What Does Northwest Shoals Community College Offer for Welding Students?
Northwest Shoals Community College in Phil Campbell, Alabama offers an associate degree and 6 certificates in welding. Tuition and fees for 2024–25 were $5,131 for a full-time year (in-state). The school awarded 168 welding credentials in 2024–25. Best for earning a welding degree, not just a certificate.
Welding Degree and Certificates at Northwest Shoals Community College
| Award | Type | Length |
|---|---|---|
| Welding - AOT (Associate in Occupational Technology) | Associate | 63-64 credit hours |
| Welding - Certificate | Certificate | 54 credit hours |
| Welding Technology Basic (short-term certificate) | Certificate | 24 credit hours |
| Welding Basic SMAW (Stick) (short-term certificate) | Certificate | 12 credit hours |
| Welding FCAW/GMAW (MIG/Flux Cored) (short-term certificate) | Certificate | 12 credit hours |
| Welding GTAW Plate and Pipe (TIG) (short-term certificate) | Certificate | 12 credit hours |
| Welding SMAW Groove and Pipe (STICK) (short-term certificate) | Certificate | 12 credit hours |
As listed on Northwest Shoals Community College's welding program page, reviewed September 25, 2026.
Northwest Shoals Community College Welding Tuition: $5,131 a Year
- Tuition and fees
- $5,131 in-state, 2024–25
- Out of state
- $9,001 2024–25
- Books and supplies
- $1,600 2024–25 estimate
- Welding certificates awarded
- 168 2024–25
- Graduation rate
- 39% school-wide, Fall 2021 cohort
- Students enrolled
- 4,665 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 Northwest Shoals Community College
The AOT pairs a 36-hour welding major with a required 12-hour Automotive Manufacturing Technology minor, and four 12-hour process-specific short-term certificates (stick, MIG/flux-core, TIG, groove/pipe) let students stack credentials.
- Stick (SMAW)
- MIG (GMAW)
- TIG (GTAW)
- Flux-cored (FCAW)
- Pipe welding
- Oxy-fuel and plasma cuttingoxy-fuel cutting, plasma arc cutting, carbon arc cutting
- Fabrication and blueprint reading
- Inspection and testing
Welding Certification Testing at Northwest Shoals Community College
Testing. Students should develop the skills necessary to pass a certification test that meets the requirements of the American Welding Society (AWS) D1.1 code.
2 Campuses Teach Welding at Northwest Shoals Community College
- Phil Campbell Campus
- Shoals Campus
Check start dates, admission steps and the current course list on Northwest Shoals Community College's own site.
Visit nwscc.eduWhat Welders Earn in Alabama
Across Alabama, the median welder wage is $48,490 a year, from $36,710 at the 10th percentile to $66,820 at the 90th, with 12,450 welders employed. The national median is $53,750. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025.
5 More Welding Schools Within 88 Miles of Phil Campbell
- Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Pulaski49 mi
- Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Hohenwald56 mi
- Bevill State Community College67 mi · $4,734/yr
- George C Wallace State Community College-Hanceville69 mi · $5,220/yr
- Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Shelbyville88 mi
Straight-line distance between campuses. All welding schools in Alabama
Northwest Shoals Community College Welding FAQ
Does Northwest Shoals Community College Have a Welding Program?
Yes. Northwest Shoals Community College offers an associate degree and 6 certificates in welding at Phil Campbell Campus, Shoals Campus. Training covers stick (SMAW), MIG (GMAW), TIG (GTAW), flux-cored (FCAW), pipe welding.
How Much Does Welding School Cost at Northwest Shoals Community College?
Northwest Shoals Community College's 2024–25 tuition and fees were $5,131 for a full-time year (in-state) and $9,001 out of state, with books and supplies estimated at $1,600. Welding students also pay for tools, gear and lab fees.
How Long Is the Welding Program at Northwest Shoals Community College?
Welding - AOT (Associate in Occupational Technology): 63-64 credit hours. Welding - Certificate: 54 credit hours. Welding Technology Basic (short-term certificate): 24 credit hours.
Can You Get Welding Certified at Northwest Shoals Community College?
Students should develop the skills necessary to pass a certification test that meets the requirements of the American Welding Society (AWS) D1.1 code.
How Much Do Welders Make in Alabama?
The median welder wage in Alabama is $48,490 a year, and the middle half earn between $40,080 and $60,120 (BLS, May 2025).
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