Council Bluffs, IowaPublic, 2-Year

Iowa Western Community College Welding Program

A diploma and one other award, $6,930 a year in tuition and fees, with training in stick (SMAW), MIG (GMAW), TIG (GTAW).

What Does Iowa Western Community College Offer for Welding Students?

Iowa Western Community College in Council Bluffs, Iowa offers a diploma and one other award in welding through its Welding Technology Diploma program. Tuition and fees for 2024–25 were $6,930 for a full-time year (in-state). The school awarded 77 welding credentials in 2024–25. Best for training for pipe welding work.

Plate, Pipe and Process Training at Iowa Western Community College

Pairs a two-semester credit diploma with pipe welding against a non-credit daytime 'Weld to Work' pathway whose fee includes on-site AWS certification testing.

  • Stick (SMAW)
  • MIG (GMAW)
  • TIG (GTAW)
  • Pipe welding
  • Oxy-fuel and plasma cuttingoxy-acetylene welding and brazing
  • Fabrication and blueprint reading
  • Inspection and testing

Iowa Western Community College Welding Tuition: $6,930 a Year

Tuition and fees
$6,930
in-state, 2024–25
Out of state
$7,080
2024–25
Books and supplies
$1,290
2024–25 estimate
Welding certificates awarded
77
2024–25
Graduation rate
40%
school-wide, Fall 2021 cohort
Students enrolled
5,540
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 Programs at Iowa Western Community College

AwardTypeLength
Welding Technology DiplomaDiploma28.5 credit hours
Weld to Work (Continuing Education stackable certificate program)Other

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

Class Schedule and Certification Testing at Iowa Western Community College

Schedule. Diploma: two-semester recommended sequence. Weld to Work (CE): Monday-Thursday, 8:00am-12:00pm, e.g. Oct 5-Dec 17, 2026 and Jan 25-Apr 8, 2027.

Testing. Weld to Work: AWS certification testing takes place on site, and the fee is included in registration.

2 Campuses Teach Welding at Iowa Western Community College

  • Council Bluffs Campus2700 College Rd.
  • 23rd Ave Business & Community Training Center (Weld to Work)

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

Visit iwcc.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 98 Miles of Council Bluffs

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

Iowa Western Community College Welding FAQ

Does Iowa Western Community College Have a Welding Program?

Yes. Iowa Western Community College offers a diploma and one other award in welding at Council Bluffs Campus, 23rd Ave Business & Community Training Center (Weld to Work). Training covers stick (SMAW), MIG (GMAW), TIG (GTAW), pipe welding, oxy-fuel and plasma cutting.

How Much Does Welding School Cost at Iowa Western Community College?

Iowa Western Community College's 2024–25 tuition and fees were $6,930 for a full-time year (in-state) and $7,080 out of state, with books and supplies estimated at $1,290. Welding students also pay for tools, gear and lab fees.

How Long Is the Welding Program at Iowa Western Community College?

Welding Technology Diploma: 28.5 credit hours.

Does Iowa Western Community College Offer Night or Weekend Welding Classes?

Diploma: two-semester recommended sequence. Weld to Work (CE): Monday-Thursday, 8:00am-12:00pm, e.g. Oct 5-Dec 17, 2026 and Jan 25-Apr 8, 2027.

Can You Get Welding Certified at Iowa Western Community College?

Weld to Work: AWS certification testing takes place on site, and the fee is included in registration.

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. iwcc.edu: Welding Technology Diploma program page, reviewed September 25, 2026
  2. NCES College Navigator, IPEDS unit 153630
  3. BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025