Which Welding Schools in the Rio Grande Valley Are Closest to Donna?
South Texas College (STC) in McAllen and TSTC Harlingen are the two welding schools in the Rio Grande Valley within reach of Donna. STC conferred 479 welding certificates and 42 associate degrees in 2024–25, the third-largest welding program in Texas, at $4,920 in-district. TSTC Harlingen offers a 16-month Welding Technology AAS at $7,212 a year.
McAllen or Harlingen: Which Valley Welding Program Fits
Both are large, but they're structured differently.
STC, McAllen
Welding runs at the Technology Campus in McAllen, with an Occupational Skills Award, a certificate, and an associate degree covering SMAW, GMAW, GTAW, and FCAW, fabrication, and blueprint reading.
TSTC Harlingen
Harlingen is one of six TSTC campuses offering the Welding Technology AAS, which TSTC says takes about 16 months. Its Structural Welding certificate takes about 12 months.
Job-Offer Guarantee
TSTC advertises a Money-Back Guarantee: a job offer within six months of graduation or a tuition refund. Read its conditions before you count on it.
Cost Difference
STC charged $4,920 a year in-district in 2024–25; TSTC, which has no district rate, charged $7,212 in-state.
Rio Grande Valley Welding Schools by the Numbers
| College | Tuition | Certificates | Associate | Completion |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| South Texas College | $4,920 | 479 | 42 | 27% |
| Texas State Technical College | $7,212in-state | 487 | 101 | 46% |
Tuition and fees for a full-time year and welding credentials conferred, both 2024–25; completion is the college-wide federal graduation rate. Source: NCES College Navigator, retrieved September 24, 2026. Blank cells mean the college reports no figure for that field.
Welding Programs in McAllen and Harlingen
Tuition on each card is the lowest 2024–25 full-time resident rate at these welding schools in the Rio Grande Valley.
South Texas College, McAllen, Texas
Offers an associate degree, 2 certificates and one other award in welding
- Tuition / year
- $4,920 in-district, 2024–25
- Welding awards
- 521 conferred 2024–25
Teaches Stick · MIG · TIG · Flux-cored · Pipe · Fabrication
Texas State Technical College, Abilene, Texas
Offers an associate degree and 3 certificates in welding
- Tuition / year
- $7,212 in-state, 2024–25
- Welding awards
- 588 conferred 2024–25
Teaches Pipe
Welding Schools Near Donna: How to Decide
Among welding schools in McAllen, STC is the lower-cost option, with a very large welding program. TSTC Harlingen suits you if you want a structured 16-month degree and value its job-offer guarantee. Both colleges prepare students for the weld tests employers and AWS certification require.
Welder Salary in Texas
Annual wages for welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers across Texas (52,000 jobs; U.S. median $53,750). Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025.
Rio Grande Valley Welding FAQ
How Much Does Welding School Cost in McAllen?
STC's 2024–25 tuition and fees were $4,920 a year in-district, with books estimated at $1,600.
How Long Does Welding School Take in Texas?
At TSTC, the Welding Technology AAS takes about 16 months and the Structural Welding certificate about 12 months. STC offers a shorter Occupational Skills Award as well as a certificate and an associate degree.
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Sources
Reviewed September 24, 2026.