What Does Western Technical College Offer for Welding Students?
Western Technical College in La Crosse, Wisconsin offers 2 diplomas in welding through its Welding & Fabrication (Technical Diploma) program. Tuition and fees for 2024–25 were $4,820 for a full-time year (in-state). The school awarded 37 welding credentials in 2024–25. Best for a fast start in welding with a certificate.
Welding Programs at Western Technical College
| Award | Type | Length |
|---|---|---|
| Welding & Fabrication Technical Diploma (314421) | Diploma | 31 credit hours |
| Welding Technician Technical Diploma (304571) | Diploma | 15 credit hours |
As listed on Western Technical College's welding program page, reviewed September 25, 2026.
Western Technical College Welding Tuition: $4,820 a Year
- Tuition and fees
- $4,820 in-state, 2024–25
- Out of state
- $7,078 2024–25
- Books and supplies
- $1,464 2024–25 estimate
- Welding certificates awarded
- 37 2024–25
- Graduation rate
- 34% school-wide, Fall 2021 cohort
- Students enrolled
- 3,625 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.
What you'll Learn in Western Technical College's Welding Program
Western offers a compact pathway: a one-term, 15-credit Welding Technician diploma that is fully embedded in the two-term Welding & Fabrication diploma at La Crosse.
- Stick (SMAW)
- MIG (GMAW)
- TIG (GTAW)
- Flux-cored (FCAW)
- Oxy-fuel and plasma cuttingthermal cutting
- Fabrication and blueprint reading
- Inspection and testing
When Western Technical College Welding Classes Meet
Schedule. Fall start; in-person; 2 terms (Welding Technician: one term).
Where you'll Train: La Crosse
- La Crosse
Check start dates, admission steps and the current course list on Western Technical College's own site.
Visit westerntc.eduWhat Welders Earn Around La Crosse
Welders in the La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN metro area earn a median $58,800 a year. Across Wisconsin, the median welder wage is $58,410 a year, from $47,060 at the 10th percentile to $70,720 at the 90th, with 15,320 welders employed. The national median is $53,750. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025.
5 More Welding Schools Within 107 Miles of La Crosse
- Chippewa Valley Technical College69 mi · $4,844/yr
- Mid-State Technical College83 mi · $5,002/yr
- Riverland Community College88 mi · $6,298/yr
- North Iowa Area Community College105 mi · $6,653/yr
- Madison Area Technical College107 mi · $4,977/yr
Straight-line distance between campuses. All welding schools in Wisconsin
Western Technical College Welding FAQ
Does Western Technical College Have a Welding Program?
Yes. Western Technical College offers 2 diplomas in welding at La Crosse. Training covers stick (SMAW), MIG (GMAW), TIG (GTAW), flux-cored (FCAW), oxy-fuel and plasma cutting.
How Much Does Welding School Cost at Western Technical College?
Western Technical College's 2024–25 tuition and fees were $4,820 for a full-time year (in-state) and $7,078 out of state, with books and supplies estimated at $1,464. Welding students also pay for tools, gear and lab fees.
How Long Is the Welding Program at Western Technical College?
Welding & Fabrication Technical Diploma (314421): 31 credit hours. Welding Technician Technical Diploma (304571): 15 credit hours.
Does Western Technical College Offer Night or Weekend Welding Classes?
Fall start; in-person; 2 terms (Welding Technician: one term).
How Much Do Welders Make in Wisconsin?
The median welder wage in Wisconsin is $58,410 a year, and the middle half earn between $50,320 and $62,220 (BLS, May 2025).
Latest Posts From the Blog
All posts
National · Cost
What Welding Books, Tools and Supplies Cost
Welding schools estimate $270 to $7,400 a year for books and supplies. See the lowest and highest, why they differ, and when gear costs more than tuition.

Florida · Cost
How Much Does Welding School Cost in Florida?
2024–25 welding tuition in Florida, from $2,496 at Eastern Florida State College to $3,930 at Ridge Technical College, plus full-program prices and books.

Arizona · Cost
How Much Does Welding School Cost in Arizona?
2024–25 welding tuition in Arizona: $2,208 at Mohave to $2,948 at Yavapai. Full-program prices from $3,560 to $16,950, plus books and out-of-state rates.