What Does South Texas College Offer for Welding Students?
South Texas College in McAllen, Texas offers an associate degree, 2 certificates and one other award in welding through its Welding Technology program. Tuition and fees for 2024–25 were $4,920 for a full-time year (in-district). The school awarded 521 welding credentials in 2024–25. Best for earning a welding degree, not just a certificate.
Welding Degree and Certificates at South Texas College
| Award | Type | Length |
|---|---|---|
| Welding Associate of Applied Science | Associate | four semesters |
| Combination Welding Certificate | Certificate | three semesters |
| Structural Welding Certificate | Certificate | two semesters |
| Welding Occupational Skills Award | Other |
As listed on South Texas College's welding program page, reviewed September 25, 2026.
Testing After STC
South Texas College says graduate candidates are eligible to take a welding performance qualification test, and its training covers fillet and V-groove welds in several positions.
South Texas College Welding Tuition: $4,920 a Year
- Tuition and fees
- $4,920 in-district, 2024–25
- Out of state
- $7,620 2024–25
- Books and supplies
- $1,600 2024–25 estimate
- Welding certificates awarded
- 479 2024–25
- Welding associate degrees
- 42 2024–25
- Graduation rate
- 27% school-wide, Fall 2018 cohort
- Students enrolled
- 27,431 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 South Texas College
STC stacks a short Occupational Skills Award tied to potential AWS D1.1 certification under two- and three-semester certificates and a four-semester AAS, with open-groove and pipe work reserved for the Combination certificate.
- Stick (SMAW)
- MIG (GMAW)
- TIG (GTAW)
- Flux-cored (FCAW)
- Pipe welding
- Fabrication and blueprint reading
Welding Certification Testing at South Texas College
Testing. Graduate candidates will be eligible to take a welding performance qualification test in accordance with American Welding Society, as used in the industry.
Where you'll Train: Technology Campus
- Technology Campus3700 W. Military Hwy., McAllen, TX 78503
Check start dates, admission steps and the current course list on South Texas College's own site.
Visit southtexascollege.eduWhat Welders Earn Around McAllen
Welders in the McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, TX metro area earn a median $39,710 a year. Across Texas, the median welder wage is $53,340 a year, from $38,380 at the 10th percentile to $80,240 at the 90th, with 52,000 welders employed. The national median is $53,750. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025.
4 More Welding Schools Within 36 Miles of McAllen
- MCI2 mi
- Southern Careers Institute-Pharr3 mi
- South Texas Vocational Technical Institute-Weslaco16 mi
- Southern Careers Institute-Harlingen36 mi
Straight-line distance between campuses. All welding schools in Texas
South Texas College Welding FAQ
Does South Texas College Have a Welding Program?
Yes. South Texas College offers an associate degree, 2 certificates and one other award in welding at Technology Campus. Training covers stick (SMAW), MIG (GMAW), TIG (GTAW), flux-cored (FCAW), pipe welding.
How Much Does Welding School Cost at South Texas College?
South Texas College's 2024–25 tuition and fees were $4,920 for a full-time year (in-district) and $7,620 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 South Texas College?
Welding Associate of Applied Science: four semesters. Combination Welding Certificate: three semesters. Structural Welding Certificate: two semesters.
Can You Get Welding Certified at South Texas College?
Graduate candidates will be eligible to take a welding performance qualification test in accordance with American Welding Society, as used in the industry.
How Much Do Welders Make in Texas?
The median welder wage in Texas is $53,340 a year, and the middle half earn between $45,750 and $64,770 (BLS, May 2025).
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