What Are the Best Welding Schools in Nebraska?
- Central Community College (Columbus) offers Welding Technology AAS Degree and Welding Technology Diploma.
- Southeast Community College Area (Lincoln) offers Welding Technology A.A.S. and Welding Technology Diploma.
- Metropolitan Community College Area (Omaha) offers Welding Technology (WEAAS) and Gas Metal Arc Welding (WGMSD).
- Resident tuition and fees run from $3,360 to $3,840 a year (2024–25).
- Welding classes in Nebraska: 1 of the verified welding programs in Nebraska list evening or weekend sections.
- Nebraska welders earn a median $52,220 a year (BLS, May 2025).
Central Community College Leads the Nebraska Welding School Rankings
| # | College | Tuition and fees | Welding awards | Graduation rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Central Community CollegeColumbus | $3,360 | 198 certificates, 35 associate | 48% |
| 2 | Southeast Community College AreaLincoln | $3,690 | 202 certificates, 21 associate | 38% |
| 3 | Metropolitan Community College AreaOmaha | $3,375 | 91 certificates, 41 associate | 29% |
| 4 | Mid-Plains Community CollegeNorth Platte | $3,600 | 12 certificates, 6 associate | 54% |
| 5 | Northeast Community CollegeNorfolk | $3,840 | 65 certificates | 56% |
| 6 | Western Nebraska Community CollegeScottsbluff | $3,840 | 23 certificates, 1 associate | 37% |
Welding programs in Nebraska, 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 Nebraska Welding Schools
Each Nebraska 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 Nebraska by Goal: Top Ranked, Lowest Tuition, Working Adults and Highest Completion
Welding Schools in Nebraska, College by College
1Central Community College, Columbus, Nebraska
Offers an associate degree, a diploma and 3 certificates in welding
- Tuition / year
- $3,360 in-state, 2024–25
- Welding awards
- 233 conferred 2024–25
Teaches Stick · MIG · TIG · Flux-cored · Cutting · Fabrication
2Southeast Community College Area, Lincoln, Nebraska
Offers an associate degree, a diploma and a certificate in welding
- Tuition / year
- $3,690 in-state, 2024–25
- Welding awards
- 223 conferred 2024–25
Teaches Stick · MIG · TIG · Flux-cored · Pipe · Fabrication
3Metropolitan Community College Area, Omaha, Nebraska
Offers an associate degree and 8 certificates in welding
- Tuition / year
- $3,375 in-state, 2024–25
- Welding awards
- 132 conferred 2024–25
Teaches Stick · MIG · TIG · Flux-cored · Pipe · Cutting
4Mid-Plains Community College, North Platte, Nebraska
Offers an associate degree and a diploma in welding
- Tuition / year
- $3,600 in-state, 2024–25
- Welding awards
- 18 conferred 2024–25
Teaches Stick · MIG · TIG · Pipe · Fabrication
5Northeast Community College, Norfolk, Nebraska
Offers a diploma and a certificate in welding
- Tuition / year
- $3,840 in-state, 2024–25
- Welding awards
- 65 conferred 2024–25
Teaches Stick · MIG · TIG · Flux-cored · Pipe · Fabrication
6Western Nebraska Community College, Scottsbluff, Nebraska
Offers an associate degree, a diploma and 2 certificates in welding
- Tuition / year
- $3,840 in-state, 2024–25
- Welding awards
- 24 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.
Welding Classes in Nebraska: One Program Teaches Nights or Weekends
Schedules as each college publishes them. Ask about evening sections and start dates before you apply.
- Central Community CollegeCertificate 1 semester; diploma up to 1 year; AAS 2 years
- Metropolitan Community College AreaQuarter system; many welding courses use open-entry/open-exit so students can set their own schedule
- Southeast Community College AreaDay and evening classes; full-time or part-time; starts Fall/Spring; A.A.S. 4 terms, diploma 2 terms, certificate 1 term
- Northeast Community CollegeClasses held Monday through Thursday; in-person
What Welding School Costs in Nebraska: $3,360 to $3,840 a Year
Among the 6 Nebraska welding schools with federal figures, 2024–25 tuition and fees for a full-time year range from $3,360 at Central Community College to $3,840 at Western Nebraska Community College. Community colleges publish their in-district rate; students from outside the district or state pay more.
| School | City | Tuition and fees, 2024–25 |
|---|---|---|
| Central Community College | Columbus | $3,360 (in-state) |
| Metropolitan Community College Area | Omaha | $3,375 (in-state) |
| Mid-Plains Community College | North Platte | $3,600 (in-state) |
| Southeast Community College Area | Lincoln | $3,690 (in-state) |
| Northeast Community College | Norfolk | $3,840 (in-state) |
| Western Nebraska Community College | Scottsbluff | $3,840 (in-state) |
The six lowest rates. Source: NCES College Navigator.
Welder Salary in Nebraska: The Sioux City Area Pays the Most
| Metro area | Median pay | Top 10% earn more than | Welding jobs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sioux City | $58,230 | $72,800 | 440 |
| Lincoln | $53,990 | $63,320 | 820 |
| Omaha | $53,110 | $70,150 | 1,060 |
| Grand Island | $48,940 | $60,860 | 170 |
Welder salary: annual wages for welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers in Nebraska (4,200 jobs); U.S. median $53,750. Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025.
Welding Schools by City in Nebraska
Welding Schools in Nebraska: FAQ
How Much Do Welding Schools in Nebraska Cost?
Full-time tuition and fees for 2024–25 at the Nebraska colleges on this page run from $3,360 to $3,840 for residents, before books, tools and protective gear.
How Long Does It Take to Become a Welder in Nebraska?
Nebraska programs publish awards from short certificates to associate degrees. For example, Central Community College lists Welding Technology AAS Degree (64 credit hours) and Welding Technology Diploma (32 credit hours); Metropolitan Community College Area lists Welding Technology (WEAAS) (92.5 quarter credit hours); Southeast Community College Area lists Welding Technology A.A.S. (66 credit hours) and Welding Technology Diploma (33 credit hours).
How Much Do Welders Make in Nebraska?
BLS estimates a median of $52,220 a year for welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers in Nebraska (May 2025), across 4,200 jobs. The lowest-paid 10% earn under $43,850 and the top 10% earn more than $66,900.
What Is the Best Welding School in Nebraska?
On federal data for program size, cost and completion, Central Community College ranks first among Nebraska colleges with verified welding programs, followed by Southeast Community College Area. The best fit depends on the credential you want and the campus you can reach.
Are There Evening Welding Classes in Nebraska?
Yes. 1 welding schools in Nebraska publish evening or weekend sections, including Southeast Community College Area.
How Many Welding Schools Are in Nebraska?
6 schools have a current welding program in Nebraska, each checked against the school's own program page, and 5 offer an associate degree.
What Is the Most Affordable Welding School in Nebraska?
Central Community College had the lowest 2024–25 tuition and fees among Nebraska welding schools with federal figures: $3,360 for a full-time year (in-state). Metropolitan Community College Area ($3,375) and Mid-Plains Community College ($3,600) follow.
Which Nebraska Welding Schools Offer an Associate Degree?
Central Community College, Metropolitan Community College Area and Mid-Plains Community College and 2 more offer a welding associate degree, usually alongside shorter certificates.
Where Can You Test for AWS Certification in Nebraska?
Southeast Community College Area and Western Nebraska Community College 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 Nebraska
Sources
- Official welding program pages of the 6 Nebraska 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.