Columbus, NebraskaPublic, 2-Year

Central Community College Welding Program

An associate degree, a diploma and 3 certificates, $3,360 a year in tuition and fees, with training in stick (SMAW), MIG (GMAW), TIG (GTAW).

What Does Central Community College Offer for Welding Students?

Central Community College in Columbus, Nebraska offers an associate degree, a diploma and 3 certificates in welding through its Welding Technology program. Tuition and fees for 2024–25 were $3,360 for a full-time year (in-state), the lowest of the 6 Nebraska schools we list with federal figures. The school awarded 233 welding credentials in 2024–25, more than any other Nebraska school here. Best for keeping tuition low in Nebraska.

Central Community College Welding Tuition: $3,360 a Year

Tuition and fees
$3,360
in-state, 2024–25
Out of state
$4,800
2024–25
Books and supplies
$1,500
2024–25 estimate
Welding certificates awarded
198
2024–25
Welding associate degrees
35
2024–25
Graduation rate
48%
school-wide, Fall 2021 cohort
Students enrolled
6,927
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.

Welding Degree and Certificates at Central Community College

AwardTypeLength
Welding Technology AAS DegreeAssociate64 credit hours
Welding Technology DiplomaDiploma32 credit hours
Advanced Welding CertificateCertificate
Manual Welding CertificateCertificate
Production Welding CertificateCertificate

As listed on Central Community College's welding program page, reviewed September 25, 2026.

From Stick Welding to Robotics: What Central Community College Teaches

Offered at three campuses (Columbus, Grand Island, Hastings) with a stackable ladder from one-semester certificates to a 64-credit AAS that includes robotic welding.

  • Stick (SMAW)
  • MIG (GMAW)
  • TIG (GTAW)
  • Flux-cored (FCAW)
  • Oxy-fuel and plasma cuttingoxyacetylene
  • Fabrication and blueprint reading
  • Robotic and automated weldingrobotic welding

Class Schedule and Certification Testing at Central Community College

Schedule. Certificate 1 semester; diploma up to 1 year; AAS 2 years.

Testing. Training includes welding certification opportunities and robotics experience.

3 Campuses Teach Welding at Central Community College

  • Columbus Campus
  • Grand Island Campus
  • Hastings Campus

Check start dates, admission steps and the current course list on Central Community College's own site.

Visit cccneb.edu

What Welders Earn in Nebraska

Across Nebraska, the median welder wage is $52,220 a year, from $43,850 at the 10th percentile to $66,900 at the 90th, with 4,200 welders employed. The national median is $53,750. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025.

2 More Welding Schools Within 95 Miles of Columbus

Straight-line distance between campuses. All welding schools in Nebraska

Central Community College Welding FAQ

Does Central Community College Have a Welding Program?

Yes. Central Community College offers an associate degree, a diploma and 3 certificates in welding at Columbus Campus, Grand Island Campus, Hastings Campus. Training covers stick (SMAW), MIG (GMAW), TIG (GTAW), flux-cored (FCAW), oxy-fuel and plasma cutting.

How Much Does Welding School Cost at Central Community College?

Central Community College's 2024–25 tuition and fees were $3,360 for a full-time year (in-state) and $4,800 out of state, with books and supplies estimated at $1,500. Welding students also pay for tools, gear and lab fees.

How Long Is the Welding Program at Central Community College?

Welding Technology AAS Degree: 64 credit hours. Welding Technology Diploma: 32 credit hours.

Does Central Community College Offer Night or Weekend Welding Classes?

Certificate 1 semester; diploma up to 1 year; AAS 2 years.

Can You Get Welding Certified at Central Community College?

Training includes welding certification opportunities and robotics experience.

How Much Do Welders Make in Nebraska?

The median welder wage in Nebraska is $52,220 a year, and the middle half earn between $47,830 and $61,810 (BLS, May 2025).

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Sources

  1. cccneb.edu: Welding Technology program page, reviewed September 25, 2026
  2. NCES College Navigator, IPEDS unit 180902
  3. BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025