What Does Richland Community College Offer for Welding Students?
Richland Community College in Decatur, Illinois offers an associate degree and 4 certificates in welding through its Welding Technology program. Tuition and fees for 2024–25 were $4,680 for a full-time year (in-district). The school awarded 32 welding credentials in 2024–25. Best for earning a welding degree, not just a certificate.
Welding Degree and Certificates at Richland Community College
| Award | Type | Length |
|---|---|---|
| Welding Technology Associate in Applied Science (0032) | Associate | 62 credit hours |
| Pipefitting and Pipe Welding Certificate (032B) | Certificate | 47 credit hours |
| Welding Technician Certificate (032A) | Certificate | 40 credit hours |
| Production Welding Certificate (0030) | Certificate | 30 credit hours |
| Basic Welding Certificate (032C) | Certificate | 12 credit hours |
As listed on Richland Community College's welding program page, reviewed September 25, 2026.
Richland Community College Welding Tuition: $4,680 a Year
- Tuition and fees
- $4,680 in-district, 2024–25
- Out of state
- $17,070 2024–25
- Books and supplies
- $1,500 2024–25 estimate
- Welding certificates awarded
- 30 2024–25
- Welding associate degrees
- 2 2024–25
- Graduation rate
- 60% school-wide, Fall 2021 cohort
- Students enrolled
- 2,388 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 Richland Community College
Richland splits welding toward construction/pipe trades or industrial maintenance, with a 47-credit Pipefitting and Pipe Welding certificate that includes pipefitting fundamentals and GMAW/FCAW pipe welding, and prepares students for ASME, AWS and NCCER exams.
- Stick (SMAW)
- MIG (GMAW)
- TIG (GTAW)
- Flux-cored (FCAW)
- Pipe welding
- Oxy-fuel and plasma cuttingoxy-fuel cutting, arc cutting
- Fabrication and blueprint readingpipefitting
Welding Certification Testing at Richland Community College
Testing. This program prepares students to take the certification exams reflecting the structural codes and standards set by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME 9), American Welding Society (AWS), and the National Center for Construction Education & Research (NCCER).
Where you'll Train: Richland Community College
- Richland Community College
Check start dates, admission steps and the current course list on Richland Community College's own site.
Visit richland.eduWhat Welders Earn Around Decatur
Welders in the Decatur, IL metro area earn a median $57,670 a year. 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 66 Miles of Decatur
- Midwest Technical Institute-Illinois37 mi
- Lincoln Land Community College40 mi · $3,744/yr
- Lake Land College42 mi · $4,415/yr
- Heartland Community College45 mi · $5,550/yr
- Illinois Central College66 mi · $4,800/yr
Straight-line distance between campuses. All welding schools in Illinois
Richland Community College Welding FAQ
Does Richland Community College Have a Welding Program?
Yes. Richland Community College offers an associate degree and 4 certificates in welding at Richland Community College. Training covers stick (SMAW), MIG (GMAW), TIG (GTAW), flux-cored (FCAW), pipe welding.
How Much Does Welding School Cost at Richland Community College?
Richland Community College's 2024–25 tuition and fees were $4,680 for a full-time year (in-district) and $17,070 out of state, with books and supplies estimated at $1,500. Welding students also pay for tools, gear and lab fees.
How Long Is the Welding Program at Richland Community College?
Welding Technology Associate in Applied Science (0032): 62 credit hours. Pipefitting and Pipe Welding Certificate (032B): 47 credit hours. Welding Technician Certificate (032A): 40 credit hours.
Can You Get Welding Certified at Richland Community College?
This program prepares students to take the certification exams reflecting the structural codes and standards set by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME 9), American Welding Society (AWS), and the National Center for Construction Education & Research (NCCER).
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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