Virginia Beach, VirginiaPrivate for-Profit, 2-Year

Advanced Technology Institute Welding Program

An associate degree and a diploma, $14,568 a year in tuition and fees, with training in stick (SMAW), MIG (GMAW), TIG (GTAW).

What Does Advanced Technology Institute Offer for Welding Students?

Advanced Technology Institute in Virginia Beach, Virginia offers an associate degree and a diploma in welding through its Maritime Welding Technology program. Tuition and fees for 2024–25 were $14,568 for a full-time year (all students). The school awarded 71 welding credentials in 2024–25. Best for earning a welding degree, not just a certificate.

Welding Degree and Certificates at Advanced Technology Institute

AwardTypeLength
Maritime Welding Technology (Diploma)Diploma1,200 clock hours / 48 credit hours
Associate in Occupational Science, Trades Leadership with Specialization in Maritime Welding TechnologyAssociate1,500 clock hours / 60 credit hours

As listed on Advanced Technology Institute's welding program page, reviewed September 25, 2026.

Advanced Technology Institute Welding Tuition: $14,568 a Year

Tuition and fees
$14,568
all students, 2024–25
Welding certificates awarded
41
2024–25
Welding associate degrees
30
2024–25
Graduation rate
79%
school-wide, Fall 2021 cohort
Students enrolled
415
school-wide, Fall 2024

Tuition and fees are for a full-time year. Awards count welding credentials conferred. Graduation rate and enrollment cover the whole school. Source: NCES College Navigator.

Plate, Pipe and Process Training at Advanced Technology Institute

A shipyard-oriented 15-month, 1,200-clock-hour diploma at an AWS Certified Test Facility that runs through SMAW 6G pipe and aluminum GMAW/GTAW, with a 15-week add-on to an AOS in Trades Leadership.

  • Stick (SMAW)
  • MIG (GMAW)
  • TIG (GTAW)
  • Flux-cored (FCAW)
  • Pipe welding
  • Fabrication and blueprint reading

Class Schedule and Certification Testing at Advanced Technology Institute

Schedule. Students attend class five (5) hours per day, four (4) days per week on various schedules; diploma approximately 15 months, AOS approximately 18 months (including breaks and holidays).

Testing. Students can earn AWS certifications up to 6G pipe during the program, with testing on site during class hours.

Where you'll Train: Main Campus

  • Main Campus5700 Southern Boulevard, Virginia Beach, VA 23462

Check start dates, admission steps and the current course list on Advanced Technology Institute's own site.

Visit auto.edu

What Welders Earn Around Virginia Beach

Welders in the Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC metro area earn a median $62,670 a year. Across Virginia, the median welder wage is $59,180 a year, from $42,520 at the 10th percentile to $79,630 at the 90th, with 10,100 welders employed. The national median is $53,750. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025.

5 More Welding Schools Within 85 Miles of Virginia Beach

Straight-line distance between campuses. All welding schools in Virginia · Welding schools in Virginia Beach

Advanced Technology Institute Welding FAQ

Does Advanced Technology Institute Have a Welding Program?

Yes. Advanced Technology Institute offers an associate degree and a diploma in welding at Main Campus. Training covers stick (SMAW), MIG (GMAW), TIG (GTAW), flux-cored (FCAW), pipe welding.

How Much Does Welding School Cost at Advanced Technology Institute?

Advanced Technology Institute's 2024–25 tuition and fees were $14,568 for a full-time year (all students). Welding students also pay for tools, gear and lab fees.

How Long Is the Welding Program at Advanced Technology Institute?

Maritime Welding Technology (Diploma): 1,200 clock hours / 48 credit hours. Associate in Occupational Science, Trades Leadership with Specialization in Maritime Welding Technology: 1,500 clock hours / 60 credit hours.

Does Advanced Technology Institute Offer Night or Weekend Welding Classes?

Students attend class five (5) hours per day, four (4) days per week on various schedules; diploma approximately 15 months, AOS approximately 18 months (including breaks and holidays).

Can You Get Welding Certified at Advanced Technology Institute?

Students can earn AWS certifications up to 6G pipe during the program, with testing on site during class hours.

How Much Do Welders Make in Virginia?

The median welder wage in Virginia is $59,180 a year, and the middle half earn between $49,020 and $65,400 (BLS, May 2025).

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How Much Do Welders Make in Virginia?

Virginia welders earned a $59,180 median in May 2025, $28.45 an hour. See pay in Hampton Roads, Richmond, Roanoke and more, plus related welding careers.

More on Welding in Virginia

Sources

  1. auto.edu: Maritime Welding Technology program page, reviewed September 25, 2026
  2. NCES College Navigator, IPEDS unit 231411
  3. BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025