Nampa, IdahoPublic, 2-Year

College of Western Idaho Welding Program

An associate degree and 2 certificates, $3,446 a year in tuition and fees, with training in stick (SMAW), MIG (GMAW), TIG (GTAW).

What Does College of Western Idaho Offer for Welding Students?

College of Western Idaho in Nampa, Idaho offers an associate degree and 2 certificates in welding through its Welding & Metals Fabrication program. Tuition and fees for 2024–25 were $3,446 for a full-time year (in-district). The school awarded 75 welding credentials in 2024–25, more than any other Idaho school here. Best for learning in a large, established welding program.

College of Western Idaho Welding Tuition: $3,446 a Year

Tuition and fees
$3,446
in-district, 2024–25
Out of state
$7,454
2024–25
Books and supplies
$1,518
2024–25 estimate
Welding certificates awarded
61
2024–25
Welding associate degrees
14
2024–25
Graduation rate
31%
school-wide, Fall 2021 cohort
Students enrolled
11,015
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 College of Western Idaho

AwardTypeLength
Welding & Metals Fabrication – Associate of Applied Science DegreeAssociate65 credit hours
Welding & Metals Fabrication – Intermediate Technical CertificateCertificate50 credit hours
Welding & Metals Fabrication – Basic Technical CertificateCertificate26 credit hours

As listed on College of Western Idaho's welding program page, reviewed September 25, 2026.

What you'll Learn in College of Western Idaho's Welding Program

Taught at the Micron Education Center on the Nampa campus, with fabrication (layout and cutting) paired with AWS certification prep across three stackable awards.

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

Welding Certification Testing at College of Western Idaho

Testing. A highlight of the program is the preparation for the American Welding Society (AWS) certification, highly valued in the industry.

Where you'll Train: Nampa Campus Micron Education Center

  • Nampa Campus Micron Education Center

Check start dates, admission steps and the current course list on College of Western Idaho's own site.

Visit cwi.edu

What Welders Earn in Idaho

Across Idaho, the median welder wage is $50,530 a year, from $40,370 at the 10th percentile to $70,790 at the 90th, with 3,300 welders employed. The national median is $53,750. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025.

1 More Welding School Within 36 Miles of Nampa

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

College of Western Idaho Welding FAQ

Does College of Western Idaho Have a Welding Program?

Yes. College of Western Idaho offers an associate degree and 2 certificates in welding at Nampa Campus Micron Education Center. Training covers stick (SMAW), MIG (GMAW), TIG (GTAW), flux-cored (FCAW), fabrication and blueprint reading.

How Much Does Welding School Cost at College of Western Idaho?

College of Western Idaho's 2024–25 tuition and fees were $3,446 for a full-time year (in-district) and $7,454 out of state, with books and supplies estimated at $1,518. Welding students also pay for tools, gear and lab fees.

How Long Is the Welding Program at College of Western Idaho?

Welding & Metals Fabrication – Associate of Applied Science Degree: 65 credit hours. Welding & Metals Fabrication – Intermediate Technical Certificate: 50 credit hours. Welding & Metals Fabrication – Basic Technical Certificate: 26 credit hours.

Can You Get Welding Certified at College of Western Idaho?

A highlight of the program is the preparation for the American Welding Society (AWS) certification, highly valued in the industry.

How Much Do Welders Make in Idaho?

The median welder wage in Idaho is $50,530 a year, and the middle half earn between $46,120 and $59,350 (BLS, May 2025).

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Sources

  1. cwi.edu: Welding & Metals Fabrication program page, reviewed September 25, 2026
  2. NCES College Navigator, IPEDS unit 455114
  3. BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025