What Are the Best Welding Schools in West Virginia?
- New River Community and Technical College (Ghent) offers Welding Technology AAS and Welding Technology CAS.
- West Virginia University at Parkersburg (Parkersburg) offers Certificate of Applied Science in Welding Technology and Associate of Applied Science in Welding Technology.
- Blue Ridge Community and Technical College (Martinsburg) offers Welding Certificate.
- Resident tuition and fees run from $4,612 to $5,800 a year (2024–25).
- Welding classes in West Virginia: 2 of the verified welding programs in West Virginia list evening or weekend sections.
- West Virginia welders earn a median $48,810 a year (BLS, May 2025).
New River Community and Technical College Leads the West Virginia Welding School Rankings
| # | College | Tuition and fees | Welding awards | Graduation rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New River Community and Technical CollegeGhent | $5,156 | 9 certificates, 15 associate | 36% |
| 2 | West Virginia University at ParkersburgParkersburg | $4,612 | 11 certificates, 9 associate | 9% |
| 3 | Blue Ridge Community and Technical CollegeMartinsburg | $4,752 | 8 certificates | 32% |
| 4 | Academy of Careers and TechnologyBeckley | 9 certificates | ||
| 5 | West Virginia Northern Community CollegeWheeling | $4,706 | 2 certificates, 2 associate | 33% |
| 6 | Fred W Eberle Technical CenterBuckhannon | 7 certificates | ||
| 7 | Boone Career and Technical CenterFoster | 5 certificates | ||
| 8 | Cabell County Career Technology CenterBarboursville | 5 certificates | ||
| 9 | BridgeValley Community & Technical CollegeSouth Charleston | $5,800 | 5 associate | 34% |
| 10 | Mountwest Community and Technical CollegeHuntington | $4,938 | 1 certificate, 3 associate | 19% |
| 11 | Ben Franklin Career CenterDunbar | 4 certificates | ||
| 12 | Southern West Virginia Community and Technical CollegeWilliamson | $5,136 | 3 associate | 29% |
Welding programs in West 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 West Virginia Welding Schools
Each West 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 West Virginia by Goal: Top Ranked, Lowest Tuition, Most Welding Awards and Working Adults
Welding Schools in West Virginia, College by College
1New River Community and Technical College, Ghent, West Virginia
Offers an associate degree and 3 certificates in welding
- Tuition / year
- $5,156 in-state, 2024–25
- Welding awards
- 24 conferred 2024–25
Teaches Stick · MIG · TIG · Flux-cored · Pipe · Cutting
2West Virginia University at Parkersburg, Parkersburg, West Virginia
Offers an associate degree and a certificate in welding
- Tuition / year
- $4,612 in-state, 2024–25
- Welding awards
- 20 conferred 2024–25
Teaches Stick · MIG · TIG · Flux-cored · Fabrication
3Blue Ridge Community and Technical College, Martinsburg, West Virginia
Offers a certificate in welding
- Tuition / year
- $4,752 in-state, 2024–25
- Welding awards
- 8 conferred 2024–25
Teaches Stick · MIG · TIG · Fabrication
4Academy of Careers and Technology, Beckley, West Virginia
Offers 2 certificates in welding
- Welding awards offered
- 2 certificates and degrees
- Welding awards
- 9 conferred 2024–25
Teaches Stick · MIG · TIG · Flux-cored · Cutting · Fabrication
5West Virginia Northern Community College, Wheeling, West Virginia
Offers an associate degree and 3 certificates in welding
- Tuition / year
- $4,706 in-state, 2024–25
- Welding awards
- 4 conferred 2024–25
Teaches Stick · MIG · TIG · Flux-cored · Pipe · Cutting
6Fred W Eberle Technical Center, Buckhannon, West Virginia
Offers a certificate in welding
- Welding awards offered
- 1 certificates and degrees
- Welding awards
- 7 conferred 2024–25
Teaches Stick · MIG · TIG · Flux-cored · Cutting · Fabrication
7Boone Career and Technical Center, Foster, West Virginia
Offers a certificate in welding
- Welding awards offered
- 1 certificates and degrees
- Welding awards
- 5 conferred 2024–25
Teaches Stick · MIG · TIG · Flux-cored · Cutting · Fabrication
8Cabell County Career Technology Center, Barboursville, West Virginia
Offers a certificate in welding
- Welding awards offered
- 1 certificates and degrees
- Welding awards
- 5 conferred 2024–25
Teaches Stick · MIG · TIG · Flux-cored · Cutting · Fabrication
9BridgeValley Community &Amp; Technical College, South Charleston, West Virginia
Offers an associate degree and 3 certificates in welding
- Tuition / year
- $5,800 in-state, 2024–25
- Welding awards
- 5 conferred 2024–25
Teaches Stick · MIG · TIG · Flux-cored · Pipe · Cutting
10Mountwest Community and Technical College, Huntington, West Virginia
Offers an associate degree and 2 certificates in welding
- Tuition / year
- $4,938 in-state, 2024–25
- Welding awards
- 4 conferred 2024–25
Teaches Stick · MIG · TIG · Flux-cored · Pipe · Cutting
11Ben Franklin Career Center, Dunbar, West Virginia
Offers a certificate in welding
- Welding awards offered
- 1 certificates and degrees
- Welding awards
- 4 conferred 2024–25
Teaches Stick · MIG · TIG · Flux-cored · Pipe · Cutting
12Southern West Virginia Community and Technical College, Williamson, West Virginia
Offers an associate degree and a certificate in welding
- Tuition / year
- $5,136 in-state, 2024–25
- Welding awards
- 3 conferred 2024–25
Teaches Stick · MIG · TIG · Flux-cored · Cutting · Fabrication
Tuition and welding awards: NCES College Navigator, 2024–25. Programs and processes: each school's own welding page, reviewed September 2026.
Welding Classes in West Virginia: 2 Programs Teach Nights or Weekends
Schedules as each college publishes them. Ask about evening sections and start dates before you apply.
- New River Community and Technical CollegeCAS is a two-semester certificate program.
- West Virginia University at ParkersburgFull-time students may normally expect to complete the certificate in one academic year.
- Mountwest Community and Technical CollegeComprehensive full- and part-time programs are available.
- Ben Franklin Career CenterFull-day, seven-month program; Monday-Friday 8:00AM-2:30PM; sessions begin July, March or October on a two-year rotation (next class begins October 26, 2026).
- Boone Career and Technical CenterYear-round open enrollment; course is competency based and self-paced.
- Blue Ridge Community and Technical CollegeOne-year certificate; on-campus and hybrid formats; full-time students can finish in one year.
- Fred W Eberle Technical CenterEvening program, September through May, 3-4 days a week.
- Academy of Careers and TechnologyEvening program; class meets Tuesday-Thursday 5 pm to 10 pm and follows the county school schedule.
- Cabell County Career Technology CenterMonday - Wednesday 4:00 pm - 10:00 pm
What Welding School Costs in West Virginia: $4,612 to $5,800 a Year
Among the 7 West Virginia welding schools with federal figures, 2024–25 tuition and fees for a full-time year range from $4,612 at West Virginia University at Parkersburg to $5,800 at BridgeValley Community & 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 |
|---|---|---|
| West Virginia University at Parkersburg | Parkersburg | $4,612 (in-state) |
| West Virginia Northern Community College | Wheeling | $4,706 (in-state) |
| Blue Ridge Community and Technical College | Martinsburg | $4,752 (in-state) |
| Mountwest Community and Technical College | Huntington | $4,938 (in-state) |
| Southern West Virginia Community and Technical College | Williamson | $5,136 (in-state) |
| New River Community and Technical College | Ghent | $5,156 (in-state) |
The six lowest rates. Source: NCES College Navigator.
Welder Salary in West Virginia: The Washington Area Pays the Most
| Metro area | Median pay | Top 10% earn more than | Welding jobs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington–Arlington–Alexandria | $60,670 | $114,440 | 2,000 |
| Hagerstown–Martinsburg | $56,020 | $76,230 | 130 |
| Weirton–Steubenville | $55,410 | $87,110 | 180 |
| Winchester | $54,690 | $64,290 | 120 |
| Wheeling | $49,920 | $105,400 | 160 |
| Parkersburg–Vienna | $49,330 | $66,520 | 90 |
| Beckley | $48,960 | $81,650 | 120 |
| Charleston | $48,000 | $75,420 | 190 |
| Morgantown | $47,650 | $74,310 | 140 |
| Huntington–Ashland | $46,980 | $71,310 | 550 |
Welder salary: annual wages for welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers in West Virginia (2,100 jobs); U.S. median $53,750. Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025.
Welding Schools by City in West Virginia
Welding Schools in West Virginia: FAQ
How Much Do Welding Schools in West Virginia Cost?
Full-time tuition and fees for 2024–25 at the West Virginia colleges on this page run from $4,612 to $5,800 for residents, before books, tools and protective gear.
How Long Does It Take to Become a Welder in West Virginia?
West Virginia programs publish awards from short certificates to associate degrees. For example, New River Community and Technical College lists Welding Technology AAS (60-61 credit hours) and Welding Technology CAS (30 credit hours); Mountwest Community and Technical College lists Welding Technology A.A.S. (60 credit hours) and Welding Technology Certificate of Applied Science (30 credit hours); Ben Franklin Career Center lists Certified Welder (900 clock hours).
How Much Do Welders Make in West Virginia?
BLS estimates a median of $48,810 a year for welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers in West Virginia (May 2025), across 2,100 jobs. The lowest-paid 10% earn under $36,700 and the top 10% earn more than $73,780.
What Is the Best Welding School in West Virginia?
On federal data for program size, cost and completion, New River Community and Technical College ranks first among West Virginia colleges with verified welding programs, followed by West Virginia University at Parkersburg. The best fit depends on the credential you want and the campus you can reach.
Are There Evening Welding Classes in West Virginia?
Yes. 2 welding schools in West Virginia publish evening or weekend sections, including Fred W Eberle Technical Center and Academy of Careers and Technology.
How Many Welding Schools Are in West Virginia?
12 schools have a current welding program in West Virginia, each checked against the school's own program page, and 6 offer an associate degree.
What Is the Most Affordable Welding School in West Virginia?
West Virginia University at Parkersburg had the lowest 2024–25 tuition and fees among West Virginia welding schools with federal figures: $4,612 for a full-time year (in-state). West Virginia Northern Community College ($4,706) and Blue Ridge Community and Technical College ($4,752) follow.
Which West Virginia Welding Schools Offer an Associate Degree?
BridgeValley Community & Technical College, Mountwest Community and Technical College and New River Community and Technical College and 3 more offer a welding associate degree, usually alongside shorter certificates.
Where Can You Test for AWS Certification in West Virginia?
BridgeValley Community & Technical College, Mountwest Community and Technical College and New River Community and Technical College and 3 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 West Virginia
Sources
- Official welding program pages of the 12 West 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.