What Does Mountain Empire Community College Offer for Welding Students?
Mountain Empire Community College in Big Stone Gap, Virginia offers an associate degree and 3 certificates in welding through its Welding (Technical Studies) program. Tuition and fees for 2024–25 were $5,007 for a full-time year (in-state). The school awarded 55 welding credentials in 2024–25. Best for earning a welding degree, not just a certificate.
Welding Degree and Certificates at Mountain Empire Community College
| Award | Type | Length |
|---|---|---|
| Welding, AAS (718-02) | Associate | 67 credits |
| Welding, C (995) | Certificate | 50 credits |
| Welding Operator I, CSC (221-995-01) | Certificate | 16 credits |
| Welding Operator II, CSC (221-995-02) | Certificate | 16 credits |
As listed on Mountain Empire Community College's welding program page, reviewed September 25, 2026.
Mountain Empire Community College Welding Tuition: $5,007 a Year
- Tuition and fees
- $5,007 in-state, 2024–25
- Out of state
- $11,445 2024–25
- Books and supplies
- $1,780 2024–25 estimate
- Welding certificates awarded
- 55 2024–25
- Graduation rate
- 48% school-wide, Fall 2021 cohort
- Students enrolled
- 2,116 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 Mountain Empire Community College
MECC's welding ladder builds NCCER Core and Welding Level 1-2 credentials into two 16-credit CSCs, a 50-credit certificate and a 67-credit AAS aimed at mining, manufacturing and construction employers.
- Stick (SMAW)
- MIG (GMAW)
- TIG (GTAW)
- Flux-cored (FCAW)
- Pipe welding
- Oxy-fuel and plasma cuttingoxyfuel and plasma arc cutting
- Fabrication and blueprint reading
Class Schedule and Certification Testing at Mountain Empire Community College
Schedule. Certificate sequence runs First Year Fall, Spring and Summer plus a Second Year Fall course; AAS runs two years including a summer term.
Testing. Catalog marks eligibility points: 'Students Are Eligible For NCCER Construction Core And Welding Level One Certification' (fall) and Welding Level Two (spring).
Check start dates, admission steps and the current course list on Mountain Empire Community College's own site.
Visit catalog.mecc.eduWhat Welders Earn in Virginia
Across Virginia, the median welder wage is $59,180 a year, from $42,520 at the 10th percentile to $79,630 at the 90th, with 10,100 welders employed. The national median is $53,750. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025.
5 More Welding Schools Within 47 Miles of Big Stone Gap
- Southeast Kentucky Community & Technical College15 mi · $4,728/yr
- Northeast State Community College32 mi · $4,782/yr
- Hazard Community and Technical College35 mi · $4,728/yr
- Virginia Highlands Community College43 mi · $5,022/yr
- Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Elizabethton47 mi
Straight-line distance between campuses. All welding schools in Virginia
Mountain Empire Community College Welding FAQ
Does Mountain Empire Community College Have a Welding Program?
Yes. Mountain Empire Community College offers an associate degree and 3 certificates in welding. Training covers stick (SMAW), MIG (GMAW), TIG (GTAW), flux-cored (FCAW), pipe welding.
How Much Does Welding School Cost at Mountain Empire Community College?
Mountain Empire Community College's 2024–25 tuition and fees were $5,007 for a full-time year (in-state) and $11,445 out of state, with books and supplies estimated at $1,780. Welding students also pay for tools, gear and lab fees.
How Long Is the Welding Program at Mountain Empire Community College?
Welding, AAS (718-02): 67 credits. Welding, C (995): 50 credits. Welding Operator I, CSC (221-995-01): 16 credits.
Does Mountain Empire Community College Offer Night or Weekend Welding Classes?
Certificate sequence runs First Year Fall, Spring and Summer plus a Second Year Fall course; AAS runs two years including a summer term.
Can You Get Welding Certified at Mountain Empire Community College?
Catalog marks eligibility points: 'Students Are Eligible For NCCER Construction Core And Welding Level One Certification' (fall) and Welding Level Two (spring).
How Much Do Welders Make in Virginia?
The median welder wage in Virginia is $59,180 a year, and the middle half earn between $49,020 and $65,400 (BLS, May 2025).
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