Fort Smith, ArkansasPublic, 4-Year

University of Arkansas-Fort Smith Welding Program

An associate degree and 5 certificates, $7,334 a year in tuition and fees, with training in stick (SMAW), MIG (GMAW), TIG (GTAW).

What Does University of Arkansas-Fort Smith Offer for Welding Students?

University of Arkansas-Fort Smith in Fort Smith, Arkansas offers an associate degree and 5 certificates in welding through its Welding Technology program. Tuition and fees for 2024–25 were $7,334 for a full-time year (in-state). The school awarded 47 welding credentials in 2024–25. Best for earning a welding degree, not just a certificate.

Welding Degree and Certificates at University of Arkansas-Fort Smith

AwardTypeLength
Associate of Applied Science in General Technology - WeldingAssociate
Technical Certificate in WeldingCertificate32 credit hours
Certificate of Proficiency - Arc WeldingCertificate12 credit hours
Certificate of Proficiency - MIG WeldingCertificate12 credit hours
Certificate of Proficiency - TIG WeldingCertificate12 credit hours
Certificate of Proficiency - Welding Fabrication and LayoutCertificate12 credit hours

As listed on University of Arkansas-Fort Smith's welding program page, reviewed September 25, 2026.

University of Arkansas-Fort Smith Welding Tuition: $7,334 a Year

Tuition and fees
$7,334
in-state, 2024–25
Out of state
$12,182
2024–25
Books and supplies
$1,416
2024–25 estimate
Welding certificates awarded
47
2024–25
Graduation rate
38%
school-wide, Fall 2018 cohort

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 University of Arkansas-Fort Smith's Welding Program

The AAS in General Technology - Welding holds ATMAE program accreditation and targets structural and high-pressure vessel certification standards.

  • Stick (SMAW)
  • MIG (GMAW)
  • TIG (GTAW)
  • Fabrication and blueprint reading

Welding Certification Testing at University of Arkansas-Fort Smith

Testing. This program develops skills that meet certification standards for both structural and high-pressure vessel welding.

Where you'll Train: UAFS (Baldor Technology Center)

  • UAFS (Baldor Technology Center)5210 Grand Avenue, Fort Smith, Arkansas 72913

Check start dates, admission steps and the current course list on University of Arkansas-Fort Smith's own site.

Visit uafs.edu

What Welders Earn Around Fort Smith

Welders in the Fort Smith, AR-OK metro area earn a median $46,630 a year. Across Arkansas, the median welder wage is $47,970 a year, from $37,380 at the 10th percentile to $62,830 at the 90th, with 6,150 welders employed. The national median is $53,750. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025.

5 More Welding Schools Within 82 Miles of Fort Smith

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

University of Arkansas-Fort Smith Welding FAQ

Does University of Arkansas-Fort Smith Have a Welding Program?

Yes. University of Arkansas-Fort Smith offers an associate degree and 5 certificates in welding at UAFS (Baldor Technology Center). Training covers stick (SMAW), MIG (GMAW), TIG (GTAW), fabrication and blueprint reading.

How Much Does Welding School Cost at University of Arkansas-Fort Smith?

University of Arkansas-Fort Smith's 2024–25 tuition and fees were $7,334 for a full-time year (in-state) and $12,182 out of state, with books and supplies estimated at $1,416. Welding students also pay for tools, gear and lab fees.

How Long Is the Welding Program at University of Arkansas-Fort Smith?

Technical Certificate in Welding: 32 credit hours. Certificate of Proficiency - Arc Welding: 12 credit hours. Certificate of Proficiency - MIG Welding: 12 credit hours.

Can You Get Welding Certified at University of Arkansas-Fort Smith?

This program develops skills that meet certification standards for both structural and high-pressure vessel welding.

How Much Do Welders Make in Arkansas?

The median welder wage in Arkansas is $47,970 a year, and the middle half earn between $42,950 and $55,280 (BLS, May 2025).

Latest Posts From the Blog

All posts

More on Welding in Arkansas

Sources

  1. uafs.edu: Welding Technology program page, reviewed September 25, 2026
  2. NCES College Navigator, IPEDS unit 108092
  3. BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025