Best Welding School
Menu

South Elgin Welding Schools

Welding Schools in South Elgin, IL

Elgin Community College trains welders in South Elgin, and 7 more welding schools sit within 60 miles.

By the Best Welding School editorial teamUpdated September 25, 2026

A TIG torch held in a fixture over an aluminum tube joint on a welding bench
Photo: Peter Xie / Pexels

Is There a Welding School in South Elgin?

  • Elgin Community College in Elgin, 2 miles away, offers Welding Fabrication Technology - Associate of Applied Science and Welding - Vocational Specialist.
  • William Rainey Harper College in Palatine, 14 miles away, offers Associate in Applied Science: Welding Technology and Advanced Welding Certificate.
  • Waubonsee Community College in Sugar Grove, 15 miles away, offers Welding Technology - Associate in Applied Science (AAS) - Major Code 890A and Advanced Welding - Certificate of Achievement - Major Code 895B.
  • Welding classes in South Elgin: 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 South Elgin for What You Need

Closest to South ElginElgin Community College2 miles from the city centerMost Welding AwardsUniversal Technical Institute of Illinois Inc128 welding credentials conferred in 2024-2025Degree PathWilliam Rainey Harper CollegeWelding Fabrication Technology - Associate of Applied ScienceWorking AdultsCollege of DuPageEvening or weekend sections published

Welding Schools in South Elgin and the Surrounding Area

Elgin · 2 mi from South ElginPublic, 2-year

Elgin Community College, Elgin, Illinois

Offers an associate degree and 5 certificates in welding

  • Lowest Tuition in IL
  • Evening Classes
Tuition / year
$3,252
in-district, 2024–25
Welding awards
55
conferred 2024–25

The closest campus to South Elgin; the lowest resident tuition of the 6 welding schools here ($3,252); evening or weekend sections; a degree option on top of certificates.

Teaches Stick · MIG · TIG · Flux-cored · Pipe · Cutting

Palatine · 14 mi from South ElginPublic, 2-year

William Rainey Harper College, Palatine, Illinois

Offers an associate degree and 4 certificates in welding

  • AWS Testing
  • Associate Degree
Tuition / year
$3,894
in-district, 2024–25
Welding awards
110
conferred 2024–25

The highest college-wide graduation rate here (48%); a degree option on top of certificates.

Teaches Stick · MIG · TIG · Pipe · Cutting · Fabrication

Sugar Grove · 15 mi from South ElginPublic, 2-year

Waubonsee Community College, Sugar Grove, Illinois

Offers an associate degree and 2 certificates in welding

  • AWS Testing
  • Associate Degree
Tuition / year
$3,504
in-district, 2024–25
Welding awards
56
conferred 2024–25

A degree option on top of certificates.

Teaches Stick · MIG · TIG · Flux-cored · Pipe · Cutting

Glen Ellyn · 16 mi from South ElginPublic, 2-year

College of DuPage, Glen Ellyn, Illinois

Offers an associate degree and 3 certificates in welding

  • Evening Classes
  • Weekend Classes
Tuition / year
$4,560
in-district, 2024–25
Welding awards
41
conferred 2024–25

Evening or weekend sections; a degree option on top of certificates.

Teaches Stick · MIG · TIG · Flux-cored · Cutting · Fabrication

Lisle · 17 mi from South ElginPrivate for-profit, 2-year

Universal Technical Institute of Illinois Inc, Lisle, Illinois

Offers one other award in welding

  • Pipe Welding
Welding awards offered
1
certificates and degrees
Welding awards
128
conferred 2024–25

The most welding awards nearby (128 in 2024-2025).

Teaches Stick · MIG · TIG · Flux-cored · Pipe · Fabrication

Crystal Lake · 19 mi from South ElginPublic, 2-year

McHenry County College, Crystal Lake, Illinois

Offers an associate degree and 4 certificates in welding

  • AWS Testing
  • Associate Degree
Tuition / year
$4,162
in-district, 2024–25
Welding awards
48
conferred 2024–25

A degree option on top of certificates.

Teaches Stick · MIG · TIG · Flux-cored · Fabrication

River Grove · 25 mi from South ElginPublic, 2-year

Triton College, River Grove, Illinois

Offers 3 certificates in welding

  • Robotic Welding
Tuition / year
$5,070
in-district, 2024–25
Welding awards
61
conferred 2024–25

Teaches MIG · TIG · Fabrication · Robotic

Melrose Park · 26 mi from South ElginPrivate for-profit, 2-year

Lincoln College of Technology-Melrose Park, Melrose Park, Illinois

Offers one other award in welding

  • AWS Testing
  • Pipe Welding
Welding awards offered
1
certificates and degrees
Welding awards
56
conferred 2024–25

Teaches Stick · MIG · TIG · Flux-cored · Pipe · 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 South Elgin.

Elgin Community College and 7 More Programs Within 60 Miles

CollegeDistanceTuition and feesWelding awardsGraduation rate
Elgin Community CollegeElgin2 miles$3,25247 certificates, 8 associate41%
William Rainey Harper CollegePalatine14 miles$3,894101 certificates, 9 associate48%
Waubonsee Community CollegeSugar Grove15 miles$3,50455 certificates, 1 associate39%
College of DuPageGlen Ellyn16 miles$4,56032 certificates, 9 associate25%
Universal Technical Institute of Illinois IncLisle17 miles128 certificates
McHenry County CollegeCrystal Lake19 miles$4,16248 certificates37%
Triton CollegeRiver Grove25 miles$5,07061 certificates29%
Lincoln College of Technology-Melrose ParkMelrose Park26 miles56 certificates

Welding programs near South Elgin, 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 South Elgin: 2 Colleges Teach Evenings or Weekends

  • Elgin Community CollegeMorning, afternoon, and evening classes are available; certificates can be completed in 4-16 months; AAS is a four-semester program.
  • William Rainey Harper CollegeAn entirely 8-week course format option is offered; apprenticeship option also listed.
  • College of DuPageThe program offers instruction during day, evening and Saturday classes; AAS 4 semesters, certificates 2-4 semesters.
  • Universal Technical Institute of Illinois IncDesigned to be completed in 9-10 months.
  • McHenry County CollegeAAS: 80 weeks to complete; Basic and Advanced certificates: 32 weeks; Production certificate: 16 weeks.
  • Lincoln College of Technology-Melrose ParkEight courses spanning 960 hours of training.

Certificate or Associate Degree Near South Elgin?

Universal Technical Institute of Illinois Inc, Triton College and Lincoln College of Technology-Melrose Park offer certificates only; Elgin Community College, William Rainey Harper College and Waubonsee Community College also award a welding associate degree, which adds general education and takes about two years full time.

  • Elgin Community CollegeWelding Fabrication Technology - Associate of Applied Science: 62 credit hours; Welding - Vocational Specialist: 37 credit hours; Welding - Basic Vocational Specialist: 23 credit hours
  • William Rainey Harper CollegeAssociate in Applied Science: Welding Technology: 60 credit hours; Advanced Welding Certificate: 32 credit hours; Welding Fabrication Certificate: 33 credit hours
  • Waubonsee Community CollegeWelding Technology - Associate in Applied Science (AAS) - Major Code 890A: 60 credit hours; Advanced Welding - Certificate of Achievement - Major Code 895B: 30 credit hours; Welding - Certificate of Achievement - Major Code 893C: 15 credit hours
  • College of DuPageWelding Technology, A.A.S.: 64-66 credit hours; Welding, Certificate: 29 credit hours; AWS Sense 1, Certificate: 17 credit hours
  • McHenry County CollegeWelding and Fabrication AAS: 60 credit hours; Advanced Welding Technician Certificate: 27 credit hours; Basic Welding Technician Certificate: 21 credit 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
  • Lincoln College of Technology-Melrose ParkWelding and Fabrication Technology with Pipe: 960 clock 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 South Elgin

How Much Do Welding Schools in South Elgin Cost?

Elgin Community College charges the least, $3,252 a year for full-time residents in 2024-2025; Triton College charges $5,070. Books, tools and protective gear cost extra (Elgin Community College budgets $1,500 for books and supplies).

How Long Does Welding School Take Near South Elgin?

Elgin Community College lists Welding Fabrication Technology - Associate of Applied Science (62 credit hours) and Welding - Vocational Specialist (37 credit hours), William Rainey Harper College lists Associate in Applied Science: Welding Technology (60 credit hours) and Advanced Welding Certificate (32 credit hours) and Waubonsee Community College lists Welding Technology - Associate in Applied Science (AAS) - Major Code 890A (60 credit hours) and Advanced Welding - Certificate of Achievement - Major Code 895B (30 credit hours).

How Much Do Welders Make in South Elgin?

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 South Elgin?

William Rainey Harper College scores highest on program size, cost and completion among the welding schools within 60 miles, with 110 welding awards in 2024-2025. Elgin Community College ranks second.

Are There Night Welding Classes Near South Elgin?

Yes. Elgin Community College and College of DuPage publish evening or weekend sections: Morning, afternoon, and evening classes are available; certificates can be completed in 4-16 months; AAS is a four-semester program.

Welding Programs Near South Elgin but Farther Out

  • ETI School of Skilled Trades, Willowbrook26 miles
  • Kishwaukee College, Malta29 miles

Latest Posts From the Blog

All posts
An orange robotic arm welding in a factory cell as sparks fly

Illinois · Training

Where to Learn Robotic Welding in Illinois

Eight Illinois colleges teach robotic welding, from Triton's Robotics Welding certificate to Sauk Valley's 5-credit add-on. See what each lists and the pay.

A welder working on large metal components in a factory

Illinois · Salary

How Much Do Welders Make in Illinois?

Illinois welders earned a median $51,320 in May 2025. See pay in Peoria, Decatur, Chicago and Rockford, the full pay range, and jobs that pay more.

Guides, Careers and Pay

Welder Salary in IllinoisBlogWelding School Cost in IllinoisBlogWelder Salary by StateBLS pay, May 2025Welding CertificationAWS Certified Welder and CWIWelding CareersJobs, pay and trainingCompare All Welding SchoolsEvery verified program

Sources

  1. Official welding program pages of the 8 welding schools above (each college name links to its page), reviewed September 2026.
  2. U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS completions and College Navigator.
  3. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025.