What Does Kirkwood Community College Offer for Welding Students?
Kirkwood Community College in Cedar Rapids, Iowa offers an associate degree and a diploma in welding through its Advanced Welding Technologies program. Tuition and fees for 2024–25 were $6,176 for a full-time year (in-state). The school awarded 52 welding credentials in 2024–25. Best for earning a welding degree, not just a certificate.
Welding Degree and Certificates at Kirkwood Community College
| Award | Type | Length |
|---|---|---|
| Advanced Welding Technologies, A.A.S. | Associate | 73 credit hours |
| Entry-Level Welder Diploma | Diploma | 38 credit hours |
As listed on Kirkwood Community College's welding program page, reviewed September 25, 2026.
Kirkwood Community College Welding Tuition: $6,176 a Year
- Tuition and fees
- $6,176 in-state, 2024–25
- Out of state
- $8,220 2024–25
- Books and supplies
- $1,000 2024–25 estimate
- Welding certificates awarded
- 29 2024–25
- Welding associate degrees
- 23 2024–25
- Graduation rate
- 43% school-wide, Fall 2021 cohort
- Students enrolled
- 12,763 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.
Plate, Pipe and Process Training at Kirkwood Community College
Two-year AAS aiming at AWS SENSE 1 and SENSE 2 credentials, with 6G pipe and open-root certifications and virtual reality welding in training.
- Stick (SMAW)
- MIG (GMAW)
- TIG (GTAW)
- Flux-cored (FCAW)
- Pipe welding
- Oxy-fuel and plasma cuttingcutting processes
- Fabrication and blueprint reading
- Inspection and testing
Class Schedule and Certification Testing at Kirkwood Community College
Schedule. Program entry semester: Fall (2026-27).
Testing. Students can earn certifications to American Welding Society codes in shielded metal arc, gas metal arc and gas tungsten arc welding.
Check start dates, admission steps and the current course list on Kirkwood Community College's own site.
Visit kirkwood.eduWhat Welders Earn Around Cedar Rapids
Welders in the Cedar Rapids, IA metro area earn a median $56,750 a year. 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 71 Miles of Cedar Rapids
- Hawkeye Community College50 mi · $6,525/yr
- Eastern Iowa Community College District62 mi · $4,848/yr
- Marshalltown Community College65 mi · $5,496/yr
- Black Hawk College69 mi · $4,920/yr
- Indian Hills Community College71 mi · $5,040/yr
Straight-line distance between campuses. All welding schools in Iowa
Kirkwood Community College Welding FAQ
Does Kirkwood Community College Have a Welding Program?
Yes. Kirkwood Community College offers an associate degree and a diploma in welding. Training covers stick (SMAW), MIG (GMAW), TIG (GTAW), flux-cored (FCAW), pipe welding.
How Much Does Welding School Cost at Kirkwood Community College?
Kirkwood Community College's 2024–25 tuition and fees were $6,176 for a full-time year (in-state) and $8,220 out of state, with books and supplies estimated at $1,000. Welding students also pay for tools, gear and lab fees.
How Long Is the Welding Program at Kirkwood Community College?
Advanced Welding Technologies, A.A.S.: 73 credit hours. Entry-Level Welder Diploma: 38 credit hours.
Does Kirkwood Community College Offer Night or Weekend Welding Classes?
Program entry semester: Fall (2026-27).
Can You Get Welding Certified at Kirkwood Community College?
Students can earn certifications to American Welding Society codes in shielded metal arc, gas metal arc and gas tungsten arc welding.
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).
Latest Posts From the Blog
All posts
National · Cost
What Welding Books, Tools and Supplies Cost
Welding schools estimate $270 to $7,400 a year for books and supplies. See the lowest and highest, why they differ, and when gear costs more than tuition.

Virginia · Cost
How Much Does Welding School Cost in Virginia?
2024–25 tuition at Virginia welding schools, from $4,979 at New River Community College to $16,337 at Tidewater Tech-Trades, plus books and program length.

Florida · Cost
How Much Does Welding School Cost in Florida?
2024–25 welding tuition in Florida, from $2,496 at Eastern Florida State College to $3,930 at Ridge Technical College, plus full-program prices and books.