Ankeny, IowaPublic, 2-Year

Des Moines Area Community College Welding Program

A diploma and 6 certificates, $5,790 a year in tuition and fees, with training in stick (SMAW), MIG (GMAW), TIG (GTAW).

What Does Des Moines Area Community College Offer for Welding Students?

Des Moines Area Community College in Ankeny, Iowa offers a diploma and 6 certificates in welding through its Welding (Iowa Welding Institute at DMACC) program. Tuition and fees for 2024–25 were $5,790 for a full-time year (in-state). The school awarded 494 welding credentials in 2024–25, more than any other Iowa school here. Best for learning in a large, established welding program.

Des Moines Area Community College Welding Tuition: $5,790 a Year

Tuition and fees
$5,790
in-state, 2024–25
Out of state
$6,690
2024–25
Books and supplies
$810
2024–25 estimate
Welding certificates awarded
494
2024–25
Graduation rate
39%
school-wide, Fall 2021 cohort
Students enrolled
23,697
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.

6 Welding Certificates at Des Moines Area Community College

AwardTypeLength
Welding, DiplomaDiploma36 credit hours
Welding, Blueprint Reading, CertificateCertificate
Welding, Gas Metal Arc, CertificateCertificate
Welding, Gas Tungsten Arc, CertificateCertificate
Welding, Production MIG Welding, CertificateCertificate
Welding, Shielded Metal Arc, CertificateCertificate
Welding, Thermal Cutting, CertificateCertificate

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

What you'll Learn in Des Moines Area Community College's Welding Program

Open-entry/open-exit SENSE Level 1 curriculum split into stackable single-process certificates (GMAW, GTAW, SMAW, thermal cutting, blueprint reading) that build to a diploma.

  • Stick (SMAW)
  • MIG (GMAW)
  • TIG (GTAW)
  • Flux-cored (FCAW)
  • Oxy-fuel and plasma cuttingoxyfuel cutting, air carbon arc cutting
  • Fabrication and blueprint reading
  • Inspection and testing

Class Schedule and Certification Testing at Des Moines Area Community College

Schedule. The Welding program offers open-entry and open-exit courses. Students may start any semester.

Testing. The program is aligned to the American Welding Society’s SENSE Level 1 skills standards.

3 Campuses Teach Welding at Des Moines Area Community College

  • Ankeny
  • Carroll
  • Newton

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

Visit dmacc.edu

What Welders Earn in Iowa

Across Iowa, the median welder wage is $55,090 a year, from $45,590 at the 10th percentile to $65,250 at the 90th, with 9,270 welders employed. The national median is $53,750. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025.

5 More Welding Schools Within 83 Miles of Ankeny

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

Des Moines Area Community College Welding FAQ

Does Des Moines Area Community College Have a Welding Program?

Yes. Des Moines Area Community College offers a diploma and 6 certificates in welding at Ankeny, Carroll, Newton. Training covers stick (SMAW), MIG (GMAW), TIG (GTAW), flux-cored (FCAW), oxy-fuel and plasma cutting.

How Much Does Welding School Cost at Des Moines Area Community College?

Des Moines Area Community College's 2024–25 tuition and fees were $5,790 for a full-time year (in-state) and $6,690 out of state, with books and supplies estimated at $810. Welding students also pay for tools, gear and lab fees.

How Long Is the Welding Program at Des Moines Area Community College?

Welding, Diploma: 36 credit hours.

Does Des Moines Area Community College Offer Night or Weekend Welding Classes?

The Welding program offers open-entry and open-exit courses. Students may start any semester.

Can You Get Welding Certified at Des Moines Area Community College?

The program is aligned to the American Welding Society’s SENSE Level 1 skills standards.

How Much Do Welders Make in Iowa?

The median welder wage in Iowa is $55,090 a year, and the middle half earn between $48,250 and $60,200 (BLS, May 2025).

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Sources

  1. dmacc.edu: Welding (Iowa Welding Institute at DMACC) program page, reviewed September 25, 2026
  2. NCES College Navigator, IPEDS unit 153214
  3. BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025