What Does Rend Lake College Offer for Welding Students?
Rend Lake College in Ina, Illinois offers an associate degree and 5 certificates in welding through its Welding Technology program. Tuition and fees for 2024–25 were $4,500 for a full-time year (in-district). The school awarded 39 welding credentials in 2024–25. Best for earning a welding degree, not just a certificate.
Welding Degree and Certificates at Rend Lake College
| Award | Type | Length |
|---|---|---|
| Welding Technology AAS | Associate | |
| Welding Technology Certificate | Certificate | |
| Welding Fundamentals Certificate | Certificate | |
| Advanced Welding Techniques Certificate | Certificate | |
| Pipe Welding Technology Certificate | Certificate | |
| Advanced Metalworking Certificate | Certificate |
As listed on Rend Lake College's welding program page, reviewed September 25, 2026.
Rend Lake College Welding Tuition: $4,500 a Year
- Tuition and fees
- $4,500 in-district, 2024–25
- Out of state
- $7,800 2024–25
- Books and supplies
- $400 2024–25 estimate
- Welding certificates awarded
- 37 2024–25
- Welding associate degrees
- 2 2024–25
- Graduation rate
- 63% school-wide, Fall 2021 cohort
- Students enrolled
- 2,015 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 Rend Lake College
Self-paced At My Pace (A.M.P.) delivery and a stackable ladder from a 12-hour fundamentals certificate to a 65-hour AAS with two pipe welding courses.
- Stick (SMAW)
- MIG (GMAW)
- TIG (GTAW)
- Flux-cored (FCAW)
- Pipe welding
- Oxy-fuel and plasma cuttingoxy-acetylene
- Fabrication and blueprint reading
- Inspection and testing
Class Schedule and Certification Testing at Rend Lake College
Schedule. Offered with the At My Pace (A.M.P.) model, where students advance based on mastery rather than the calendar.
Testing. successful completion of all courses offered demonstrates the student’s readiness to take the American Welding Society certification examinations.
Where you'll Train: Rend Lake College
- Rend Lake College
Check start dates, admission steps and the current course list on Rend Lake College's own site.
Visit rlc.eduWhat Welders Earn in Illinois
Across Illinois, the median welder wage is $51,320 a year, from $38,890 at the 10th percentile to $76,730 at the 90th, with 16,260 welders employed. The national median is $53,750. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025.
5 More Welding Schools Within 61 Miles of Ina
- John A Logan College28 mi · $4,630/yr
- Kaskaskia College33 mi · $4,800/yr
- Southeastern Illinois College37 mi · $4,560/yr
- Shawnee Community College60 mi · $4,650/yr
- Southwestern Illinois College61 mi · $3,960/yr
Straight-line distance between campuses. All welding schools in Illinois
Rend Lake College Welding FAQ
Does Rend Lake College Have a Welding Program?
Yes. Rend Lake College offers an associate degree and 5 certificates in welding at Rend Lake College. Training covers stick (SMAW), MIG (GMAW), TIG (GTAW), flux-cored (FCAW), pipe welding.
How Much Does Welding School Cost at Rend Lake College?
Rend Lake College's 2024–25 tuition and fees were $4,500 for a full-time year (in-district) and $7,800 out of state, with books and supplies estimated at $400. Welding students also pay for tools, gear and lab fees.
Does Rend Lake College Offer Night or Weekend Welding Classes?
Offered with the At My Pace (A.M.P.) model, where students advance based on mastery rather than the calendar.
Can You Get Welding Certified at Rend Lake College?
successful completion of all courses offered demonstrates the student’s readiness to take the American Welding Society certification examinations.
How Much Do Welders Make in Illinois?
The median welder wage in Illinois is $51,320 a year, and the middle half earn between $46,500 and $61,520 (BLS, May 2025).
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