What Are the Best Welding Schools in North Dakota?
- North Dakota State College of Science (Wahpeton) offers Welding Technology (A.A.S.) and Industry Welding Technology (A.A.S.).
- Bismarck State College (Bismarck) offers Welding Associate in Applied Science and Welding Program Certificate.
- Lynnes Welding Training (Fargo) offers 480 Hour Combination Welder I Program (Certificate of Completion) and 640 Hour Combination Welder II Program (Certificate of Completion).
- Resident tuition and fees run from $2,794 to $6,128 a year (2024–25).
- North Dakota welders earn a median $62,000 a year (BLS, May 2025).
North Dakota State College of Science Leads the North Dakota Welding School Rankings
| # | College | Tuition and fees | Welding awards | Graduation rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | North Dakota State College of ScienceWahpeton | $5,974 | 16 certificates, 22 associate | 55% |
| 2 | Bismarck State CollegeBismarck | $5,247 | 8 certificates, 13 associate | 47% |
| 3 | Lynnes Welding TrainingFargo | 104 certificates | ||
| 4 | Turtle Mountain Community CollegeBelcourt | $2,794 | 4 certificates | 43% |
| 5 | Williston State CollegeWilliston | $6,128 | 31 certificates | 42% |
| 6 | United Tribes Technical CollegeBismarck | $4,632 | 9 certificates | 21% |
| 7 | Nueta Hidatsa Sahnish CollegeNew Town | $3,870 | 2 certificates | 7% |
Welding programs in North Dakota, 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 North Dakota Welding Schools
Each North Dakota 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 North Dakota by Goal: Top Ranked, Lowest Tuition, Most Welding Awards and Highest Completion
Welding Schools in North Dakota, College by College
1North Dakota State College of Science
Offers 2 associate degrees and a certificate in welding
- Tuition / year
- $5,974 in-state, 2024–25
- Welding awards
- 38 conferred 2024–25
Teaches Pipe · Cutting · Fabrication · Robotic · Inspection
2Bismarck State College
Offers an associate degree and a certificate in welding
- Tuition / year
- $5,247 in-state, 2024–25
- Welding awards
- 21 conferred 2024–25
Teaches Stick · MIG · TIG · Flux-cored · Pipe · Cutting
3Lynnes Welding Training
Offers 2 certificates and one other award in welding
- Welding awards offered
- 3 certificates and degrees
- Welding awards
- 104 conferred 2024–25
Teaches Stick · MIG · TIG
4Turtle Mountain Community College
Offers a certificate in welding
- Tuition / year
- $2,794 all students, 2024–25
- Welding awards
- 4 conferred 2024–25
Teaches Fabrication
5Williston State College
Offers an associate degree and 3 certificates in welding
- Tuition / year
- $6,128 all students, 2024–25
- Welding awards
- 31 conferred 2024–25
Teaches Stick · MIG · TIG · Flux-cored · Cutting · Fabrication
6United Tribes Technical College
Offers a certificate in welding
- Tuition / year
- $4,632 all students, 2024–25
- Welding awards
- 9 conferred 2024–25
Teaches Stick · MIG · TIG · Flux-cored · Cutting · Fabrication
7Nueta Hidatsa Sahnish College
Offers a certificate in welding
- Tuition / year
- $3,870 all students, 2024–25
- Welding awards
- 2 conferred 2024–25
Teaches Pipe · Fabrication · Inspection
Tuition and welding awards: NCES College Navigator, 2024–25. Programs and processes: each school's own welding page, reviewed September 2026.
Welding Classes in North Dakota: When Programs Meet
Schedules as each college publishes them. Ask about evening sections and start dates before you apply.
- Lynnes Welding TrainingCombination Welder I in 12 weeks, Combination Welder II in 16 weeks; skills courses 3-5 weeks; new classes monthly, open 50 weeks per year; full- and part-time classes.
- North Dakota State College of ScienceFace-to-face at Wahpeton and Fargo; Industry Welding Technology AAS offered face-to-face or combination in Fargo.
- Bismarck State CollegeBegins in fall; on campus; limited enrollment. Certificate is two 18-credit semesters; AAS adds a summer pipe-welding semester and general education.
- Williston State College15 students admitted per cohort; accepted students start program courses the following fall.
- Turtle Mountain Community CollegeCohort model of instruction.
- Nueta Hidatsa Sahnish College9-month cohort program beginning only in the fall semester; no mid-year or late entry.
What Welding School Costs in North Dakota: $2,794 to $6,128 a Year
Among the 6 North Dakota welding schools with federal figures, 2024–25 tuition and fees for a full-time year range from $2,794 at Turtle Mountain Community College to $6,128 at Williston State College. Community colleges publish their in-district rate; students from outside the district or state pay more.
| School | City | Tuition and fees, 2024–25 |
|---|---|---|
| Turtle Mountain Community College | Belcourt | $2,794 (all students) |
| Nueta Hidatsa Sahnish College | New Town | $3,870 (all students) |
| United Tribes Technical College | Bismarck | $4,632 (all students) |
| Bismarck State College | Bismarck | $5,247 (in-state) |
| North Dakota State College of Science | Wahpeton | $5,974 (in-state) |
| Williston State College | Williston | $6,128 (all students) |
The six lowest rates. Source: NCES College Navigator.
Welder Salary in North Dakota: The Minot Area Pays the Most
| Metro area | Median pay | Top 10% earn more than | Welding jobs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minot | $62,060 | $99,230 | 80 |
| Bismarck | $62,000 | $77,180 | 320 |
| Fargo | $61,140 | $74,230 | 690 |
| Grand Forks | $58,200 | $81,150 | 190 |
Welder salary: annual wages for welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers in North Dakota (2,590 jobs); U.S. median $53,750. Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025.
Welding Schools by City in North Dakota
Welding Schools in North Dakota: FAQ
How Much Do Welding Schools in North Dakota Cost?
Full-time tuition and fees for 2024–25 at the North Dakota colleges on this page run from $2,794 to $6,128 for residents, before books, tools and protective gear.
How Long Does It Take to Become a Welder in North Dakota?
North Dakota programs publish awards from short certificates to associate degrees. For example, Lynnes Welding Training lists 480 Hour Combination Welder I Program (Certificate of Completion) (480 clock hours) and 640 Hour Combination Welder II Program (Certificate of Completion) (640 clock hours); North Dakota State College of Science lists Welding Technology (A.A.S.) (73 credits) and Industry Welding Technology (A.A.S.) (61 credits); Bismarck State College lists Welding Associate in Applied Science (63 credits) and Welding Program Certificate (36 credits).
How Much Do Welders Make in North Dakota?
BLS estimates a median of $62,000 a year for welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers in North Dakota (May 2025), across 2,590 jobs. The lowest-paid 10% earn under $46,660 and the top 10% earn more than $83,290.
What Is the Best Welding School in North Dakota?
On federal data for program size, cost and completion, North Dakota State College of Science ranks first among North Dakota colleges with verified welding programs, followed by Bismarck State College. The best fit depends on the credential you want and the campus you can reach.
How Many Welding Schools Are in North Dakota?
7 schools have a current welding program in North Dakota, each checked against the school's own program page, and 3 offer an associate degree.
What Is the Cheapest Welding School in North Dakota?
Turtle Mountain Community College had the lowest 2024–25 tuition and fees among North Dakota welding schools with federal figures: $2,794 for a full-time year (all students). Nueta Hidatsa Sahnish College ($3,870) and United Tribes Technical College ($4,632) follow.
Which North Dakota Welding Schools Offer an Associate Degree?
Bismarck State College, North Dakota State College of Science and Williston State College offer a welding associate degree, usually alongside shorter certificates.
Where Can You Test for AWS Certification in North Dakota?
Bismarck State College, Lynnes Welding Training and United Tribes Technical 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.
Latest Posts From the Blog
All posts
National · Cost
What Welding Books, Tools and Supplies Cost
Welding schools estimate $270 to $7,400 a year for books and supplies. See the lowest and highest, why they differ, and when gear costs more than tuition.
New Jersey · Salary
How Much Do Welders Make in New Jersey?
New Jersey welders earned a median $59,440 in May 2025 ($28.58 an hour). See pay by metro, starting and top pay, and the jobs welding leads to.
Illinois · Cost
How Much Does Welding School Cost in Illinois?
2024–25 tuition at Illinois welding schools, from $3,252 at Elgin Community College to $6,090 at Spoon River College, plus books and full program costs.
More on Welding in North Dakota
Sources
- Official welding program pages of the 7 North Dakota 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.