What Does Southwestern Community College Offer for Welding Students?
Southwestern Community College in Creston, Iowa offers an associate degree, a diploma and a certificate in welding through its Welding Technology program. Tuition and fees for 2024–25 were $8,064 for a full-time year (in-state). The school awarded 33 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, Associate of Applied Science | Associate | |
| Welding Technology, Diploma | Diploma | |
| Welding Technology, Certificate | Certificate |
As listed on Southwestern Community College's welding program page, reviewed September 25, 2026.
Southwestern Community College Welding Tuition: $8,064 a Year
- Tuition and fees
- $8,064 in-state, 2024–25
- Out of state
- $8,316 2024–25
- Books and supplies
- $1,386 2024–25 estimate
- Welding certificates awarded
- 31 2024–25
- Welding associate degrees
- 2 2024–25
- Graduation rate
- 59% school-wide, Fall 2021 cohort
- Students enrolled
- 1,566 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.
From Stick Welding to Robotics: What Southwestern Community College Teaches
Offers AAS, diploma and a four-to-six-month certificate on the Creston campus, including CNC plasma operations and a welding capstone course.
- Stick (SMAW)
- MIG (GMAW)
- TIG (GTAW)
- Flux-cored (FCAW)
- Oxy-fuel and plasma cuttingoxy-fuel welding, flame cutting, CNC plasma
- Fabrication and blueprint reading
- Robotic and automated weldingCNC plasma
Where you'll Train: Creston Campus
- Creston campus
Check start dates, admission steps and the current course list on Southwestern Community College's own site.
Visit swcciowa.eduWhat Welders Earn in Iowa
Across Iowa, the median welder wage is $55,090 a year, from $45,590 at the 10th percentile to $65,250 at the 90th, with 9,270 welders employed. The national median is $53,750. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025.
5 More Welding Schools Within 98 Miles of Creston
- Des Moines Area Community College59 mi · $5,790/yr
- Iowa Western Community College75 mi · $6,930/yr
- Metropolitan Community College Area84 mi · $3,375/yr
- Iowa Central Community College98 mi · $5,496/yr
- Grand River Technical School98 mi
Straight-line distance between campuses. All welding schools in Iowa
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 Creston campus. Training covers stick (SMAW), MIG (GMAW), TIG (GTAW), flux-cored (FCAW), oxy-fuel and plasma cutting.
How Much Does Welding School Cost at Southwestern Community College?
Southwestern Community College's 2024–25 tuition and fees were $8,064 for a full-time year (in-state) and $8,316 out of state, with books and supplies estimated at $1,386. Welding students also pay for tools, gear and lab fees.
How Much Do Welders Make in Iowa?
The median welder wage in Iowa is $55,090 a year, and the middle half earn between $48,250 and $60,200 (BLS, May 2025).
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