What Does Rock Valley College Offer for Welding Students?
Rock Valley College in Rockford, Illinois offers 2 certificates in welding. Tuition and fees for 2024–25 were $4,334 for a full-time year (in-district). The school awarded 45 welding credentials in 2024–25. Best for learning robotic and automated welding.
From Stick Welding to Robotics: What Rock Valley College Teaches
Certificate-only program at an AWS accredited test facility, where the 31-credit advanced certificate ends with the chance to take a certification test on site.
- Stick (SMAW)
- MIG (GMAW)
- TIG (GTAW)
- Flux-cored (FCAW)
- Oxy-fuel and plasma cutting
- Fabrication and blueprint reading
- Robotic and automated weldingrobotic welding
Rock Valley College Welding Tuition: $4,334 a Year
- Tuition and fees
- $4,334 in-district, 2024–25
- Out of state
- $7,379 2024–25
- Books and supplies
- $1,600 2024–25 estimate
- Welding certificates awarded
- 45 2024–25
- Graduation rate
- 37% school-wide, Fall 2021 cohort
- Students enrolled
- 5,978 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.
2 Welding Certificates at Rock Valley College
| Award | Type | Length |
|---|---|---|
| Advanced Welding Certificate (WLD) #8218 | Certificate | 31 credit hours |
| Industrial Welding Certificate (WLD) #8219 | Certificate | 16 credit hours |
As listed on Rock Valley College's welding program page, reviewed September 25, 2026.
Welding Certification Testing at Rock Valley College
Testing. RVC is an American Welding Society accredited test facility, so students can take a certification test after completing the 31-credit certificate.
Where you'll Train: Advanced Technology Center
- Advanced Technology Center
Check start dates, admission steps and the current course list on Rock Valley College's own site.
Visit rockvalleycollege.eduWhat Welders Earn Around Rockford
Welders in the Rockford, IL metro area earn a median $50,200 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 35 Miles of Rockford
- Stautzenberger College-Rockford Career College4 mi · $16,699/yr
- Blackhawk Technical College20 mi · $4,267/yr
- Kishwaukee College26 mi · $4,560/yr
- McHenry County College32 mi · $4,162/yr
- Highland Community College35 mi · $4,936/yr
Straight-line distance between campuses. All welding schools in Illinois · Welding schools in Rockford
Rock Valley College Welding FAQ
Does Rock Valley College Have a Welding Program?
Yes. Rock Valley College offers 2 certificates in welding at Advanced Technology Center. Training covers stick (SMAW), MIG (GMAW), TIG (GTAW), flux-cored (FCAW), oxy-fuel and plasma cutting.
How Much Does Welding School Cost at Rock Valley College?
Rock Valley College's 2024–25 tuition and fees were $4,334 for a full-time year (in-district) and $7,379 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 Rock Valley College?
Advanced Welding Certificate (WLD) #8218: 31 credit hours. Industrial Welding Certificate (WLD) #8219: 16 credit hours.
Can You Get Welding Certified at Rock Valley College?
RVC is an American Welding Society accredited test facility, so students can take a certification test after completing the 31-credit certificate.
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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