Is There a Welding School in Galesburg?
- Carl Sandburg College in Galesburg, 3 miles away, offers Welding AAS and Advanced welding certificate.
- Spoon River College in Canton, 33 miles away, offers Welding Operator Certificate and Welding, Advanced Certificate.
- Black Hawk College in Moline, 37 miles away, offers College Credit Certificate in Welding and College Credit Certificate in Shielded Metal Arc Welding.
- Welding classes in Galesburg: 2 of these welding schools publish evening or weekend sections.
- Welder pay in Illinois: a median $51,320 a year (BLS, May 2025).
Best Welding Schools in Galesburg for What You Need
Welding Schools in Galesburg and the Surrounding Area
Carl Sandburg College, Galesburg, Illinois
Offers an associate degree and 2 certificates in welding
- Tuition / year
- $5,390 in-district, 2024–25
- Welding awards
- 13 conferred 2024–25
The closest campus to Galesburg; the highest college-wide graduation rate here (50%); a degree option on top of certificates.
Teaches Stick · MIG · TIG · Flux-cored · Cutting · Fabrication
Spoon River College, Canton, Illinois
Offers 2 certificates in welding
- Tuition / year
- $6,090 in-district, 2024–25
- Welding awards
- 61 conferred 2024–25
Teaches Stick · MIG · TIG
Black Hawk College, Moline, Illinois
Offers 3 certificates and one other award in welding
- Tuition / year
- $4,920 in-district, 2024–25
- Welding awards
- 17 conferred 2024–25
Teaches Stick · MIG · TIG · Cutting · Fabrication
Eastern Iowa Community College District, Davenport, Iowa
Offers a diploma and 2 certificates in welding
- Tuition / year
- $4,848 in-state, 2024–25
- Welding awards
- 104 conferred 2024–25
Evening or weekend sections.
Teaches Stick · MIG · TIG · Flux-cored · Cutting · Fabrication
Southeastern Community College, West Burlington, Iowa
Offers an associate degree, a diploma and 3 certificates in welding
- Tuition / year
- $6,420 in-state, 2024–25
- Welding awards
- 53 conferred 2024–25
Evening or weekend sections; a degree option on top of certificates.
Teaches Stick · MIG · TIG · Flux-cored · Pipe · Cutting
Illinois Central College, East Peoria, Illinois
Offers an associate degree and 2 certificates in welding
- Tuition / year
- $4,800 in-district, 2024–25
- Welding awards
- 132 conferred 2024–25
The lowest resident tuition of the 6 welding schools here ($4,800); the most welding awards nearby (132 in 2024-2025); a degree option on top of certificates.
Teaches Stick · MIG · TIG · Cutting
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 Galesburg.
Carl Sandburg College and 5 More Programs Within 60 Miles
| College | Distance | Tuition and fees | Welding awards | Graduation rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carl Sandburg CollegeGalesburg | 3 miles | $5,390 | 9 certificates, 4 associate | 50% |
| Spoon River CollegeCanton | 33 miles | $6,090 | 61 certificates | 42% |
| Black Hawk CollegeMoline | 37 miles | $4,920 | 17 certificates | 40% |
| Eastern Iowa Community College DistrictDavenport, IA | 41 miles | $4,848 | 104 certificates | 45% |
| Southeastern Community CollegeWest Burlington, IA | 43 miles | $6,420 | 48 certificates, 5 associate | 43% |
| Illinois Central CollegeEast Peoria | 48 miles | $4,800 | 129 certificates, 3 associate | 49% |
Welding programs near Galesburg, 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.
Welding Classes in Galesburg: 2 Colleges Teach Evenings or Weekends
- Carl Sandburg CollegeSample schedule: 16-week fall semester with weekday welding labs 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. and 1-2:30 p.m.; online and face-to-face class options.
- Black Hawk CollegeCredit certificate on-campus; short-term non-credit classes are 140 hours (Stick class within six weeks), start dates vary.
- Eastern Iowa Community College DistrictDay and night classes; summer welding certificate in 8 weeks.
- Southeastern Community CollegeClasses run in the morning, afternoon and evening.
- Illinois Central CollegeAAS: 24 months / 4 semesters full time; Specialist: 12 months / 2 semesters; Operator: 6 months / 1 semester. Part-time plans via advisors.
Certificate or Associate Degree Near Galesburg?
Spoon River College, Black Hawk College and Eastern Iowa Community College District offer certificates only; Carl Sandburg College, Southeastern Community College and Illinois Central College also award a welding associate degree, which adds general education and takes about two years full time.
- Spoon River CollegeWelding Operator Certificate: 8 credit hours; Welding, Advanced Certificate: 16 credit hours
- Black Hawk CollegeCollege Credit Certificate in Welding: 31 credit hours; College Credit Certificate in Shielded Metal Arc Welding: 17 credit hours; College Credit Certificate in Gas Metal Arc Welding: 14 credit hours
- Eastern Iowa Community College DistrictWelder, Diploma: 32 credit hours; Fundamental Welding, Certificate: 16 credit hours
- Illinois Central CollegeWelding Technology Associate in Applied Science: 60 credit hours; Welding Specialist Certificate: 29 credit hours; Welding Operator Certificate: 13 credit hours
Welder Pay in Illinois
Welder pay: annual wages for welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers in Illinois (16,260 jobs); U.S. median $53,750. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025.
Questions About Welding Schools in Galesburg
How Much Do Welding Schools in Galesburg Cost?
Illinois Central College charges the least, $4,800 a year for full-time residents in 2024-2025; Southeastern Community College charges $6,420. Books, tools and protective gear cost extra (Illinois Central College budgets $2,500 for books and supplies).
How Long Does Welding School Take Near Galesburg?
Spoon River College lists Welding Operator Certificate (8 credit hours) and Welding, Advanced Certificate (16 credit hours), Black Hawk College lists College Credit Certificate in Welding (31 credit hours) and College Credit Certificate in Shielded Metal Arc Welding (17 credit hours) and Eastern Iowa Community College District lists Welder, Diploma (32 credit hours) and Fundamental Welding, Certificate (16 credit hours).
How Much Do Welders Make in Galesburg?
Welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers in Illinois earn a median $51,320 a year (BLS, May 2025), 5% below the U.S. median of $53,750. The top 10% earn more than $76,730.
What Is the Best Welding School Near Galesburg?
Illinois Central College scores highest on program size, cost and completion among the welding schools within 60 miles, with 132 welding awards in 2024-2025. Eastern Iowa Community College District ranks second.
Are There Night Welding Classes Near Galesburg?
Yes. Eastern Iowa Community College District and Southeastern Community College publish evening or weekend sections: Day and night classes; summer welding certificate in 8 weeks.
Welding Programs Near Galesburg but Farther Out
- Illinois Valley Community College, Oglesby71 miles
- Sauk Valley Community College, Dixon72 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.
