What Are the Best Welding Schools in Virginia?
- Advanced Technology Institute (Virginia Beach) offers Maritime Welding Technology (Diploma) and Associate in Occupational Science, Trades Leadership with Specialization in Maritime Welding Technology.
- New River Community College (Dublin) offers Welding Technology Certificate and Advanced Welder CSC.
- Tidewater Tech-Trades (Norfolk) offers Combination Welding and Combination Maritime Welding.
- Resident tuition and fees run from $4,979 to $16,337 a year (2024–25).
- Welding classes in Virginia: 1 of the verified welding programs in Virginia list evening or weekend sections.
- Virginia welders earn a median $59,180 a year (BLS, May 2025).
Advanced Technology Institute Leads the Virginia Welding School Rankings
| # | College | Tuition and fees | Welding awards | Graduation rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Advanced Technology InstituteVirginia Beach | $14,568 | 41 certificates, 30 associate | 79% |
| 2 | New River Community CollegeDublin | $4,979 | 67 certificates | 50% |
| 3 | Tidewater Tech-TradesNorfolk | $16,337 | 257 certificates | 71% |
| 4 | Central Virginia Community CollegeLynchburg | $5,157 | 101 certificates | 45% |
| 5 | Southside Virginia Community CollegeKeysville | $5,007 | 73 certificates | 42% |
| 6 | Patrick & Henry Community CollegeMartinsville | $5,002 | 61 certificates | 42% |
| 7 | Mountain Empire Community CollegeBig Stone Gap | $5,007 | 55 certificates | 48% |
| 8 | Danville Community CollegeDanville | $4,992 | 46 certificates | 39% |
| 9 | Tidewater Community CollegePortsmouth | $5,588 | 83 certificates | 32% |
| 10 | Southwest Virginia Community CollegeCedar Bluff | $5,075 | 45 certificates | 46% |
| 11 | Brightpoint Community CollegeChester | $5,082 | 58 certificates | 38% |
| 12 | Virginia Highlands Community CollegeAbingdon | $5,022 | 35 certificates | 40% |
| 13 | Northern Virginia Community CollegeManassas | $5,891 | 10 certificates | 33% |
Welding programs in Virginia, ranked by the method below. 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.
How We Ranked Virginia Welding Schools
Each Virginia college with a verified, current welding program page gets a percentile score among its in-state peers: program size (35%, welding awards conferred), cost (25%, lowest resident tuition and fees for 2024–25), completion (25%, college-wide graduation rate) and credential ladder (15%, both certificates and associate degrees awarded). Federal data can't measure instructors or equipment, so visit the shop before you enroll.
Best Welding Schools in Virginia by Goal: Top Ranked, Lowest Tuition, Most Welding Awards, Working Adults and Highest Completion
Welding Schools in Virginia, College by College
1Advanced Technology Institute
Offers an associate degree and a diploma in welding
- Tuition / year
- $14,568 all students, 2024–25
- Welding awards
- 71 conferred 2024–25
Teaches Stick · MIG · TIG · Flux-cored · Pipe · Fabrication
2New River Community College
Offers 4 certificates and one other award in welding
- Tuition / year
- $4,979 in-state, 2024–25
- Welding awards
- 67 conferred 2024–25
Teaches Stick · MIG · TIG · Flux-cored · Pipe · Cutting
3Tidewater Tech-Trades
Offers 2 other awards in welding
- Tuition / year
- $16,337 all students, 2024–25
- Welding awards
- 257 conferred 2024–25
Teaches Stick · MIG · TIG · Flux-cored · Pipe · Cutting
4Central Virginia Community College
Offers an associate degree, 2 certificates and one other award in welding
- Tuition / year
- $5,157 in-state, 2024–25
- Welding awards
- 101 conferred 2024–25
Teaches Stick · MIG · TIG · Flux-cored · Pipe · Fabrication
5Southside Virginia Community College
Offers 2 certificates and one other award in welding
- Tuition / year
- $5,007 in-state, 2024–25
- Welding awards
- 73 conferred 2024–25
Teaches Stick · MIG · TIG · Flux-cored · Fabrication
6Patrick &Amp; Henry Community College
Offers 3 certificates in welding
- Tuition / year
- $5,002 in-state, 2024–25
- Welding awards
- 61 conferred 2024–25
Teaches Stick · MIG · TIG · Flux-cored · Pipe · Fabrication
7Mountain Empire Community College
Offers an associate degree and 3 certificates in welding
- Tuition / year
- $5,007 in-state, 2024–25
- Welding awards
- 55 conferred 2024–25
Teaches Stick · MIG · TIG · Flux-cored · Pipe · Cutting
8Danville Community College
Offers a diploma, 2 certificates and one other award in welding
- Tuition / year
- $4,992 in-state, 2024–25
- Welding awards
- 46 conferred 2024–25
Teaches Stick · MIG · TIG · Pipe · Cutting · Fabrication
9Tidewater Community College
Offers 2 certificates in welding
- Tuition / year
- $5,588 in-state, 2024–25
- Welding awards
- 83 conferred 2024–25
Teaches Pipe · Cutting · Fabrication
10Southwest Virginia Community College
Offers a diploma and 4 certificates in welding
- Tuition / year
- $5,075 in-state, 2024–25
- Welding awards
- 45 conferred 2024–25
Teaches Stick · MIG · TIG · Flux-cored · Pipe · Cutting
11Brightpoint Community College
Offers 2 certificates in welding
- Tuition / year
- $5,082 in-state, 2024–25
- Welding awards
- 58 conferred 2024–25
Teaches Stick · MIG · TIG · Flux-cored · Cutting · Fabrication
12Virginia Highlands Community College
Offers an associate degree, 2 certificates and one other award in welding
- Tuition / year
- $5,022 in-state, 2024–25
- Welding awards
- 35 conferred 2024–25
Teaches Stick · MIG · TIG · Flux-cored · Pipe · Cutting
13Northern Virginia Community College
Offers 2 certificates in welding
- Tuition / year
- $5,891 in-state, 2024–25
- Welding awards
- 10 conferred 2024–25
Teaches Stick · MIG · TIG · Flux-cored · Pipe · Cutting
Tuition and welding awards: NCES College Navigator, 2024–25. Programs and processes: each school's own welding page, reviewed September 2026.
Welding Classes in Virginia: One Program Teaches Nights or Weekends
Schedules as each college publishes them. Ask about evening sections and start dates before you apply.
- Tidewater Tech-TradesFull-time students could graduate in 33 weeks (Combination Welding) or approximately 48 weeks (Combination Maritime Welding).
- Southside Virginia Community CollegeDual enrollment classes Monday-Friday, 8:30am-11:00am at the John H. Daniel Campus (Keysville) and 8am-11am at the Lake Country Advanced Knowledge Center (South Hill). The workforce GMAW program is scheduled to resume in 2027.
- Danville Community CollegeDiploma: 5 semesters, full-time; Certificate: 3 semesters; Basic Welding CSC: 1-2 semesters. Workforce GMAW training: 8 weeks, Mon & Tue, 4p - 7p.
- New River Community CollegeCertificate is a two-semester (one year) program; curriculum allows full-time or part-time attendance.
- Advanced Technology InstituteStudents attend class five (5) hours per day, four (4) days per week on various schedules; diploma approximately 15 months, AOS approximately 18 months (including breaks and holidays).
- Patrick & Henry Community CollegeAdvising sheet lays the Industrial Welding Certificate out over three semesters (15, 15 and 9 credits).
- Tidewater Community CollegeCertificate: 3 semesters; Welding Essentials: 2 semesters.
- Mountain Empire Community CollegeCertificate sequence runs First Year Fall, Spring and Summer plus a Second Year Fall course; AAS runs two years including a summer term.
- Brightpoint Community CollegeDescribed as a one-year program.
- Virginia Highlands Community CollegeTwo semesters for the day cohort and three semesters for the night cohort; evening coursework lets students continue employment. Aluminum Welding Level 4: 12 weeks, Monday, Tuesday & Thursday 4:45-8:15 p.m. (next start September 8, 2026).
- Southwest Virginia Community CollegeDiploma: 2 years - 4 semesters; Welding CSC and Advanced Welding and Fabrication CSC: one year - two semesters; Welding Fundamentals and Semi-Automated Welding CSCs: one semester.
- Northern Virginia Community CollegeBasic Techniques CSC: one year, structured so students can pursue courses part-time, with several courses in 7-week sessions. Advanced CSC: two semesters.
More Welding Programs in Virginia: Colleges That Award Welding Credentials
Welding credentials each college conferred in 2022–23 (IPEDS). Confirm current program details with each college.
- Centura College-Richmond Main, North Chesterfield27
- Virginia Western Community College, Roanoke25
- Wytheville Community College, Wytheville13
- J Sargeant Reynolds Community College, Richmond13
- Eastern Shore Community College, Melfa13
- Mountain Gateway Community College, Clifton Forge6
- Paul D Camp Community College, Franklin3
What Welding School Costs in Virginia: $4,979 to $16,337 a Year
Among the 13 Virginia welding schools with federal figures, 2024–25 tuition and fees for a full-time year range from $4,979 at New River Community College to $16,337 at Tidewater Tech-Trades. Community colleges publish their in-district rate; students from outside the district or state pay more. See the Welding School Cost in Virginia guide for books, program length and how to cut costs.
| School | City | Tuition and fees, 2024–25 |
|---|---|---|
| New River Community College | Dublin | $4,979 (in-state) |
| Danville Community College | Danville | $4,992 (in-state) |
| Patrick & Henry Community College | Martinsville | $5,002 (in-state) |
| Mountain Empire Community College | Big Stone Gap | $5,007 (in-state) |
| Southside Virginia Community College | Keysville | $5,007 (in-state) |
| Virginia Highlands Community College | Abingdon | $5,022 (in-state) |
The six lowest rates. Source: NCES College Navigator.
Welder Salary in Virginia: The Staunton Area Pays the Most
For pay by metro area and by welding job, see Welder Salary in Virginia.
| Metro area | Median pay | Top 10% earn more than | Welding jobs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Staunton–Stuarts Draft | $64,470 | $85,360 | 390 |
| Virginia Beach–Chesapeake–Norfolk | $62,670 | $78,180 | 3,740 |
| Washington–Arlington–Alexandria | $60,670 | $114,440 | 2,000 |
| Richmond | $57,710 | $83,920 | 1,260 |
| Blacksburg–Christiansburg–Radford | $57,650 | $62,820 | 250 |
| Charlottesville | $57,420 | $78,720 | 90 |
| Roanoke | $56,040 | $63,800 | 940 |
| Kingsport–Bristol | $55,690 | $69,130 | 450 |
| Winchester | $54,690 | $64,290 | 120 |
| Lynchburg | $51,970 | $77,780 | 610 |
Welder salary: annual wages for welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers in Virginia (10,100 jobs); U.S. median $53,750. Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025.
Welding Schools by City in Virginia
Welding Schools in Virginia: FAQ
How Much Do Welding Schools in Virginia Cost?
Full-time tuition and fees for 2024–25 at the Virginia colleges on this page run from $4,979 to $16,337 for residents, before books, tools and protective gear.
How Long Does It Take to Become a Welder in Virginia?
Virginia programs publish awards from short certificates to associate degrees. For example, Central Virginia Community College lists Technical Studies - Welding, AAS (68 credits) and Welding Fundamentals, CSC (20 credits); Southside Virginia Community College lists Welding Certificate (38 credits) and Welding CSC (Career Studies Certificate) (18 credits); Danville Community College lists Welding (D) (65 minimum credits) and Welding Technology (C) (39 minimum credits).
How Much Do Welders Make in Virginia?
BLS estimates a median of $59,180 a year for welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers in Virginia (May 2025), across 10,100 jobs. The lowest-paid 10% earn under $42,520 and the top 10% earn more than $79,630.
What Is the Best Welding School in Virginia?
On federal data for program size, cost and completion, Advanced Technology Institute ranks first among Virginia colleges with verified welding programs, followed by New River Community College. The best fit depends on the credential you want and the campus you can reach.
Are There Evening Welding Classes in Virginia?
Yes. 1 welding schools in Virginia publish evening or weekend sections, including Virginia Highlands Community College.
How Many Welding Schools Are in Virginia?
13 schools have a current welding program in Virginia, each checked against the school's own program page, and 4 offer an associate degree.
What Is the Cheapest Welding School in Virginia?
New River Community College had the lowest 2024–25 tuition and fees among Virginia welding schools with federal figures: $4,979 for a full-time year (in-state). Danville Community College ($4,992) and Patrick & Henry Community College ($5,002) follow.
Which Virginia Welding Schools Offer an Associate Degree?
Advanced Technology Institute, Central Virginia Community College and Mountain Empire Community College and 1 more offer a welding associate degree, usually alongside shorter certificates.
Where Can You Test for AWS Certification in Virginia?
Advanced Technology Institute, Brightpoint Community College and Danville Community College and 6 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 Virginia
Sources
- Official welding program pages of the 13 Virginia 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.