What Are the Best Welding Schools in Minnesota?
- Anoka Technical College (Anoka) offers Welding AAS Degree and Welding Technology Diploma.
- Alexandria Technical & Community College (Alexandria) offers Welding Technology Diploma.
- Minnesota North College (Eveleth) offers Entry-Level Welding Diploma and Advanced Welding Diploma.
- Resident tuition and fees run from $5,785 to $27,836 a year (2024–25).
- Welding classes in Minnesota: 3 of the verified welding programs in Minnesota list evening or weekend sections.
- Minnesota welders earn a median $60,280 a year (BLS, May 2025).
Anoka Technical College Leads the Minnesota Welding School Rankings
| # | College | Tuition and fees | Welding awards | Graduation rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Anoka Technical CollegeAnoka | $6,267 | 119 certificates, 11 associate | 66% |
| 2 | Alexandria Technical & Community CollegeAlexandria | $6,236 | 50 certificates | 60% |
| 3 | Minnesota North CollegeEveleth | $6,022 | 47 certificates | 42% |
| 4 | Ridgewater CollegeWillmar | $6,121 | 32 certificates, 2 associate | 50% |
| 5 | South Central CollegeNorth Mankato | $6,146 | 57 certificates | 39% |
| 6 | Hennepin Technical CollegeBrooklyn Park | $5,940 | 40 certificates | 42% |
| 7 | Dakota County Technical CollegeRosemount | $6,679 | 45 certificates | 58% |
| 8 | Dunwoody College of TechnologyMinneapolis | $27,836 | 12 certificates, 12 associate | 66% |
| 9 | Central Lakes College-BrainerdBrainerd | $6,249 | 25 certificates, 3 associate | 53% |
| 10 | Lake Superior CollegeDuluth | $5,785 | 3 certificates, 1 associate | 42% |
| 11 | Minnesota West Community and Technical CollegeGranite Falls | $6,491 | 35 certificates | 52% |
| 12 | Riverland Community CollegeAlbert Lea | $6,298 | 29 certificates | 52% |
Welding programs in Minnesota, 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 Minnesota Welding Schools
Each Minnesota 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 Minnesota by Goal: Top Ranked, Lowest Tuition, Most Welding Awards and Working Adults
Welding Schools in Minnesota, College by College
1Anoka Technical College, Anoka, Minnesota
Offers an associate degree, a diploma and a certificate in welding
- Tuition / year
- $6,267 all students, 2024–25
- Welding awards
- 130 conferred 2024–25
Teaches Stick · MIG · TIG · Cutting · Fabrication · Inspection
2Alexandria Technical &Amp; Community College, Alexandria, Minnesota
Offers a diploma in welding
- Tuition / year
- $6,236 all students, 2024–25
- Welding awards
- 50 conferred 2024–25
Teaches Stick · MIG · TIG · Flux-cored · Cutting · Fabrication
3Minnesota North College, Eveleth, Minnesota
Offers 2 diplomas and a certificate in welding
- Tuition / year
- $6,022 all students, 2024–25
- Welding awards
- 47 conferred 2024–25
Teaches Pipe · Robotic
4Ridgewater College, Willmar, Minnesota
Offers an associate degree, 3 diplomas and a certificate in welding
- Tuition / year
- $6,121 all students, 2024–25
- Welding awards
- 34 conferred 2024–25
Teaches Stick · MIG · TIG · Cutting · Fabrication · Robotic
5South Central College, North Mankato, Minnesota
Offers a diploma and 2 certificates in welding
- Tuition / year
- $6,146 all students, 2024–25
- Welding awards
- 57 conferred 2024–25
Teaches Stick · MIG · TIG · Flux-cored · Fabrication
6Hennepin Technical College, Brooklyn Park, Minnesota
Offers a diploma and 4 certificates in welding
- Tuition / year
- $5,940 all students, 2024–25
- Welding awards
- 40 conferred 2024–25
Teaches Stick · MIG · TIG · Flux-cored · Cutting · Fabrication
7Dakota County Technical College, Rosemount, Minnesota
Offers a diploma in welding
- Tuition / year
- $6,679 all students, 2024–25
- Welding awards
- 45 conferred 2024–25
Teaches Stick · MIG · TIG · Flux-cored · Cutting · Fabrication
8Dunwoody College of Technology, Minneapolis, Minnesota
Offers an associate degree and a certificate in welding
- Tuition / year
- $27,836 all students, 2024–25
- Welding awards
- 24 conferred 2024–25
Teaches Stick · MIG · TIG · Flux-cored · Cutting · Fabrication
9Central Lakes College-Brainerd, Brainerd, Minnesota
Offers an associate degree and a diploma in welding
- Tuition / year
- $6,249 all students, 2024–25
- Welding awards
- 28 conferred 2024–25
Teaches Stick · MIG · TIG · Fabrication
10Lake Superior College, Duluth, Minnesota
Offers an associate degree, a diploma and a certificate in welding
- Tuition / year
- $5,785 all students, 2024–25
- Welding awards
- 4 conferred 2024–25
Teaches Stick · MIG · TIG · Flux-cored · Cutting
11Minnesota West Community and Technical College, Granite Falls, Minnesota
Offers a diploma and 2 certificates in welding
- Tuition / year
- $6,491 all students, 2024–25
- Welding awards
- 35 conferred 2024–25
Teaches Stick · MIG · TIG · Pipe · Cutting · Fabrication
12Riverland Community College, Albert Lea, Minnesota
Offers a diploma and a certificate in welding
- Tuition / year
- $6,298 all students, 2024–25
- Welding awards
- 29 conferred 2024–25
Teaches Stick · MIG · TIG · Cutting · 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 Minnesota: 3 Programs Teach Nights or Weekends
Schedules as each college publishes them. Ask about evening sections and start dates before you apply.
- Anoka Technical CollegeFull-time; certificate starts Fall (August) and Spring (January)
- Dakota County Technical CollegeOn campus; Daytime, Afternoon and Evening Classes; Fall Semester start, full-time; nine-month program
- Hennepin Technical CollegeBrooklyn Park, daytime and evening options
- Minnesota West Community and Technical CollegeDiploma: 2 semesters for full-time students; certificates: 1 semester
- Minnesota North CollegeDay and evening in-person classes at Mesabi Range Eveleth; day classes at The Forge in Grand Rapids
- Alexandria Technical & Community CollegeTen-month program: Fall and Spring semesters plus a Summer term (specialization lab, welding qualification, internship)
- Dunwoody College of TechnologyDaytime classes only and on campus only; two semesters (1 year)
- Ridgewater CollegeIn person, M–Th (8 am–4:30 pm); fall start only
- Lake Superior CollegeOn-campus; AAS and diploma 2 years, certificate 1 year
- Riverland Community CollegeCertificate: one semester, Fall and Spring offerings; diploma two semesters
- South Central CollegeProgram start semesters: Fall and Spring
More Welding Programs in Minnesota: Colleges That Award Welding Credentials
Welding credentials each college conferred in 2022–23 (IPEDS). Confirm current program details with each college.
- Rochester Community and Technical College, Rochester25
- St Cloud Technical and Community College, Saint Cloud25
- Saint Paul College, Saint Paul24
- Northland Community and Technical College, Thief River Falls16
- Century College, White Bear Lake14
- Minneapolis Community and Technical College, Minneapolis13
- Minnesota State College Southeast, Winona12
- Pine Technical & Community College, Pine City8
What Welding School Costs in Minnesota: $5,785 to $27,836 a Year
Among the 12 Minnesota welding schools with federal figures, 2024–25 tuition and fees for a full-time year range from $5,785 at Lake Superior College to $27,836 at Dunwoody College 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Lake Superior College | Duluth | $5,785 (all students) |
| Hennepin Technical College | Brooklyn Park | $5,940 (all students) |
| Minnesota North College | Eveleth | $6,022 (all students) |
| Ridgewater College | Willmar | $6,121 (all students) |
| South Central College | North Mankato | $6,146 (all students) |
| Alexandria Technical & Community College | Alexandria | $6,236 (all students) |
The six lowest rates. Source: NCES College Navigator.
Welder Salary in Minnesota: The St. Cloud Area Pays the Most
| Metro area | Median pay | Top 10% earn more than | Welding jobs |
|---|---|---|---|
| St. Cloud | $62,820 | $80,540 | 620 |
| Minneapolis–St. Paul–Bloomington | $61,880 | $76,650 | 4,600 |
| Fargo | $61,140 | $74,230 | 690 |
| Rochester | $60,380 | $72,350 | 510 |
| La Crosse–Onalaska | $58,800 | $78,320 | 300 |
| Grand Forks | $58,200 | $81,150 | 190 |
| Duluth | $57,410 | $81,190 | 370 |
| Sioux Falls | $55,200 | $80,120 | 850 |
| Mankato | $52,940 | $65,410 | 280 |
Welder salary: annual wages for welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers in Minnesota (9,270 jobs); U.S. median $53,750. Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025.
Welding Schools by City in Minnesota
Welding Schools in Minnesota: FAQ
How Much Do Welding Schools in Minnesota Cost?
Full-time tuition and fees for 2024–25 at the Minnesota colleges on this page run from $5,785 to $27,836 for residents, before books, tools and protective gear.
How Long Does It Take to Become a Welder in Minnesota?
Minnesota programs publish awards from short certificates to associate degrees. For example, Anoka Technical College lists Welding AAS Degree (66 credit hours) and Welding Technology Diploma (34 credit hours); Dakota County Technical College lists Welding Technology - Diploma (36 credit hours); Hennepin Technical College lists Welding Diploma (55 credit hours) and GMAW Production Welder (MIG) Occupational Certificate (16 credit hours).
How Much Do Welders Make in Minnesota?
BLS estimates a median of $60,280 a year for welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers in Minnesota (May 2025), across 9,270 jobs. The lowest-paid 10% earn under $45,690 and the top 10% earn more than $75,710.
What Is the Best Welding School in Minnesota?
On federal data for program size, cost and completion, Anoka Technical College ranks first among Minnesota colleges with verified welding programs, followed by Alexandria Technical & Community College. The best fit depends on the credential you want and the campus you can reach.
Are There Evening Welding Classes in Minnesota?
Yes. 3 welding schools in Minnesota publish evening or weekend sections, including Dakota County Technical College, Hennepin Technical College and Minnesota North College.
How Many Welding Schools Are in Minnesota?
12 schools have a current welding program in Minnesota, each checked against the school's own program page, and 5 offer an associate degree.
What Is the Most Affordable Welding School in Minnesota?
Lake Superior College had the lowest 2024–25 tuition and fees among Minnesota welding schools with federal figures: $5,785 for a full-time year (all students). Hennepin Technical College ($5,940) and Minnesota North College ($6,022) follow.
Which Minnesota Welding Schools Offer an Associate Degree?
Anoka Technical College, Central Lakes College-Brainerd and Dunwoody College of Technology and 2 more offer a welding associate degree, usually alongside shorter certificates.
Where Can You Test for AWS Certification in Minnesota?
Alexandria Technical & Community College, Anoka Technical College and Dunwoody College of Technology and 3 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 Minnesota
Sources
- Official welding program pages of the 12 Minnesota 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.