What Does Southwestern Community College Offer for Welding Students?
Southwestern Community College in Sylva, North Carolina offers an associate degree, a diploma and a certificate in welding through its Welding Technology program. Tuition and fees for 2024–25 were $4,112 for a full-time year (in-state). The school awarded 35 welding credentials in 2024–25. Best for earning a welding degree, not just a certificate.
Welding Degree and Certificates at Southwestern Community College
| Award | Type | Length |
|---|---|---|
| Welding Technology, AAS | Associate | |
| Welding Technology Diploma | Diploma | |
| Welding Technology Certificate (also offered via CCP) | Certificate |
As listed on Southwestern Community College's welding program page, reviewed September 25, 2026.
Southwestern Community College Welding Tuition: $4,112 a Year
- Tuition and fees
- $4,112 in-state, 2024–25
- Out of state
- $13,184 2024–25
- Books and supplies
- $2,232 2024–25 estimate
- Welding certificates awarded
- 29 2024–25
- Welding associate degrees
- 6 2024–25
- Graduation rate
- 53% school-wide, Fall 2021 cohort
- Students enrolled
- 2,157 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 Southwestern Community College
The AAS adds CAD, industrial safety and a second fabrication course plus SMAW and GTAW pipe courses in the final semester, and a Swain High School-based instructor supports the CCP certificate.
- Stick (SMAW)
- MIG (GMAW)
- TIG (GTAW)
- Flux-cored (FCAW)
- Pipe welding
- Oxy-fuel and plasma cuttingcutting processes
- Fabrication and blueprint reading
- Inspection and testingwelding inspection, destructive and non-destructive testing
When Southwestern Community College Welding Classes Meet
Schedule. AAS over five semesters (Fall, Spring, Summer, Fall, Spring); diploma over three semesters; certificate over Fall and Spring.
Where you'll Train: Southwestern Community College
- Southwestern Community College
Check start dates, admission steps and the current course list on Southwestern Community College's own site.
Visit southwesterncc.eduWhat Welders Earn in North Carolina
Across North Carolina, the median welder wage is $50,590 a year, from $38,540 at the 10th percentile to $71,240 at the 90th, with 11,750 welders employed. The national median is $53,750. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025.
5 More Welding Schools Within 54 Miles of Sylva
- Haywood Community College20 mi · $2,580/yr
- Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College40 mi · $2,882/yr
- Blue Ridge Community College44 mi · $2,660/yr
- Tri-County Community College47 mi · $2,636/yr
- Tri-County Technical College54 mi · $4,448/yr
Straight-line distance between campuses. All welding schools in North Carolina
Southwestern Community College Welding FAQ
Does Southwestern Community College Have a Welding Program?
Yes. Southwestern Community College offers an associate degree, a diploma and a certificate in welding at Southwestern Community College. Training covers stick (SMAW), MIG (GMAW), TIG (GTAW), flux-cored (FCAW), pipe welding.
How Much Does Welding School Cost at Southwestern Community College?
Southwestern Community College's 2024–25 tuition and fees were $4,112 for a full-time year (in-state) and $13,184 out of state, with books and supplies estimated at $2,232. Welding students also pay for tools, gear and lab fees.
Does Southwestern Community College Offer Night or Weekend Welding Classes?
AAS over five semesters (Fall, Spring, Summer, Fall, Spring); diploma over three semesters; certificate over Fall and Spring.
How Much Do Welders Make in North Carolina?
The median welder wage in North Carolina is $50,590 a year, and the middle half earn between $45,400 and $60,870 (BLS, May 2025).
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