What Does Wilkes Community College Offer for Welding Students?
Wilkes Community College in Wilkesboro, North Carolina offers a diploma and 4 certificates in welding through its Welding Technology program. Tuition and fees for 2024–25 were $2,572 for a full-time year (in-state). The school awarded 66 welding credentials in 2024–25. It runs evening classes. Best for working adults who need evening classes.
Class Schedule and Certification Testing at Wilkes Community College
Schedule. Diploma runs fall, spring and summer terms; Basic Welder/Fabricator certificate offered as an evening, competency-based program (next start October 14th, 2026).
Testing. Demonstrate the knowledge and abilities necessary to achieve “American Welding Society, (AWS)”certification.
Wilkes Community College Welding Tuition: $2,572 a Year
- Tuition and fees
- $2,572 in-state, 2024–25
- Out of state
- $8,716 2024–25
- Books and supplies
- $702 2024–25 estimate
- Welding certificates awarded
- 66 2024–25
- Graduation rate
- 55% school-wide, Fall 2021 cohort
- Students enrolled
- 2,593 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.
4 Welding Certificates at Wilkes Community College
| Award | Type | Length |
|---|---|---|
| Welding Technology (Diploma) | Diploma | |
| Basic Welding (Certificate) | Certificate | |
| MIG Welding Technology (Certificate) | Certificate | |
| Stick Welding Technology (Certificate) | Certificate | |
| Basic Welder/Fabricator Certificate (evening, competency-based) | Certificate | 17 credit hours |
As listed on Wilkes Community College's welding program page, reviewed September 25, 2026.
Plate, Pipe and Process Training at Wilkes Community College
Offers a competency-based evening Basic Welder/Fabricator certificate that lets experienced welders progress by demonstrating skills, alongside a three-term diploma that ends with a certification practices course.
- 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
Where you'll Train: Wilkes Community College
- Wilkes Community College
Check start dates, admission steps and the current course list on Wilkes Community College's own site.
Visit wilkescc.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 41 Miles of Wilkesboro
- Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute26 mi · $2,526/yr
- Mitchell Community College29 mi · $2,641/yr
- Catawba Valley Community College31 mi · $2,427/yr
- Western Piedmont Community College40 mi · $2,650/yr
- NASCAR Technical Institute41 mi
Straight-line distance between campuses. All welding schools in North Carolina
Wilkes Community College Welding FAQ
Does Wilkes Community College Have a Welding Program?
Yes. Wilkes Community College offers a diploma and 4 certificates in welding at Wilkes Community College. Training covers stick (SMAW), MIG (GMAW), TIG (GTAW), flux-cored (FCAW), pipe welding.
How Much Does Welding School Cost at Wilkes Community College?
Wilkes Community College's 2024–25 tuition and fees were $2,572 for a full-time year (in-state) and $8,716 out of state, with books and supplies estimated at $702. Welding students also pay for tools, gear and lab fees.
How Long Is the Welding Program at Wilkes Community College?
Basic Welder/Fabricator Certificate (evening, competency-based): 17 credit hours.
Does Wilkes Community College Offer Night or Weekend Welding Classes?
Diploma runs fall, spring and summer terms; Basic Welder/Fabricator certificate offered as an evening, competency-based program (next start October 14th, 2026).
Can You Get Welding Certified at Wilkes Community College?
Demonstrate the knowledge and abilities necessary to achieve “American Welding Society, (AWS)”certification.
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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