Best Welding Schools in Illinois

William Rainey Harper College Leads the Illinois Welding School Rankings

Welding programs in Illinois, 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.

Best Welding Schools in Illinois by Goal: Top Ranked, Lowest Tuition, Most Welding Awards, Working Adults and Highest Completion

Welding Programs in Illinois Near South Elgin, Chicago and Rockford

Welding classes in Illinois are easiest to keep up with at a campus you can reach on lab days, so start with the city you can commute from. Each program is grouped with the nearest city guide within 45 miles.

• South ElginUniversal Technical Institute of Illinois Inc, William Rainey Harper College, Joliet Junior College, Waubonsee Community College, Elgin Community College and College of DuPage
• ChicagoETI School of Skilled Trades, Moraine Valley Community College, Lincoln College of Technology-Melrose Park, Triton College and Morton College
• RockfordSauk Valley Community College, Rock Valley College, Stautzenberger College-Rockford Career College, Highland Community College and Kishwaukee College
• HerrinRend Lake College, Shawnee Community College, John A Logan College and Southeastern Illinois College
• BellevilleSouthwestern Illinois College, Lewis and Clark Community College and Kaskaskia College
• East PeoriaHeartland Community College, Illinois Central College and Spoon River College
• SpringfieldMidwest Technical Institute-Illinois, Lincoln Land Community College and Richland Community College
• EffinghamLake Land College and Olney Central College

Welding Schools in Illinois, College by College

Tuition and welding awards: NCES College Navigator, 2024–25. Programs and processes: each school's own welding page, reviewed September 2026.

Welding Classes in Illinois: 9 Programs Teach Nights or Weekends

Schedules as each college publishes them. Ask about evening sections and start dates before you apply.

• Midwest Technical Institute-IllinoisDaytime and evening classes available; class schedules vary by campus. Upcoming start date listed as October 26th, 2026.
• Rend Lake CollegeOffered with the At My Pace (A.M.P.) model, where students advance based on mastery rather than the calendar.
• Southwestern Illinois CollegeDay and evening classes; day students typically attend four or five days a week, night students two or three nights a week. Lab open 5-6 days a week.
• Lewis and Clark Community CollegeClasses offered both in a traditional scheduled format and through Competency-Based Education (CBE), where students work at their own pace.
• Lincoln Land Community CollegeBasic and SMAW certificates 8-16 weeks; Intermediate 16 weeks in one semester; Advanced 32 weeks over two semesters (fall, spring).
• Universal Technical Institute of Illinois IncDesigned to be completed in 9-10 months.
• ETI School of Skilled TradesDay and evening classes; can be completed in as little as seven months.
• Heartland Community CollegeWelding classes are in-person, offered morning, afternoon and evening in 8-week and 16-week formats; certificate completion time 12 months / 2 semesters.
• Moraine Valley Community CollegeAdvanced Certificate designed to be completed in about three semesters; Multi-Process and SMAW certificates in about one year. Approved for dual enrollment.
• William Rainey Harper CollegeAn entirely 8-week course format option is offered; apprenticeship option also listed.
• Illinois Central CollegeAAS: 24 months / 4 semesters full time; Specialist: 12 months / 2 semesters; Operator: 6 months / 1 semester. Part-time plans via advisors.
• Shawnee Community CollegeMost welding courses are delivered in the competency-based education (CBE) modality, except OSHA for general industry.

More Welding Programs in Illinois: Colleges That Award Welding Credentials

Welding credentials each college conferred in 2022–23 (IPEDS). Confirm current program details with each college.

• Prairie State College, Chicago Heights8
• City Colleges of Chicago-Kennedy-King College, Chicago7

What Welding School Costs in Illinois: $3,252 to $16,699 a Year

Among the 35 Illinois welding schools with federal figures, 2024–25 tuition and fees for a full-time year range from $3,252 at Elgin Community College to $16,699 at Stautzenberger College-Rockford Career College. Community colleges publish their in-district rate; students from outside the district or state pay more. See the Welding School Cost in Illinois guide for books, program length and how to cut costs.

The six lowest rates. Source: NCES College Navigator.

Welder Salary in Illinois: The Peoria Area Pays the Most

For pay by metro area and by welding job, see Welder Salary in Illinois.

Welder salary: annual wages for welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers in Illinois (16,260 jobs); U.S. median $53,750. Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025.

Welding Schools by City in Illinois

• Rockford
• Peoria
• Springfield
• Belleville
• O'Fallon
• Galesburg
• Collinsville
• South Elgin
• East Peoria
• Grayslake
• Cahokia Heights
• Swansea
• Antioch
• Chatham
• Shiloh
• Lincoln
• Herrin
• Streator
• Effingham
• Kewanee
• Highland
• Chicago
• Champaign
• Elgin
• Waukegan
• Decatur
• Deerfield
• Fairview Heights
• Wonder Lake
• Opdyke
• Union
• Rochelle

Welding Schools in Illinois: FAQ

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