What Does William Rainey Harper College Offer for Welding Students?
William Rainey Harper College in Palatine, Illinois offers an associate degree and 4 certificates in welding through its Welding Technology program. Tuition and fees for 2024–25 were $3,894 for a full-time year (in-district). The school awarded 110 welding credentials in 2024–25. Best for earning a welding degree, not just a certificate.
Welding Degree and Certificates at William Rainey Harper College
| Award | Type | Length |
|---|---|---|
| Associate in Applied Science: Welding Technology | Associate | 60 credit hours |
| Advanced Welding Certificate | Certificate | 32 credit hours |
| Welding Fabrication Certificate | Certificate | 33 credit hours |
| Basic Pipe Welding Certificate | Certificate | 17 credit hours |
| Basic Welding Certificate | Certificate | 17 credit hours |
As listed on William Rainey Harper College's welding program page, reviewed September 25, 2026.
William Rainey Harper College Welding Tuition: $3,894 a Year
- Tuition and fees
- $3,894 in-district, 2024–25
- Out of state
- $11,874 2024–25
- Books and supplies
- $1,100 2024–25 estimate
- Welding certificates awarded
- 101 2024–25
- Welding associate degrees
- 9 2024–25
- Graduation rate
- 48% school-wide, Fall 2021 cohort
- Students enrolled
- 13,988 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 William Rainey Harper College
Certificates are mapped to AWS SENSE Level I and Level II standards, and the whole program can be taken in 8-week course blocks or through an apprenticeship.
- Stick (SMAW)
- MIG (GMAW)
- TIG (GTAW)
- Pipe welding
- Oxy-fuel and plasma cuttingcutting processes
- Fabrication and blueprint reading
Class Schedule and Certification Testing at William Rainey Harper College
Schedule. An entirely 8-week course format option is offered; apprenticeship option also listed.
Testing. Graduates meet the AWS SENSE training standards for certification as an AWS Level 1 Entry Welder.
Where you'll Train: Harper College
- Harper College
Check start dates, admission steps and the current course list on William Rainey Harper College's own site.
Visit harpercollege.eduWhat Welders Earn in Illinois
Across Illinois, the median welder wage is $51,320 a year, from $38,890 at the 10th percentile to $76,730 at the 90th, with 16,260 welders employed. The national median is $53,750. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025.
5 More Welding Schools Within 19 Miles of Palatine
- Elgin Community College14 mi · $3,252/yr
- Lincoln College of Technology-Melrose Park17 mi
- Triton College17 mi · $5,070/yr
- College of DuPage17 mi · $4,560/yr
- Universal Technical Institute of Illinois Inc19 mi
Straight-line distance between campuses. All welding schools in Illinois
William Rainey Harper College Welding FAQ
Does William Rainey Harper College Have a Welding Program?
Yes. William Rainey Harper College offers an associate degree and 4 certificates in welding at Harper College. Training covers stick (SMAW), MIG (GMAW), TIG (GTAW), pipe welding, oxy-fuel and plasma cutting.
How Much Does Welding School Cost at William Rainey Harper College?
William Rainey Harper College's 2024–25 tuition and fees were $3,894 for a full-time year (in-district) and $11,874 out of state, with books and supplies estimated at $1,100. Welding students also pay for tools, gear and lab fees.
How Long Is the Welding Program at William Rainey Harper College?
Associate in Applied Science: Welding Technology: 60 credit hours. Advanced Welding Certificate: 32 credit hours. Welding Fabrication Certificate: 33 credit hours.
Does William Rainey Harper College Offer Night or Weekend Welding Classes?
An entirely 8-week course format option is offered; apprenticeship option also listed.
Can You Get Welding Certified at William Rainey Harper College?
Graduates meet the AWS SENSE training standards for certification as an AWS Level 1 Entry Welder.
How Much Do Welders Make in Illinois?
The median welder wage in Illinois is $51,320 a year, and the middle half earn between $46,500 and $61,520 (BLS, May 2025).
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