What Does American River College Offer for Welding Students?
American River College in Sacramento, California offers an associate degree and 7 certificates in welding through its Welding Technology program. Tuition and fees for 2024–25 were $1,288 for a full-time year (in-state). The school awarded 116 welding credentials in 2024–25. Best for earning a welding degree, not just a certificate.
Welding Degree and Certificates at American River College
| Award | Type | Length |
|---|---|---|
| A.S. in Welding Technology | Associate | 34.5-38 units (major requirements) |
| Welding Technology Certificate | Certificate | |
| Shielded Metal Arc Plate and Pipe Certificate | Certificate | |
| Welding Metallurgy and Inspection Certificate | Certificate | 270 hours |
| Gas Metal Arc and Flux Core Arc Welding Plate Certificate | Certificate | 252 hours |
| Gas Tungsten Arc Plate and Pipe Welding Certificate | Certificate | 180 hours |
| Pipe Welding Certificate | Certificate | |
| Welding Equipment Maintenance and Blueprint Interpretation Certificate | Certificate | 234 hours |
As listed on American River College's welding program page, reviewed September 25, 2026.
From Welding to Inspection at ARC
American River College's Welding Metallurgy and Inspection certificate adds ultrasonic testing and welding inspection coursework, a route toward quality-control work.
American River College Welding Tuition: $1,288 a Year
- Tuition and fees
- $1,288 in-state, 2024–25
- Out of state
- $12,616 2024–25
- Books and supplies
- $1,152 2024–25 estimate
- Welding certificates awarded
- 105 2024–25
- Welding associate degrees
- 11 2024–25
- Graduation rate
- 37% school-wide, Fall 2021 cohort
- Students enrolled
- 30,462 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 American River College
AWS-accredited program and QC4 test facility with a broad ladder of process-specific certificates (SMAW, GMAW/FCAW, GTAW, pipe, metallurgy and inspection, equipment maintenance) alongside the A.S.
- Stick (SMAW)
- MIG (GMAW)
- TIG (GTAW)
- Flux-cored (FCAW)
- Pipe welding
- Oxy-fuel and plasma cuttingoxyacetylene cutting, plasma arc cutting
- Fabrication and blueprint reading
- Inspection and testing
Welding Certification Testing at American River College
Testing. The ARC welding program has met all the requirements of the AWS QC4 standards for Accreditation of Test Facilities for their Certified Welder Program.
Where you'll Train: American River College
- American River College
Check start dates, admission steps and the current course list on American River College's own site.
Visit arc.losrios.eduWhat Welders Earn Around Sacramento
Welders in the Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA metro area earn a median $57,290 a year. Across California, the median welder wage is $58,060 a year, from $44,520 at the 10th percentile to $81,940 at the 90th, with 26,060 welders employed. The national median is $53,750. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025.
5 More Welding Schools Within 51 Miles of Sacramento
- Sierra College12 mi · $1,446/yr
- Cosumnes River College14 mi · $1,288/yr
- Yuba College34 mi · $1,128/yr
- San Joaquin Delta College45 mi · $1,180/yr
- Solano Community College51 mi · $1,172/yr
Straight-line distance between campuses. All welding schools in California
American River College Welding FAQ
Does American River College Have a Welding Program?
Yes. American River College offers an associate degree and 7 certificates in welding at American River College. Training covers stick (SMAW), MIG (GMAW), TIG (GTAW), flux-cored (FCAW), pipe welding.
How Much Does Welding School Cost at American River College?
American River College's 2024–25 tuition and fees were $1,288 for a full-time year (in-state) and $12,616 out of state, with books and supplies estimated at $1,152. Welding students also pay for tools, gear and lab fees.
How Long Is the Welding Program at American River College?
A.S. in Welding Technology: 34.5-38 units (major requirements). Welding Metallurgy and Inspection Certificate: 270 hours. Gas Metal Arc and Flux Core Arc Welding Plate Certificate: 252 hours.
Can You Get Welding Certified at American River College?
The ARC welding program has met all the requirements of the AWS QC4 standards for Accreditation of Test Facilities for their Certified Welder Program.
How Much Do Welders Make in California?
The median welder wage in California is $58,060 a year, and the middle half earn between $48,480 and $70,400 (BLS, May 2025).
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