Kalispell, MontanaPublic, 2-Year

Flathead Valley Community College Welding Program

An associate degree and 2 certificates, $4,912 a year in tuition and fees, with training in stick (SMAW), MIG (GMAW), TIG (GTAW).

What Does Flathead Valley Community College Offer for Welding Students?

Flathead Valley Community College in Kalispell, Montana offers an associate degree and 2 certificates in welding through its Welding (CTS, CAS, AAS) program. Tuition and fees for 2024–25 were $4,912 for a full-time year (in-district). The school awarded 16 welding credentials in 2024–25. Best for earning a welding degree, not just a certificate.

Welding Degree and Certificates at Flathead Valley Community College

AwardTypeLength
Welding and Fabrication Technology, AASAssociate60 credits
Welding and Fabrication Technology, CASCertificate32 credits
Welding Technology, CTSCertificate20 credits

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

Flathead Valley Community College Welding Tuition: $4,912 a Year

Tuition and fees
$4,912
in-district, 2024–25
Out of state
$11,659
2024–25
Books and supplies
$1,125
2024–25 estimate
Welding certificates awarded
8
2024–25
Welding associate degrees
8
2024–25
Graduation rate
29%
school-wide, Fall 2021 cohort
Students enrolled
2,234
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 Flathead Valley Community College Teaches

Three stackable credentials (20, 32 and 60 credits) that build toward AWS D1.1 limited, unlimited and pipe certifications, with CAD/SolidWorks and an AWS D1.1 code book course in the AAS.

  • Stick (SMAW)
  • MIG (GMAW)
  • TIG (GTAW)
  • Flux-cored (FCAW)
  • Pipe welding
  • Oxy-fuel and plasma cuttingoxyfuel, CNC plasma cutting
  • Fabrication and blueprint reading
  • Robotic and automated weldingCNC plasma cutting

Welding Certification Testing at Flathead Valley Community College

Testing. After completing the program, students should be qualified for AWS D 1.1 Limited Thickness, AWS D 1.1 Unlimited Thickness and AWS D 1.1 Pipe Certification; CTS students must earn at least two American Welding qualifications in WLDG 185.

Where you'll Train: Flathead Valley Campus

  • Flathead Valley Campus777 Grandview Drive, Kalispell, MT 59901

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

Visit fvcc.edu

What Welders Earn in Montana

Across Montana, the median welder wage is $55,610 a year, from $43,720 at the 10th percentile to $81,470 at the 90th, with 1,530 welders employed. The national median is $53,750. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025.

1 More Welding School Within 96 Miles of Kalispell

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

Flathead Valley Community College Welding FAQ

Does Flathead Valley Community College Have a Welding Program?

Yes. Flathead Valley Community College offers an associate degree and 2 certificates in welding at Flathead Valley Campus. Training covers stick (SMAW), MIG (GMAW), TIG (GTAW), flux-cored (FCAW), pipe welding.

How Much Does Welding School Cost at Flathead Valley Community College?

Flathead Valley Community College's 2024–25 tuition and fees were $4,912 for a full-time year (in-district) and $11,659 out of state, with books and supplies estimated at $1,125. Welding students also pay for tools, gear and lab fees.

How Long Is the Welding Program at Flathead Valley Community College?

Welding and Fabrication Technology, AAS: 60 credits. Welding and Fabrication Technology, CAS: 32 credits. Welding Technology, CTS: 20 credits.

Can You Get Welding Certified at Flathead Valley Community College?

After completing the program, students should be qualified for AWS D 1.1 Limited Thickness, AWS D 1.1 Unlimited Thickness and AWS D 1.1 Pipe Certification; CTS students must earn at least two American Welding qualifications in WLDG 185.

How Much Do Welders Make in Montana?

The median welder wage in Montana is $55,610 a year, and the middle half earn between $47,590 and $63,520 (BLS, May 2025).

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Sources

  1. fvcc.edu: Welding (CTS, CAS, AAS) program page, reviewed September 25, 2026
  2. NCES College Navigator, IPEDS unit 180197
  3. BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025