What Does College of Lake County Offer for Welding Students?
College of Lake County in Gurnee, Illinois offers an associate degree and 6 certificates in welding through its Welding and Fabrication Technology program. Tuition and fees for 2024–25 were $4,788 for a full-time year (in-district). The school awarded 207 welding credentials in 2024–25. Best for earning a welding degree, not just a certificate.
Welding Degree and Certificates at College of Lake County
| Award | Type | Length |
|---|---|---|
| Welding and Fabrication Technology AAS | Associate | 61 credit hours |
| Welding Certificate (Advanced Welding Fabrication Certificate) | Certificate | 45 credit hours |
| Gas Metal Arc Welding Certificate | Certificate | 23 credit hours |
| Shielded Metal Arc Welding Certificate | Certificate | 23 credit hours |
| Gas Tungsten Arc Welding Certificate | Certificate | 23 credit hours |
| Welding Fabrication Certificate | Certificate | 19 credit hours |
| General Welding Certificate | Certificate | 9 credit hours |
As listed on College of Lake County's welding program page, reviewed September 25, 2026.
College of Lake County Welding Tuition: $4,788 a Year
- Tuition and fees
- $4,788 in-district, 2024–25
- Out of state
- $14,400 2024–25
- Books and supplies
- $1,680 2024–25 estimate
- Welding certificates awarded
- 198 2024–25
- Welding associate degrees
- 9 2024–25
- Graduation rate
- 37% school-wide, Fall 2021 cohort
- Students enrolled
- 12,530 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.
From Stick Welding to Robotics: What College of Lake County Teaches
Seven stackable credentials built on a shared 9-credit first semester, taught in a 28,000 sq ft Gurnee lab with laser, orbital and robotic welders.
- Stick (SMAW)
- MIG (GMAW)
- TIG (GTAW)
- Oxy-fuel and plasma cutting
- Fabrication and blueprint reading
- Robotic and automated weldingrobotic welding
Class Schedule and Certification Testing at College of Lake County
Schedule. General Welding Certificate is one semester; full-time students can earn the AAS in two years.
Testing. Students can earn the American Welding Society (AWS) Welder Performance Qualifier endorsement.
Where you'll Train: Advanced Technology Center (ATC)
- Advanced Technology Center (ATC)
Check start dates, admission steps and the current course list on College of Lake County's own site.
Visit clcillinois.eduWhat Welders Earn in Illinois
Across Illinois, the median welder wage is $51,320 a year, from $38,890 at the 10th percentile to $76,730 at the 90th, with 16,260 welders employed. The national median is $53,750. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025.
5 More Welding Schools Within 32 Miles of Gurnee
- William Rainey Harper College19 mi · $3,894/yr
- McHenry County College19 mi · $4,162/yr
- Gateway Technical College19 mi · $4,956/yr
- Elgin Community College28 mi · $3,252/yr
- Lincoln College of Technology-Melrose Park32 mi
Straight-line distance between campuses. All welding schools in Illinois
College of Lake County Welding FAQ
Does College of Lake County Have a Welding Program?
Yes. College of Lake County offers an associate degree and 6 certificates in welding at Advanced Technology Center (ATC). Training covers stick (SMAW), MIG (GMAW), TIG (GTAW), oxy-fuel and plasma cutting, fabrication and blueprint reading.
How Much Does Welding School Cost at College of Lake County?
College of Lake County's 2024–25 tuition and fees were $4,788 for a full-time year (in-district) and $14,400 out of state, with books and supplies estimated at $1,680. Welding students also pay for tools, gear and lab fees.
How Long Is the Welding Program at College of Lake County?
Welding and Fabrication Technology AAS: 61 credit hours. Welding Certificate (Advanced Welding Fabrication Certificate): 45 credit hours. Gas Metal Arc Welding Certificate: 23 credit hours.
Does College of Lake County Offer Night or Weekend Welding Classes?
General Welding Certificate is one semester; full-time students can earn the AAS in two years.
Can You Get Welding Certified at College of Lake County?
Students can earn the American Welding Society (AWS) Welder Performance Qualifier endorsement.
How Much Do Welders Make in Illinois?
The median welder wage in Illinois is $51,320 a year, and the middle half earn between $46,500 and $61,520 (BLS, May 2025).
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