What Does Merced College Offer for Welding Students?
Merced College in Merced, California offers an associate degree and 3 certificates in welding through its Welding Technology program. Tuition and fees for 2024–25 were $1,200 for a full-time year (in-state). The school awarded 175 welding credentials in 2024–25. Best for earning a welding degree, not just a certificate.
Welding Degree and Certificates at Merced College
| Award | Type | Length |
|---|---|---|
| Welding Technology (AA) | Associate | |
| Introductory Pipe Welding Technology (CE) | Certificate | |
| Pipe Welding Technology (CM) | Certificate | |
| Welding Technology (CN) | Certificate |
As listed on Merced College's welding program page, reviewed September 25, 2026.
Merced College Welding Tuition: $1,200 a Year
- Tuition and fees
- $1,200 in-state, 2024–25
- Out of state
- $8,520 2024–25
- Books and supplies
- $938 2024–25 estimate
- Welding certificates awarded
- 167 2024–25
- Welding associate degrees
- 8 2024–25
- Graduation rate
- 36% school-wide, Fall 2021 cohort
- Students enrolled
- 12,472 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 Merced College
Merced pairs an AA with two pipe-welding certificates and a dedicated course (WELD 46) aimed at passing the AWS structural qualification test, with faculty at both the Merced and Los Banos campuses.
- Stick (SMAW)
- MIG (GMAW)
- TIG (GTAW)
- Pipe welding
- Oxy-fuel and plasma cuttingoxyacetylene, oxyacetylene cutting
- Fabrication and blueprint reading
Class Schedule and Certification Testing at Merced College
Schedule. Mode of Study: Hybrid, On Campus.
Testing. WELD 46 is structured to prepare students for and pass the structural AWS qualification test.
2 Campuses Teach Welding at Merced College
- Merced Campus
- Los Banos Campus60 G Street, Los Banos
Check start dates, admission steps and the current course list on Merced College's own site.
Visit mccd.eduWhat Welders Earn Around Merced
Welders in the Merced, CA metro area earn a median $50,340 a year. Across California, the median welder wage is $58,060 a year, from $44,520 at the 10th percentile to $81,940 at the 90th, with 26,060 welders employed. The national median is $53,750. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025.
5 More Welding Schools Within 54 Miles of Merced
- Modesto Junior College36 mi · $1,282/yr
- Madera Community College39 mi · $1,378/yr
- Columbia College48 mi · $1,282/yr
- Fresno City College54 mi · $1,334/yr
- Institute of Technology54 mi
Straight-line distance between campuses. All welding schools in California
Merced College Welding FAQ
Does Merced College Have a Welding Program?
Yes. Merced College offers an associate degree and 3 certificates in welding at Merced Campus, Los Banos Campus. Training covers stick (SMAW), MIG (GMAW), TIG (GTAW), pipe welding, oxy-fuel and plasma cutting.
How Much Does Welding School Cost at Merced College?
Merced College's 2024–25 tuition and fees were $1,200 for a full-time year (in-state) and $8,520 out of state, with books and supplies estimated at $938. Welding students also pay for tools, gear and lab fees.
Does Merced College Offer Night or Weekend Welding Classes?
Mode of Study: Hybrid, On Campus.
Can You Get Welding Certified at Merced College?
WELD 46 is structured to prepare students for and pass the structural AWS qualification test.
How Much Do Welders Make in California?
The median welder wage in California is $58,060 a year, and the middle half earn between $48,480 and $70,400 (BLS, May 2025).
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