List of Welding Schools & Classes in Missouri [Updated]

The manufacturing, food processing, and transportation industries that make up much of Missouri’s economy also support welders living in the state. Each of these industries actively seeks new welders to work in large facilities and on industry-specific projects. 

If you are a prospective welder seeking educational opportunities in Missouri, you’re in luck. The state is home to high-quality, affordable public programs and classes as well as private schools. 

These opportunities are open to a range of ages and skill levels. If you are still in high school but want to get a head start on becoming a welder, you can take classes and earn your certification through technical centers that partner with your school. 

Adults seeking a career in welding can attend classes at technical colleges or private welding schools across Missouri. Even those with years of welding experience can add to their skillset by taking continuing ed classes. 

The following are the top welding schools and programs in Missouri this year. Make sure to contact the schools directly for the latest information on tuition, financial aid, and class registration. 

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1) Missouri Welding Institute

• Type: Welding
• Classes: SMAW, GMAW, GTAW, FCAW  
• Price: ~$11,000-$18,000
• Website: https://www.missouriweldinginstitute.com/home
• Telephone: (800) 667-5885
• Location: 3300 Industrial Pkwy. Nevada, MO 64772 

Missouri Welding Institute was founded in 1994 by Thomas E. Hollands. The school offers hands-on, personalized classes that run for 10 to 18 weeks. 

Class options include pipe welding and fitting, structural welding, and advanced pipe fitting. Regardless of the type of program you choose, you will learn SMAW, GMAW, GTAW, and FCAW. 

Custom classes are also available for experienced, certified welders. Contact Missouri Welding Institute directly for more information on custom class topics. 

2) Crider’s Institute of Welding Technology

• Type: Welding 
• Classes: GMAW, GTAW, SMAW, FCAW, morning, afternoon, evening options 
• Price: ~$16,500
• Website: https://www.cridersinstitute.com/
• Telephone: (816) 249-2031
• Location: 300 NW Jefferson Grain Valley, MO 64029

Crider’s Institute of Welding Technology is owned and operated by Stan Crider. He has over 45 years of welding experience and has been teaching for the past 25 years. 

Classes at Crider’s Institute run for 5 months and include 500 hours of instruction. 80% of the program is entirely hands-on, allowing students to learn through experience. 

Crider offers a well-rounded welding program covering SMAW, GTAW, GMAW, and FCAW. Pipe welding, oxyfuel cutting, and blueprint reading are also taught. 

Those who want to learn welding for fun can sign up for Crider’s hobby welding class. This 8-hour option covers safety, basic oxyfuel cutting, SMAW, and GMAW. This is a unique offering at Crider’s Institute and the perfect way to safely learn welding processes. 

3) Grand River Welding Institute

• Type: Welding
• Classes: SMAW, GMAW, GTAW, FCAW, pipe welding
• Price: ~$24,880  
• Website: https://www.grandriverweldinginstitute.com/
• Telephone: (860) 258-9353
• Location: 103 N. Livingston St. Brookfield, MO 64628

Grand River Welding Institute prepares welding students for certification in as little as 5 months. The school is run by Eric L. Adams, who has experience welding for the energy, food, and pharmaceutical industries. 

Students at Grand River Welding Institute can expect to learn GTAW and SMAW welding processes as well as structural and pipe welding. 

An optional 3-week sanitary tubing program is also available. 

4) Iron Eagle Welding Academy

• Type: Welding
• Classes: GMAW, GTAW, SMAW 
• Price: Contact for pricing information
• Website: https://ironeagleweldingacademy.com/
• Telephone: (417) 955-4949
• Location: 16165 S. Hwy 39 Stockton, MO 65785

Iron Eagle Welding Academy offers 4, 6, 9, and 13-week programs for welders of all levels. While each program option covers SMAW, GTAW, and GMAW welding processes, programs vary depending on what type of welding a student wants to perform. 

Programs are organized into four categories: pipe welding, manufacturing and structural welding, downhill pipe, and custom classes. 

Custom classes at Iron Eagle allow experienced welders to gain certification in new skills. Class options include SMAW, GMAW, and GTAW. This option prepares students for certification in 6 weeks. 

5) American Welding Academy

• Type: Welding
• Classes: SMAW, GMAW, GTAW, FCAW, 12-24 week programs
• Price: Contact for tuition information
• Website: https://www.awaweld.com/
• Telephone: (636) 800-9353
• Location: 3 Progress Pkwy Union, MO 63084

American Welding Academy opened in 2019 and is one of the top welding schools in Missouri. Students can choose from 12 and 24-week program options. 

The 12-week fabrication program at American Welding Academy covers all the necessary welding topics like SMAW, GMAW, GTAW, and FCAW. Oxyfuel and plasma cutting are also taught. 

Students practice welds on stainless steel and aluminum. Post-weld processes are also covered. 

The 24-week pipe welding and fitting program at American Welding Academy teaches students all of the skills mentioned above, but with an emphasis on pipe. 

6) Northland Career Center

• Type: Welding
• Classes: SMAW, GMAW, GTAW, FCAW
• Price: Contact guidance counselor for more information
• Website: https://northland.plattecountyschooldistrict.com/programs/industrial_welding
• Telephone: (816) 858-5505
• Location: 1801 Branch St. Platte City, MO 64079

Northland Career Center is a public technical education center that offers classes for high schoolers and adults. High school students can attend the center while still in school to kickstart their careers. 

Northland offers industrial welding classes taught by Curt Claycomb. He teaches students in a self-paced setting. Hands-on learning and problem solving are encouraged in class. 

SMAW, GTAW, FCAW, thermal cutting, safety, and basic metallurgy are covered. Students who complete the welding program are able to sit for the American Welding Society’s welding test. 

High school students are encouraged to speak with their guidance counselors for more information on starting the welding program. 

7) Hillyard Technical Center

• Type: Welding
• Classes: SMAW, GMAW, GTAW, FCAW 
• Price: Contact guidance counselor for more information
• Website: https://hillyardtech.sjsd.k12.mo.us/h_s_programs/welding_technology/about
• Telephone: (816) 671-4170
• Location: 3434 Faraon Street St. Joseph, MO 64506

Hillyard Technical Center offers programs that prepare high school students for the workforce. Students interested in a career in welding can take classes at the Center while still in high school. 

Welding classes are completed over the course of 2 years. Students learn SMAW, GTAW, GMAW, FCAW and cutting processes. Special emphasis is placed on quality control and interview preparation. 

Students interested in the welding program at Hillyard Technical Center are encouraged to speak with their guidance counselor for more information.  

8) Ranken Technical College

• Type: Welding
• Classes: SMAW, GMAW, GTAW, FCAW, day and evening classes
• Price: Contact for tuition information
• Website: https://ranken.edu/programs/fabrication-and-welding/
• Telephone: (314) 371-0236 (St. Louis location) OR (314) 286-3382 (Perryville location) 
• Location: Multiple locations in St. Louis and Perryville (Ranken Southeast) 

Ranken Technical College offers welding and fabrication certificate and associate degree programs. Students can choose to complete the program in St. Louis or Perryville. 

Ranken’s St. Louis location boasts the latest welding equipment and 7,500 square feet of welding space. Students at Perryville, or Ranken Southeast, have the opportunity to complete 8 weeks of instruction and then move onto 8 weeks of a paid internship. This is a great way to start working as soon as possible. 

Regardless of the location you choose, Ranken’s welding program covers SMAW, GMAW, GTAW, and FCAW processes. Fabrication and blueprint reading is also covered.