North Mankato, MinnesotaPublic, 2-Year

South Central College Welding Program

A diploma and 2 certificates, $6,146 a year in tuition and fees, with training in stick (SMAW), MIG (GMAW), TIG (GTAW).

What Does South Central College Offer for Welding Students?

South Central College in North Mankato, Minnesota offers a diploma and 2 certificates in welding through its Welding Program program. Tuition and fees for 2024–25 were $6,146 for a full-time year (all students). The school awarded 57 welding credentials in 2024–25. Best for a fast start in welding with a certificate.

2 Welding Certificates at South Central College

AwardTypeLength
Welding - CertificateCertificate16 credit hours
Advanced Welding - CertificateCertificate16 credit hours
Welding and Machining Technology - DiplomaDiploma33 credit hours

As listed on South Central College's welding program page, reviewed September 25, 2026.

South Central College Welding Tuition: $6,146 a Year

Tuition and fees
$6,146
all students, 2024–25
Books and supplies
$1,250
2024–25 estimate
Welding certificates awarded
57
2024–25
Graduation rate
39%
school-wide, Fall 2021 cohort
Students enrolled
2,731
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.

What you'll Learn in South Central College's Welding Program

Short 16-credit welding and advanced welding certificates at two campuses, plus a 33-credit diploma combining welding with CNC machining (AWS and NIMS credentials), with Metallica Scholars funding available.

  • Stick (SMAW)
  • MIG (GMAW)GMAW-P
  • TIG (GTAW)
  • Flux-cored (FCAW)
  • Fabrication and blueprint reading

Class Schedule and Certification Testing at South Central College

Schedule. Program start semesters: Fall and Spring.

Testing. Students will have the opportunity earn a qualifications in AWS D1.1 in those processes.

2 Campuses Teach Welding at South Central College

  • North Mankato Campus1920 Lee Boulevard, North Mankato, MN 56003
  • Faribault Campus1225 Third Street SW, Faribault, MN 55021

Check start dates, admission steps and the current course list on South Central College's own site.

Visit southcentral.edu

What Welders Earn in Minnesota

Across Minnesota, the median welder wage is $60,280 a year, from $45,690 at the 10th percentile to $75,710 at the 90th, with 9,270 welders employed. The national median is $53,750. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025.

5 More Welding Schools Within 78 Miles of North Mankato

Straight-line distance between campuses. All welding schools in Minnesota

South Central College Welding FAQ

Does South Central College Have a Welding Program?

Yes. South Central College offers a diploma and 2 certificates in welding at North Mankato Campus, Faribault Campus. Training covers stick (SMAW), MIG (GMAW), TIG (GTAW), flux-cored (FCAW), fabrication and blueprint reading.

How Much Does Welding School Cost at South Central College?

South Central College's 2024–25 tuition and fees were $6,146 for a full-time year (all students), with books and supplies estimated at $1,250. Welding students also pay for tools, gear and lab fees.

How Long Is the Welding Program at South Central College?

Welding - Certificate: 16 credit hours. Advanced Welding - Certificate: 16 credit hours. Welding and Machining Technology - Diploma: 33 credit hours.

Does South Central College Offer Night or Weekend Welding Classes?

Program start semesters: Fall and Spring.

Can You Get Welding Certified at South Central College?

Students will have the opportunity earn a qualifications in AWS D1.1 in those processes.

How Much Do Welders Make in Minnesota?

The median welder wage in Minnesota is $60,280 a year, and the middle half earn between $50,960 and $65,410 (BLS, May 2025).

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Sources

  1. southcentral.edu: Welding Program program page, reviewed September 25, 2026
  2. NCES College Navigator, IPEDS unit 173911
  3. BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025