One of the biggest barriers to education can be cost. And even though a program like welding school will often provide a career-building education at a comparatively low price, the need to make that initial investment can nevertheless still be daunting. So, how much does welding school cost, and what are some options for how to pay for it? Below, we have a breakdown of paying for your welding program.
Welding school cost
Receiving welding training at a community college or a technical school typically costs between $5,000–$15,000, depending on where the program is located and any potential specializations you may be pursuing (in contrast, a bachelor’s degree in welding costs between $40,000–$100,000). While the average cost of a welding program is $6,850, the most basic programs can cost as little as $2,800 — on the flip side, a more advanced underwater welding program can cost even more than $15,000.
There are a few other things you’ll want to consider besides just the cost of the program, though. In addition to tuition, you may find that you also need to pay for additional tools and books, as well certification tests following the completion of your program:
- Welding tools and safety equipment can cost between $500–$1,500.
- Certification tests may or may not be included in your tuition and can cost between $300–$550 per test.
Finally, there’s a third cost you’ll want to consider, even though it won’t be used in your welding school — living expenses. Though welding programs on average take less than two years to complete (with some schools even offering seven-month programs), you still may be faced with reduced income while undergoing training. If that’s the case, you’ll want to be sure you have enough money saved up to cover expenses such rent, utilities, groceries, or transportation.
Welding programs typically take less than 2 years to complete,
and some can take as little as 7 months!
How to pay for welding school
Upfront, in full
If you have enough money saved up to cover your program’s tuition, any necessary supplies, and living expenses such as rent and groceries, paying out of pocket is your best option. While this method does require the highest upfront cost, you won’t owe any money in interest, there’s no credit check, and you won’t have to worry about remembering to make monthly payments. Since non-degree welding programs can cost up to $15,000, look around to see if there are any scholarships available that can help ease the tuition amount!
Pay-as-you-go payment plan
For those who are unable to pay the full tuition cost upfront, some schools offer payment plan options. This allows students to make several smaller payments over the duration of the program, in order to lessen the upfront cost. It includes no credit check and no interest — so you’ll ultimately pay less than you would with a loan. However, payments are spread over a much shorter period of time than other financing options, so although you’ll pay less overall, your monthly payments will be higher.
Student loan
A student loan can be a good choice for students who need to make the smallest monthly payments, rather than larger payments or all upfront. While not all welding schools offer federal student loans, private student loans may still be available. Depending on the loan terms available for your program, you may have the option of full deferral, interest-only deferral, or immediate full repayment.
Climb partners with several welding schools for financing, and we only perform a hard credit pull once a loan is funded. So, you can submit an application to check out our options with no impact to your credit score!
There are some things you’ll want to keep in mind, though. Most loans come with an interest rate, which means you’ll ultimately end up paying more than the tuition amount. Your credit will also be pulled once loan funds are sent, so your credit score may be impacted. At the end of the day, you’ll need to consider what works best for your situation — smaller monthly payments while paying more overall, or higher monthly payments while paying less overall.