a percentile score among its in-state peers: program size (35%, welding awards conferred), cost (25%, lowest resident tuition and fees for 2024–25), completion (25%, college-wide graduation rate) and credential ladder (15%, both certificates and associate degrees awarded). Federal data can't measure instructors or equipment, so visit the shop before you enroll.
Best Welding Schools in Idaho by Goal: Top Ranked, Lowest Tuition, Most Welding Awards and Highest Completion
Welding Schools in Idaho, College by College
1College of Southern Idaho, Twin Falls, Idaho
Offers an associate degree and 2 certificates in welding
- Tuition / year
- $3,360 in-district, 2024–25
- Welding awards
- 34 conferred 2024–25
2College of Western Idaho, Nampa, Idaho
Offers an associate degree and 2 certificates in welding
- Tuition / year
- $3,446 in-district, 2024–25
- Welding awards
- 75 conferred 2024–25
Teaches Stick · MIG · TIG · Flux-cored · Fabrication
3College of Eastern Idaho, Idaho Falls, Idaho
Offers an associate degree and 2 certificates in welding
- Tuition / year
- $3,390 in-district, 2024–25
- Welding awards
- 16 conferred 2024–25
Teaches Stick · MIG · TIG · Flux-cored · Pipe · Cutting
4Idaho State University, Pocatello, Idaho
Offers an associate degree and 3 certificates in welding
- Tuition / year
- $8,610 in-state, 2024–25
- Welding awards
- 47 conferred 2024–25
Teaches Stick · MIG · Flux-cored · Pipe · Fabrication
5Lewis-Clark State College, Lewiston, Idaho
Offers an associate degree and 2 certificates in welding
- Tuition / year
- $7,610 in-state, 2024–25
- Welding awards
- 9 conferred 2024–25
Teaches Stick · MIG · TIG · Flux-cored · Pipe · Cutting
6North Idaho College, Rathdrum, Idaho
Offers an associate degree and one other award in welding
- Tuition / year
- $3,396 in-district, 2024–25
- Welding awards
- 11 conferred 2024–25
Teaches Stick · MIG · TIG · Cutting · Fabrication
7Brigham Young University-Idaho, Rexburg, Idaho
Offers an associate degree and 2 other awards in welding
- Tuition / year
- $4,800 all students, 2024–25
- Welding awards
- 1 conferred 2024–25
Teaches Stick · MIG · TIG · Flux-cored · Fabrication · Inspection
Tuition and welding awards: NCES College Navigator, 2024–25. Programs and processes: each school's own welding page, reviewed September 2026.
Welding Classes in Idaho: When Programs Meet
Schedules as each college publishes them. Ask about evening sections and start dates before you apply.
- Idaho State UniversityTypical classroom hours Monday-Friday 7:00 a.m.-1:30 p.m. OR Monday-Thursday 12:00 p.m.-8:30 p.m.; accepts students in August and January; admits 45 students each year.
- College of Eastern IdahoAbout two hours per day in the classroom and four and a half hours per day of hands-on training; AAS/ATC are 4 semesters, ITC 2 semesters.
What Welding School Costs in Idaho: $3,360 to $8,610 a Year
Among the 7 Idaho welding schools with federal figures, 2024–25 tuition and fees for a full-time year range from $3,360 at College of Southern Idaho to $8,610 at Idaho State University. Community colleges publish their in-district rate; students from outside the district or state pay more.
| School | City | Tuition and fees, 2024–25 |
|---|---|---|
| College of Southern Idaho | Twin Falls | $3,360 (in-district) |
| College of Eastern Idaho | Idaho Falls | $3,390 (in-district) |
| North Idaho College | Rathdrum | $3,396 (in-district) |
| College of Western Idaho | Nampa | $3,446 (in-district) |
| Brigham Young University-Idaho | Rexburg | $4,800 (all students) |
| Lewis-Clark State College | Lewiston | $7,610 (in-state) |
The six lowest rates. Source: NCES College Navigator.
Welder Salary in Idaho: The Pocatello Area Pays the Most
| Metro area | Median pay | Top 10% earn more than | Welding jobs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pocatello | $58,140 | $61,580 | 180 |
| Lewiston | $55,890 | $63,940 | 210 |
| Coeur d'Alene | $51,510 | $62,240 | 230 |
| Idaho Falls | $50,770 | $80,040 | 170 |
| Boise City | $50,240 | $71,930 | 1,400 |
| Logan | $48,920 | $62,590 | 350 |
| Twin Falls | $45,550 | $68,690 | 290 |
Welder salary: annual wages for welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers in Idaho (3,300 jobs); U.S. median $53,750. Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025.
Welding Schools by City in Idaho
Welding Schools in Idaho: FAQ
How Much Do Welding Schools in Idaho Cost?
Full-time tuition and fees for 2024–25 at the Idaho colleges on this page run from $3,360 to $8,610 for residents, before books, tools and protective gear.
How Long Does It Take to Become a Welder in Idaho?
Idaho programs publish awards from short certificates to associate degrees. For example, College of Western Idaho lists Welding & Metals Fabrication – Associate of Applied Science Degree (65 credit hours) and Welding & Metals Fabrication – Intermediate Technical Certificate (50 credit hours); Idaho State University lists Welder-Fitter Associate of Applied Science (2 years) (73 credit hours); North Idaho College lists Welding Technology AAS (62-64 credit hours).
How Much Do Welders Make in Idaho?
BLS estimates a median of $50,530 a year for welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers in Idaho (May 2025), across 3,300 jobs. The lowest-paid 10% earn under $40,370 and the top 10% earn more than $70,790.
What Is the Best Welding School in Idaho?
On federal data for program size, cost and completion, College of Southern Idaho ranks first among Idaho colleges with verified welding programs, followed by College of Western Idaho. The best fit depends on the credential you want and the campus you can reach.
How Many Welding Schools Are in Idaho?
7 schools have a current welding program in Idaho, each checked against the school's own program page, and 7 offer an associate degree.
What Is the Most Affordable Welding School in Idaho?
College of Southern Idaho had the lowest 2024–25 tuition and fees among Idaho welding schools with federal figures: $3,360 for a full-time year (in-district). College of Eastern Idaho ($3,390) and North Idaho College ($3,396) follow.
Which Idaho Welding Schools Offer an Associate Degree?
Brigham Young University-Idaho, College of Eastern Idaho and College of Southern Idaho and 4 more offer a welding associate degree, usually alongside shorter certificates.
Where Can You Test for AWS Certification in Idaho?
Brigham Young University-Idaho, College of Eastern Idaho and College of Western Idaho and 2 other schools describe American Welding Society (AWS) testing or certification on their program pages. Each profile shows what the school offers.
Do I Need a Certification to Work as a Welder?
Many employers test welders on their own procedure before hiring. The American Welding Society's Certified Welder program is a performance test with no education or experience prerequisites, taken at an AWS Accredited Test Facility.
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More on Welding in Idaho
Sources
- Official welding program pages of the 7 Idaho colleges above (each college name links to its page), reviewed September 2026.
- U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS completions 2022–23 and College Navigator.
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025.
- American Welding Society, Certified Welder program.