What Are the Best Welding Schools in Kansas?
- Hutchinson Community College (Hutchinson) offers Welding Technology - AAS and Certificate A.
- Cowley County Community College (Arkansas City) offers Welding Technology AAS Degree and Welding Technology Certificate A.
- Wichita State University-Campus of Applied Sciences and Technology (Wichita) offers Associate of Applied Science, Welding Technology and Technical Certificate, Welding Technology Level 1.
- Resident tuition and fees run from $2,424 to $8,880 a year (2024–25).
- Welding classes in Kansas: 3 of the verified welding programs in Kansas list evening or weekend sections.
- Kansas welders earn a median $49,410 a year (BLS, May 2025).
Hutchinson Community College Leads the Kansas Welding School Rankings
| # | College | Tuition and fees | Welding awards | Graduation rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hutchinson Community CollegeHutchinson | $3,540 | 85 certificates, 7 associate | 53% |
| 2 | Cowley County Community CollegeArkansas City | $4,800 | 85 certificates, 10 associate | 45% |
| 3 | Wichita State University-Campus of Applied Sciences and TechnologyWichita | $7,238 | 186 certificates, 27 associate | 43% |
| 4 | Northwest Kansas Technical College (now Fort Hays Tech | Northwest)Goodland | 81 certificates, 11 associate | ||
| 5 | Johnson County Community CollegeOverland Park | $2,424 | 66 certificates, 15 associate | 31% |
| 6 | Washburn Institute of TechnologyTopeka | $8,880 | 106 certificates | 68% |
| 7 | Salina Area Technical CollegeSalina | $7,128 | 48 certificates, 2 associate | 68% |
| 8 | Neosho County Community CollegeChanute | $5,780 | 106 certificates | 34% |
| 9 | Barton County Community CollegeGreat Bend | $3,680 | 56 certificates, 2 associate | 33% |
| 10 | Fort Scott Community CollegeFort Scott | $3,390 | 48 certificates | 35% |
| 11 | Kansas City Kansas Community CollegeKansas City | $3,210 | 40 certificates | 42% |
| 12 | Heartland Welding AcademyAndover | 46 certificates |
Welding programs in Kansas, 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 Kansas Welding Schools
Each Kansas 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 Kansas by Goal: Top Ranked, Lowest Tuition, Most Welding Awards and Working Adults
Welding Schools in Kansas, College by College
1Hutchinson Community College
Offers an associate degree and 3 certificates in welding
- Tuition / year
- $3,540 in-district, 2024–25
- Welding awards
- 92 conferred 2024–25
Teaches Stick · MIG · TIG · Flux-cored · Pipe · Fabrication
2Cowley County Community College
Offers an associate degree and 2 certificates in welding
- Tuition / year
- $4,800 in-district, 2024–25
- Welding awards
- 95 conferred 2024–25
Teaches Pipe · Cutting · Fabrication · Inspection
3Wichita State University-Campus of Applied Sciences and Technology
Offers an associate degree and 2 certificates in welding
- Tuition / year
- $7,238 all students, 2024–25
- Welding awards
- 213 conferred 2024–25
Teaches Stick · MIG · TIG · Flux-cored
4Northwest Kansas Technical College (Now Fort Hays Tech | Northwest)
Offers an associate degree and 2 certificates in welding
- Welding awards offered
- 3 certificates and degrees
- Welding awards
- 92 conferred 2024–25
Teaches Stick · MIG · TIG · Flux-cored · Pipe · Cutting
5Johnson County Community College
Offers an associate degree and a certificate in welding
- Tuition / year
- $2,424 in-district, 2024–25
- Welding awards
- 81 conferred 2024–25
Teaches Stick · MIG · TIG · Flux-cored · Cutting · Fabrication
6Washburn Institute of Technology
Offers an associate degree and 2 certificates in welding
- Tuition / year
- $8,880 all students, 2024–25
- Welding awards
- 106 conferred 2024–25
Teaches Stick · MIG · TIG · Flux-cored · Cutting · Fabrication
7Salina Area Technical College
Offers an associate degree and a certificate in welding
- Tuition / year
- $7,128 all students, 2024–25
- Welding awards
- 50 conferred 2024–25
Teaches Stick · MIG · TIG · Flux-cored · Fabrication
8Neosho County Community College
Offers an associate degree and 2 certificates in welding
- Tuition / year
- $5,780 all students, 2024–25
- Welding awards
- 106 conferred 2024–25
Teaches Stick · MIG · TIG · Flux-cored · Pipe · Cutting
9Barton County Community College
Offers an associate degree and 2 certificates in welding
- Tuition / year
- $3,680 in-district, 2024–25
- Welding awards
- 58 conferred 2024–25
Teaches Stick · MIG · TIG · Pipe · Cutting · Fabrication
10Fort Scott Community College
Offers a certificate in welding
- Tuition / year
- $3,390 in-district, 2024–25
- Welding awards
- 48 conferred 2024–25
Teaches Stick · MIG · TIG · Flux-cored · Cutting · Fabrication
11Kansas City Kansas Community College
Offers 2 certificates in welding
- Tuition / year
- $3,210 in-district, 2024–25
- Welding awards
- 40 conferred 2024–25
Teaches MIG · Flux-cored · Cutting · Fabrication · Inspection
12Heartland Welding Academy
- Welding awards offered
- 0 certificates and degrees
- Welding awards
- 46 conferred 2024–25
Teaches Stick · MIG · TIG · Flux-cored · Pipe · Fabrication
Tuition and welding awards: NCES College Navigator, 2024–25. Programs and processes: each school's own welding page, reviewed September 2026.
Welding Classes in Kansas: 3 Programs Teach Nights or Weekends
Schedules as each college publishes them. Ask about evening sections and start dates before you apply.
- Washburn Institute of TechnologyDay: MON-FRI 8-11:10am or 11:45am-2:55pm, starts May, August, January; Evening: MON-THURS 4-7pm, starts August and January
- Northwest Kansas Technical College (now Fort Hays Tech | Northwest)Two-semester work-based track (AAS or Technical Certificate C); 18-week pipe and plate track (Technical Certificate A)
- Johnson County Community CollegeFull-time day classes are the fastest way to finish; part-time evening classes are also available.
- Barton County Community CollegeClass options 8 a.m. - 12 p.m., 1:30 p.m. - 3 p.m., and 6 p.m. - 9 p.m.; Intro to Welding and Blueprint Reading online once each semester
- Kansas City Kansas Community College5-12 Months estimated program length
- Salina Area Technical CollegeTechnical Certificate 9 Months; Associate Degree Two Years
- Heartland Welding AcademyDay and evening classes; classes start monthly; 12 or 24 weeks
More Welding Programs in Kansas: Colleges That Award Welding Credentials
Welding credentials each college conferred in 2022–23 (IPEDS). Confirm current program details with each college.
- Manhattan Area Technical College, Manhattan39
- Garden City Community College, Garden City35
- Flint Hills Technical College, Emporia30
- Labette Community College, Parsons29
- Colby Community College, Colby27
- North Central Kansas Technical College, Beloit26
- Highland Community College, Highland25
- Coffeyville Community College, Coffeyville18
- Pratt Community College, Pratt17
- Butler Community College, El Dorado15
- Seward County Community College, Liberal12
- Dodge City Community College, Dodge City9
What Welding School Costs in Kansas: $2,424 to $8,880 a Year
Among the 10 Kansas welding schools with federal figures, 2024–25 tuition and fees for a full-time year range from $2,424 at Johnson County Community College to $8,880 at Washburn Institute of Technology. Community colleges publish their in-district rate; students from outside the district or state pay more.
| School | City | Tuition and fees, 2024–25 |
|---|---|---|
| Johnson County Community College | Overland Park | $2,424 (in-district) |
| Kansas City Kansas Community College | Kansas City | $3,210 (in-district) |
| Fort Scott Community College | Fort Scott | $3,390 (in-district) |
| Hutchinson Community College | Hutchinson | $3,540 (in-district) |
| Barton County Community College | Great Bend | $3,680 (in-district) |
| Cowley County Community College | Arkansas City | $4,800 (in-district) |
The six lowest rates. Source: NCES College Navigator.
Welder Salary in Kansas: The St. Joseph Area Pays the Most
| Metro area | Median pay | Top 10% earn more than | Welding jobs |
|---|---|---|---|
| St. Joseph | $66,060 | $66,060 | 610 |
| Kansas City | $57,370 | $78,150 | 2,710 |
| Wichita | $54,190 | $71,890 | 1,460 |
| Topeka | $51,390 | $71,510 | 330 |
| Manhattan | $50,550 | $62,780 | 180 |
| Lawrence | $48,180 | $64,050 | 70 |
| Joplin | $45,770 | $60,930 | 570 |
Welder salary: annual wages for welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers in Kansas (6,370 jobs); U.S. median $53,750. Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025.
Welding Schools by City in Kansas
Welding Schools in Kansas: FAQ
How Much Do Welding Schools in Kansas Cost?
Full-time tuition and fees for 2024–25 at the Kansas colleges on this page run from $2,424 to $8,880 for residents, before books, tools and protective gear.
How Long Does It Take to Become a Welder in Kansas?
Kansas programs publish awards from short certificates to associate degrees. For example, Neosho County Community College lists Level 1 Certificate (16 credit hours) and Level 2 Certificate (32 credit hours); Washburn Institute of Technology lists Cert A (25 credit hours) and Cert C (49 credit hours); Barton County Community College lists Welding Technology, Associate in Applied Science (64 credit hours) and Welding Technology Certificate (38 credit hours).
How Much Do Welders Make in Kansas?
BLS estimates a median of $49,410 a year for welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers in Kansas (May 2025), across 6,370 jobs. The lowest-paid 10% earn under $37,790 and the top 10% earn more than $66,680.
What Is the Best Welding School in Kansas?
On federal data for program size, cost and completion, Hutchinson Community College ranks first among Kansas colleges with verified welding programs, followed by Cowley County Community College. The best fit depends on the credential you want and the campus you can reach.
Are There Evening Welding Classes in Kansas?
Yes. 3 welding schools in Kansas publish evening or weekend sections, including Washburn Institute of Technology, Johnson County Community College and Heartland Welding Academy.
How Many Welding Schools Are in Kansas?
12 schools have a current welding program in Kansas, each checked against the school's own program page, and 9 offer an associate degree.
What Is the Cheapest Welding School in Kansas?
Johnson County Community College had the lowest 2024–25 tuition and fees among Kansas welding schools with federal figures: $2,424 for a full-time year (in-district). Kansas City Kansas Community College ($3,210) and Fort Scott Community College ($3,390) follow.
Which Kansas Welding Schools Offer an Associate Degree?
Barton County Community College, Cowley County Community College and Hutchinson Community College and 6 more offer a welding associate degree, usually alongside shorter certificates.
Where Can You Test for AWS Certification in Kansas?
Barton County Community College, Fort Scott Community College and Hutchinson Community College and 5 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 Kansas
Sources
- Official welding program pages of the 12 Kansas 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.