What Does Elgin Community College Offer for Welding Students?
Elgin Community College in Elgin, Illinois offers an associate degree and 5 certificates in welding through its Welding Fabrication Technology program. Tuition and fees for 2024–25 were $3,252 for a full-time year (in-district), the lowest of the 35 Illinois schools we list with federal figures. The school awarded 55 welding credentials in 2024–25. It runs evening classes. Best for working adults who need evening classes.
Class Schedule and Certification Testing at Elgin Community College
Schedule. Morning, afternoon, and evening classes are available; certificates can be completed in 4-16 months; AAS is a four-semester program.
Testing. Students will have the opportunity to receive American Welding Certificates in Welding Fundamentals I, II, and III.
Elgin Community College Welding Tuition: $3,252 a Year
- Tuition and fees
- $3,252 in-district, 2024–25
- Out of state
- $9,516 2024–25
- Books and supplies
- $1,500 2024–25 estimate
- Welding certificates awarded
- 47 2024–25
- Welding associate degrees
- 8 2024–25
- Graduation rate
- 41% school-wide, Fall 2021 cohort
- Students enrolled
- 10,251 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 Elgin Community College
| Award | Type | Length |
|---|---|---|
| Welding Fabrication Technology - Associate of Applied Science | Associate | 62 credit hours |
| Welding - Vocational Specialist | Certificate | 37 credit hours |
| Welding - Basic Vocational Specialist | Certificate | 23 credit hours |
| Shielded Metal Arc Welding - Basic Vocational Specialist | Certificate | 18 credit hours |
| Gas Metal Arc - Basic Vocational Specialist | Certificate | 22 credit hours |
| Pipe Welding Basic Vocational Specialist | Certificate | 20.5 credit hours |
As listed on Elgin Community College's welding program page, reviewed September 25, 2026.
From Stick Welding to Robotics: What Elgin Community College Teaches
ECC added a Pipe Welding Basic Vocational certificate for Fall 2026, housed in its new 150,000-square-foot Manufacturing and Technology Center, alongside a fabrication-focused AAS that uses CAD for print work.
- Stick (SMAW)
- MIG (GMAW)
- TIG (GTAW)
- Flux-cored (FCAW)
- Pipe welding
- Oxy-fuel and plasma cuttingplasma arc welding, oxy-acetylene welding, cutting and brazing
- Fabrication and blueprint reading
- Robotic and automated weldingrobotic welding
- Inspection and testing
Where you'll Train: Main Campus, Building S, Manufacturing &Amp; Technology Center
- Main Campus, Building S, Manufacturing & Technology Center
Check start dates, admission steps and the current course list on Elgin Community College's own site.
Visit elgin.eduWhat Welders Earn Around Chicago
Welders in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area earn a median $52,650 a year. 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 18 Miles of Elgin
- William Rainey Harper College14 mi · $3,894/yr
- Waubonsee Community College17 mi · $3,504/yr
- McHenry County College17 mi · $4,162/yr
- Universal Technical Institute of Illinois Inc18 mi
- College of DuPage18 mi · $4,560/yr
Straight-line distance between campuses. All welding schools in Illinois
Elgin Community College Welding FAQ
Does Elgin Community College Have a Welding Program?
Yes. Elgin Community College offers an associate degree and 5 certificates in welding at Main Campus, Building S, Manufacturing & Technology Center. Training covers stick (SMAW), MIG (GMAW), TIG (GTAW), flux-cored (FCAW), pipe welding.
How Much Does Welding School Cost at Elgin Community College?
Elgin Community College's 2024–25 tuition and fees were $3,252 for a full-time year (in-district) and $9,516 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 Elgin Community College?
Welding Fabrication Technology - Associate of Applied Science: 62 credit hours. Welding - Vocational Specialist: 37 credit hours. Welding - Basic Vocational Specialist: 23 credit hours.
Does Elgin Community College Offer Night or Weekend Welding Classes?
Morning, afternoon, and evening classes are available; certificates can be completed in 4-16 months; AAS is a four-semester program.
Can You Get Welding Certified at Elgin Community College?
Students will have the opportunity to receive American Welding Certificates in Welding Fundamentals I, II, and III.
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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