Great Falls, MontanaPublic, 2-Year

Great Falls College Montana State University Welding Program

An associate degree and 3 certificates, $4,028 a year in tuition and fees, with training in stick (SMAW), MIG (GMAW), TIG (GTAW).

What Does Great Falls College Montana State University Offer for Welding Students?

Great Falls College Montana State University in Great Falls, Montana offers an associate degree and 3 certificates in welding through its Welding Technology & Fabrication program. Tuition and fees for 2024–25 were $4,028 for a full-time year (in-state). The school awarded 76 welding credentials in 2024–25, more than any other Montana school here. Best for learning in a large, established welding program.

Great Falls College Montana State University Welding Tuition: $4,028 a Year

Tuition and fees
$4,028
in-state, 2024–25
Out of state
$12,911
2024–25
Books and supplies
$1,400
2024–25 estimate
Welding certificates awarded
64
2024–25
Welding associate degrees
12
2024–25
Graduation rate
34%
school-wide, Fall 2021 cohort
Students enrolled
1,502
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 Great Falls College Montana State University

AwardTypeLength
Welding Technology & Fabrication Associate of Applied ScienceAssociate62 credits
Welding Technology & Fabrication Certificate of Applied ScienceCertificate
Welding & Fabrication Tier 1 Certificate of Technical StudiesCertificate
Welding and Fabrication Tier 3 Certificate of Technical StudiesCertificate

As listed on Great Falls College Montana State University's welding program page, reviewed September 25, 2026.

From Stick Welding to Robotics: What Great Falls College Montana State University Teaches

A stackable, limited-enrollment ladder where students can exit with a Tier 1 CTS after one semester, a CAS after two, a Tier 3 CTS after three, or the 62-credit AAS, with a published resident program cost.

  • Stick (SMAW)
  • MIG (GMAW)
  • TIG (GTAW)
  • Flux-cored (FCAW)
  • Pipe welding
  • Oxy-fuel and plasma cuttingCNC plasma
  • Fabrication and blueprint reading
  • Robotic and automated weldingCNC plasma
  • Inspection and testingnondestructive testing

Class Schedule and Certification Testing at Great Falls College Montana State University

Schedule. Limited-enrollment program; CAS about 1 year, AAS 2 years; application packets due by May 15, 2026 priority deadline for the upcoming semester.

Testing. AAS outcome: 'Obtain a welding qualification by producing a satisfactory 1" unlimited qualification weld according to industry standards (AWS Dl.1).'.

Where you'll Train: Great Falls College MSU

  • Great Falls College MSU

Check start dates, admission steps and the current course list on Great Falls College Montana State University's own site.

Visit gfcmsu.edu

What Welders Earn Around Great Falls

Welders in the Great Falls, MT metro area earn a median $55,720 a year. 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.

2 More Welding Schools Within 103 Miles of Great Falls

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

Great Falls College Montana State University Welding FAQ

Does Great Falls College Montana State University Have a Welding Program?

Yes. Great Falls College Montana State University offers an associate degree and 3 certificates in welding at Great Falls College MSU. Training covers stick (SMAW), MIG (GMAW), TIG (GTAW), flux-cored (FCAW), pipe welding.

How Much Does Welding School Cost at Great Falls College Montana State University?

Great Falls College Montana State University's 2024–25 tuition and fees were $4,028 for a full-time year (in-state) and $12,911 out of state, with books and supplies estimated at $1,400. Welding students also pay for tools, gear and lab fees.

How Long Is the Welding Program at Great Falls College Montana State University?

Welding Technology & Fabrication Associate of Applied Science: 62 credits.

Does Great Falls College Montana State University Offer Night or Weekend Welding Classes?

Limited-enrollment program; CAS about 1 year, AAS 2 years; application packets due by May 15, 2026 priority deadline for the upcoming semester.

Can You Get Welding Certified at Great Falls College Montana State University?

AAS outcome: 'Obtain a welding qualification by producing a satisfactory 1" unlimited qualification weld according to industry standards (AWS Dl.1).'.

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).

Latest Posts From the Blog

All posts

More on Welding in Montana

Sources

  1. gfcmsu.edu: Welding Technology & Fabrication program page, reviewed September 25, 2026
  2. NCES College Navigator, IPEDS unit 180249
  3. BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025