Where Can You Take Welding Classes in Chicago After Work?
- Night or weekend sections: ETI School of Skilled Trades and College of DuPage.
- Morton College in Cicero, 4 miles away, offers Advanced Welding (AWLD) and Pipe Welding (PWLD).
- City Colleges of Chicago-Kennedy-King College in Chicago, 5 miles away, awarded 7 certificates in welding in 2022–23.
- Lincoln College of Technology-Melrose Park in Melrose Park, 9 miles away, offers Welding and Fabrication Technology with Pipe.
- Welding classes in Chicago: 2 of these welding schools publish evening or weekend sections.
- Welder pay in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area: a median $52,650 a year (BLS, May 2025).
Welding Classes in Chicago: 2 Colleges Teach Evenings or Weekends
- Morton CollegeFlexible scheduling and stackable credentials (no specific times stated).
- Lincoln College of Technology-Melrose ParkEight courses spanning 960 hours of training.
- 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.
- ETI School of Skilled TradesDay and evening classes; can be completed in as little as seven months.
- College of DuPageThe program offers instruction during day, evening and Saturday classes; AAS 4 semesters, certificates 2-4 semesters.
Compare Welding Programs Near Chicago
| College | Distance | Tuition and fees | Welding awards | Graduation rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Morton CollegeCicero | 4 miles | $5,502 | 16 certificates | 31% |
| City Colleges of Chicago-Kennedy-King CollegeChicago | 5 miles | 7 certificates | ||
| Lincoln College of Technology-Melrose ParkMelrose Park | 9 miles | 56 certificates | ||
| Triton CollegeRiver Grove | 10 miles | $5,070 | 61 certificates | 29% |
| Moraine Valley Community CollegePalos Hills | 13 miles | $3,822 | 128 certificates | 40% |
| ETI School of Skilled TradesWillowbrook | 14 miles | 109 certificates | ||
| College of DuPageGlen Ellyn | 20 miles | $4,560 | 32 certificates, 9 associate | 25% |
| Prairie State CollegeChicago Heights | 22 miles | 8 certificates |
Welding programs near Chicago, 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.
Best Welding Schools in Chicago for What You Need
Welding Schools in Chicago: Moraine Valley Community College and 5 Others
Moraine Valley Community College, Palos Hills, Illinois
Offers 6 certificates in welding
- Tuition / year
- $3,822 in-district, 2024–25
- Welding awards
- 128 conferred 2024–25
Teaches Stick · MIG · TIG · Pipe · Cutting · Fabrication
ETI School of Skilled Trades, Willowbrook, Illinois
Offers one other award in welding
- Welding awards offered
- 1 certificates and degrees
- Welding awards
- 109 conferred 2024–25
Teaches Stick · MIG · TIG · Flux-cored · Cutting · Fabrication
College of DuPage, Glen Ellyn, Illinois
Offers an associate degree and 3 certificates in welding
- Tuition / year
- $4,560 in-district, 2024–25
- Welding awards
- 41 conferred 2024–25
A degree option on top of certificates.
Teaches Stick · MIG · TIG · Flux-cored · Cutting · Fabrication
Lincoln College of Technology-Melrose Park, Melrose Park, Illinois
Offers one other award in welding
- Welding awards offered
- 1 certificates and degrees
- Welding awards
- 56 conferred 2024–25
Teaches Stick · MIG · TIG · Flux-cored · Pipe · Cutting
Triton College, River Grove, Illinois
Offers 3 certificates in welding
- Tuition / year
- $5,070 in-district, 2024–25
- Welding awards
- 61 conferred 2024–25
Teaches MIG · TIG · Fabrication · Robotic
Morton College, Cicero, Illinois
Offers 5 certificates in welding
- Tuition / year
- $5,502 in-district, 2024–25
- Welding awards
- 16 conferred 2024–25
Teaches Stick · MIG · TIG · Pipe · Cutting · 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 Chicago.
Certificate or Associate Degree Near Chicago?
Morton College, Lincoln College of Technology-Melrose Park and Triton College offer certificates only; College of DuPage also awards a welding associate degree, which adds general education and takes about two years full time.
- Morton CollegeAdvanced Welding (AWLD): 38-40 credit hours; Pipe Welding (PWLD): 25 credit hours; Multi-Process Welding (MWP): 22 credit hours
- Lincoln College of Technology-Melrose ParkWelding and Fabrication Technology with Pipe: 960 clock hours
- Triton CollegeEngineering Technology / Welding Fabrication - Certificate: 16 credit hours; Engineering Technology / Robotics Welding - Certificate: 22 credit hours; Engineering Technology / Illinois Aligned Basic Welding - Certificate: 11 credit hours
- Moraine Valley Community CollegeWelding, Advanced Certificate: 33 credit hours; Welding Combination Certificate: 26 credit hours; Pipe Welding Certificate: 18 credit hours
- ETI School of Skilled TradesSkilled Welder Program: 906 clock hours
- College of DuPageWelding Technology, A.A.S.: 64-66 credit hours; Welding, Certificate: 29 credit hours; AWS Sense 1, Certificate: 17 credit hours
Welder Pay Around Chicago
Welder pay: annual wages for welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area (9,320 jobs); U.S. median $53,750. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025.
Questions About Welding Schools in Chicago
How Much Do Welding Schools in Chicago Cost?
Moraine Valley Community College charges the least, $3,822 a year for full-time residents in 2024-2025; Morton College charges $5,502. Books, tools and protective gear cost extra (Moraine Valley Community College budgets $1,632 for books and supplies).
How Long Does Welding School Take Near Chicago?
Morton College lists Advanced Welding (AWLD) (38-40 credit hours) and Pipe Welding (PWLD) (25 credit hours), Lincoln College of Technology-Melrose Park lists Welding and Fabrication Technology with Pipe (960 clock hours) and Triton College lists Engineering Technology / Welding Fabrication - Certificate (16 credit hours) and Engineering Technology / Robotics Welding - Certificate (22 credit hours).
How Much Do Welders Make in Chicago?
Welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area earn a median $52,650 a year (BLS, May 2025), 2% below the U.S. median of $53,750. The top 10% earn more than $74,450.
What Is the Best Welding School Near Chicago?
Moraine Valley Community College scores highest on program size, cost and completion among the welding schools within 60 miles, with 128 welding awards in 2024-2025. ETI School of Skilled Trades ranks second.
Are There Night Welding Classes Near Chicago?
Yes. ETI School of Skilled Trades and College of DuPage publish evening or weekend sections: Day and evening classes; can be completed in as little as seven months.
Welding Programs Near Chicago but Farther Out
- Universal Technical Institute of Illinois Inc, Lisle22 miles
- William Rainey Harper College, Palatine26 miles
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Guides, Careers and Pay
Sources
- Official welding program pages of the 6 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.