What Does Southern Union State Community College Offer for Welding Students?
Southern Union State Community College in Wadley, Alabama offers an associate degree and 3 certificates in welding through its Advanced Manufacturing with Concentration in Welding (Welding Technology) program. Tuition and fees for 2024–25 were $5,040 for a full-time year (in-state). The school awarded 87 welding credentials in 2024–25. Best for earning a welding degree, not just a certificate.
Welding Degree and Certificates at Southern Union State Community College
| Award | Type | Length |
|---|---|---|
| Welding Technology, Associate in Applied Science (AAS) | Associate | 72 credit hours |
| Basic Shielded Metal Arc Welding (stackable short-term certificate) | Certificate | 12 credit hours |
| Basic Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (stackable short-term certificate) | Certificate | 9 credit hours |
| Basic Gas Metal Arc Welding (stackable short-term certificate) | Certificate | 9 credit hours |
As listed on Southern Union State Community College's welding program page, reviewed September 25, 2026.
Southern Union State Community College Welding Tuition: $5,040 a Year
- Tuition and fees
- $5,040 in-state, 2024–25
- Out of state
- $8,910 2024–25
- Books and supplies
- $1,700 2024–25 estimate
- Welding certificates awarded
- 87 2024–25
- Graduation rate
- 36% school-wide, Fall 2021 cohort
- Students enrolled
- 5,063 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 Southern Union State Community College
Welding is framed as a concentration within Advanced Manufacturing, with an MSSC Safety course in the first term and required AWS SENSE third-party credentialing.
- 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
Welding Certification Testing at Southern Union State Community College
Testing. After completing the program, the student will have covered skills designated by the AWS (American Welding Society) and be prepared to take the AWS Entry Level Welder test.
Check start dates, admission steps and the current course list on Southern Union State Community College's own site.
Visit suscc.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 75 Miles of Wadley
- Central Alabama Community College26 mi · $5,110/yr
- West Georgia Technical College45 mi · $3,410/yr
- J F Ingram State Technical College61 mi
- Gadsden State Community College64 mi · $4,272/yr
- Southern Crescent Technical College75 mi · $3,516/yr
Straight-line distance between campuses. All welding schools in Alabama
Southern Union State Community College Welding FAQ
Does Southern Union State Community College Have a Welding Program?
Yes. Southern Union State Community College offers an associate degree and 3 certificates in welding. Training covers stick (SMAW), MIG (GMAW), TIG (GTAW), flux-cored (FCAW), pipe welding.
How Much Does Welding School Cost at Southern Union State Community College?
Southern Union State Community College's 2024–25 tuition and fees were $5,040 for a full-time year (in-state) and $8,910 out of state, with books and supplies estimated at $1,700. Welding students also pay for tools, gear and lab fees.
How Long Is the Welding Program at Southern Union State Community College?
Welding Technology, Associate in Applied Science (AAS): 72 credit hours. Basic Shielded Metal Arc Welding (stackable short-term certificate): 12 credit hours. Basic Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (stackable short-term certificate): 9 credit hours.
Can You Get Welding Certified at Southern Union State Community College?
After completing the program, the student will have covered skills designated by the AWS (American Welding Society) and be prepared to take the AWS Entry Level Welder test.
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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