What Are the Best Welding Schools in South Dakota?
- Lake Area Technical College (Watertown) offers Welding Technology, Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) Degree and Welding Technology Diploma (exit point after first year).
- Southeast Technical College (Sioux Falls) offers Welding, Diploma (1-Year Diploma Program).
- Western Dakota Technical College (Rapid City) offers Welding and Fabrication, Associate of Applied Science and Welding and Fabrication, Diploma.
- Resident tuition and fees run from $6,718 to $8,294 a year (2024–25).
- South Dakota welders earn a median $49,440 a year (BLS, May 2025).
Compare Welding Programs in South Dakota
| College | Tuition and fees | Welding awards | Graduation rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lake Area Technical CollegeWatertown | $6,718 | 33 certificates, 21 associate | 73% |
| Southeast Technical CollegeSioux Falls | $7,650 | 34 certificates | 59% |
| Western Dakota Technical CollegeRapid City | $8,294 | 10 certificates, 12 associate | 54% |
| Mitchell Technical CollegeMitchell | $7,524 | 76% |
Welding programs in South Dakota. Tuition is the 2024–25 full-time resident rate and graduation rate is college-wide (NCES College Navigator). Welding awards are credentials conferred in welding (IPEDS). Blank cells mean no federal figure for that college.
Best Welding Schools in South Dakota by Goal: Top Ranked, Lowest Tuition and Highest Completion
Welding Schools in South Dakota, College by College
Lake Area Technical College
Offers an associate degree and a diploma in welding
- Tuition / year
- $6,718 all students, 2024–25
- Welding awards
- 54 conferred 2024–25
Teaches Stick · MIG · TIG · Pipe · Cutting · Fabrication
Southeast Technical College
Offers a diploma in welding
- Tuition / year
- $7,650 all students, 2024–25
- Welding awards
- 34 conferred 2024–25
Teaches Stick · MIG · TIG · Flux-cored · Fabrication · Inspection
Western Dakota Technical College
Offers an associate degree and a diploma in welding
- Tuition / year
- $8,294 all students, 2024–25
- Welding awards
- 22 conferred 2024–25
Teaches Stick · MIG · TIG · Cutting · Fabrication
Mitchell Technical College
Offers an associate degree, a diploma and a certificate in welding
- Tuition / year
- $7,524 all students, 2024–25
- Welding awards offered
- 3 certificates and degrees
Teaches MIG · TIG · Cutting · Fabrication · Robotic · Inspection
Tuition and welding awards: NCES College Navigator, 2024–25. Programs and processes: each school's own welding page, reviewed September 2026.
Welding Classes in South Dakota: When Programs Meet
Schedules as each college publishes them. Ask about evening sections and start dates before you apply.
- Lake Area Technical CollegeA.A.S.: 18 months (4 semesters); diploma: 9 months (2 semesters).
- Southeast Technical CollegeTwo-semester (1-year) diploma program.
- Western Dakota Technical CollegeAAS: 18-month program; diploma: 9-month program.
- Mitchell Technical CollegeAAS in four semesters plus a summer internship; diploma after two semesters.
What Welding School Costs in South Dakota: $6,718 to $8,294 a Year
Among the 4 South Dakota welding schools with federal figures, 2024–25 tuition and fees for a full-time year range from $6,718 at Lake Area Technical College to $8,294 at Western Dakota Technical College. Community colleges publish their in-district rate; students from outside the district or state pay more.
| School | City | Tuition and fees, 2024–25 |
|---|---|---|
| Lake Area Technical College | Watertown | $6,718 (all students) |
| Mitchell Technical College | Mitchell | $7,524 (all students) |
| Southeast Technical College | Sioux Falls | $7,650 (all students) |
| Western Dakota Technical College | Rapid City | $8,294 (all students) |
The six lowest rates. Source: NCES College Navigator.
Welder Salary in South Dakota: The Sioux City Area Pays the Most
| Metro area | Median pay | Top 10% earn more than | Welding jobs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sioux City | $58,230 | $72,800 | 440 |
| Sioux Falls | $55,200 | $80,120 | 850 |
| Rapid City | $51,690 | $71,000 | 200 |
Welder salary: annual wages for welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers in South Dakota (3,250 jobs); U.S. median $53,750. Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025.
Welding Schools by City in South Dakota
Welding Schools in South Dakota: FAQ
How Much Do Welding Schools in South Dakota Cost?
Full-time tuition and fees for 2024–25 at the South Dakota colleges on this page run from $6,718 to $8,294 for residents, before books, tools and protective gear.
How Long Does It Take to Become a Welder in South Dakota?
South Dakota programs publish awards from short certificates to associate degrees. For example, Lake Area Technical College lists Welding Technology, Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) Degree (71.5 credit hours) and Welding Technology Diploma (exit point after first year) (34.5 credit hours); Western Dakota Technical College lists Welding and Fabrication, Associate of Applied Science (63 credit hours) and Welding and Fabrication, Diploma (36 credit hours).
How Much Do Welders Make in South Dakota?
BLS estimates a median of $49,440 a year for welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers in South Dakota (May 2025), across 3,250 jobs. The lowest-paid 10% earn under $38,100 and the top 10% earn more than $63,380.
What Is the Best Welding School in South Dakota?
On federal data for program size, cost and completion, Lake Area Technical College ranks first among South Dakota colleges with verified welding programs, followed by Mitchell Technical College. The best fit depends on the credential you want and the campus you can reach.
How Many Welding Schools Are in South Dakota?
4 schools have a current welding program in South Dakota, each checked against the school's own program page, and 3 offer an associate degree.
What Is the Cheapest Welding School in South Dakota?
Lake Area Technical College had the lowest 2024–25 tuition and fees among South Dakota welding schools with federal figures: $6,718 for a full-time year (all students). Mitchell Technical College ($7,524) and Southeast Technical College ($7,650) follow.
Which South Dakota Welding Schools Offer an Associate Degree?
Lake Area Technical College, Mitchell Technical College and Western Dakota Technical College offer a welding associate degree, usually alongside shorter certificates.
Where Can You Test for AWS Certification in South Dakota?
Lake Area Technical College, Mitchell Technical College and Southeast Technical College and 1 other schools describe American Welding Society (AWS) testing or certification on their program pages. Each profile shows what the school offers.
Do I Need a Certification to Work as a Welder?
Many employers test welders on their own procedure before hiring. The American Welding Society's Certified Welder program is a performance test with no education or experience prerequisites, taken at an AWS Accredited Test Facility.
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More on Welding in South Dakota
Sources
- Official welding program pages of the 4 South Dakota colleges above (each college name links to its page), reviewed September 2026.
- U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS completions 2022–23 and College Navigator.
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025.
- American Welding Society, Certified Welder program.