What Does Highland Community College Offer for Welding Students?
Highland Community College in Freeport, Illinois offers 2 certificates in welding through its Welding and Fabrication program. Tuition and fees for 2024–25 were $4,936 for a full-time year (in-district). The school awarded 30 welding credentials in 2024–25. Best for a fast start in welding with a certificate.
2 Welding Certificates at Highland Community College
| Award | Type | Length |
|---|---|---|
| Welding and Fabrication, Certificate (614) | Certificate | 23 credit hours |
| Basic Welding, Certificate (628) | Certificate | 16 credit hours |
As listed on Highland Community College's welding program page, reviewed September 25, 2026.
Highland Community College Welding Tuition: $4,936 a Year
- Tuition and fees
- $4,936 in-district, 2024–25
- Out of state
- $7,360 2024–25
- Books and supplies
- $725 2024–25 estimate
- Welding certificates awarded
- 30 2024–25
- Graduation rate
- 45% school-wide, Fall 2021 cohort
- Students enrolled
- 1,360 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.
What you'll Learn in Highland Community College's Welding Program
Highland offers two short welding certificates (16 and 23 credits) built around shop time in a newly equipped lab, with welding also feeding its Industrial Manufacturing and Industrial Training AAS degrees.
- Stick (SMAW)
- MIG (GMAW)
- TIG (GTAW)
- Oxy-fuel and plasma cuttingoxy-fuel cutting
- Fabrication and blueprint reading
Where you'll Train: Highland Community College
- Highland Community College
Check start dates, admission steps and the current course list on Highland Community College's own site.
Visit highland.eduWhat Welders Earn in Illinois
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 47 Miles of Freeport
- Sauk Valley Community College32 mi · $5,340/yr
- Stautzenberger College-Rockford Career College33 mi · $16,699/yr
- Rock Valley College35 mi · $4,334/yr
- Blackhawk Technical College40 mi · $4,267/yr
- Kishwaukee College47 mi · $4,560/yr
Straight-line distance between campuses. All welding schools in Illinois
Highland Community College Welding FAQ
Does Highland Community College Have a Welding Program?
Yes. Highland Community College offers 2 certificates in welding at Highland Community College. Training covers stick (SMAW), MIG (GMAW), TIG (GTAW), oxy-fuel and plasma cutting, fabrication and blueprint reading.
How Much Does Welding School Cost at Highland Community College?
Highland Community College's 2024–25 tuition and fees were $4,936 for a full-time year (in-district) and $7,360 out of state, with books and supplies estimated at $725. Welding students also pay for tools, gear and lab fees.
How Long Is the Welding Program at Highland Community College?
Welding and Fabrication, Certificate (614): 23 credit hours. Basic Welding, Certificate (628): 16 credit hours.
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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