List of Welding Schools & Classes in Wisconsin
Wisconsin is an upper Midwestern state with an economy based on manufacturing, agriculture, and health care. Welding is a popular career choice for those seeking certificates and two-year degrees.
Regardless of where you live in Wisconsin, there are opportunities for welders. Urban centers like Milwaukee and Madison and rural areas all support welders in the manufacturing industry.
The shipbuilding and shipping industries employ welders living and working along the shores of Lake Superior and Lake Michigan.
With so many unique ways to weld in Wisconsin, you may be wondering how to complete the necessary training. The Wisconsin Technical College System includes 16 regional technical schools that provide quality, affordable education across the state.
The state was the first in America to create a vocational education system in 1911. Wisconsin’s long history of higher education means that quality welding programs are available no matter where you live within the state.
This list includes the best welding programs offered at technical colleges and other institutions in Wisconsin this year. Make sure to check out school websites for the latest enrollment and tuition information.
1) Lakeshore Technical College (LTC)
- Type: Welding
- Classes: SMAW, GMAW, GTAW, FCAW
- Price: Contact for tuition information
- Website: https://gotoltc.edu/programs-and-courses/degree-programs/welding-industrial
- Telephone: (920) 693-1000
- Location: 1290 North Ave. Cleveland, WI 53015
Lakeshore Technical College, or LTC, offers technical diplomas for entry-level and experienced welders. The Industrial Welding diploma is open to new welders.
The program includes 27 credits. Classes offered include FCAW, GMAW, GTAW, SMAW, submerged arc welding, pipe welding, manufacturing, layouts, and blueprint reading.
Welders with previous experience can complete LTC’s Welding Fabrication Technician diploma. This 54-credit option covers advanced welding processes, advanced pipe welding, lathe and milling operations, finishing, fabrication, inspection, and robotics.
Lakeshore also offers a range of welding certificates to complement any previous education you may have. Check out LTC’s website for more information on technical diplomas and certificate options.
2) Blackhawk Technical College
- Type: Welding
- Classes: GTAW, GMAW, FCAW, SMAW
- Price: ~$6,500
- Website: https://blackhawk.edu/Programs-Classes/Explore-Programs/Program-Detail/program/Welding
- Telephone: (608) 757-7628
- Location: 15 Plumb St. Milton, WI 53563
Blackhawk Technical College has operated for over 100 years. The school is a member of the Wisconsin Technical College System.
Welding students at Blackhawk can earn a technical diploma that includes 33 credits. Skills learned include GMAW, SMAW, GTAW, FCAW, and blueprint reading.
3) Mid-State Technical College
- Type: Welding
- Classes: SMAW, GTAW, FCAW, GMAW
- Price: ~$7,500
- Website: https://www.mstc.edu/programs/Welding
- Telephone: (888) 575-6782
- Location: 500 32nd St. N. Wisconsin Rapids, WI 54494
Mid-State Technical College is one of the 16 regional technical colleges in Wisconsin. The school serves counties in the central region of the state.
Students at Mid-State can earn their technical diploma during day or evening sessions. Part and full-time options are available to accommodate different schedules.
The welding program includes 30 credits. Students learn SMAW, GMAW, GTAW, FCAW, blueprint reading, metallurgy, fabrication, inspection, and testing methods.
4) Northeast Wisconsin Technical College
- Type: Welding
- Classes: GMAW, GTAW, SMAW, FCAW
- Price: ~$7,000
- Website: https://www.nwtc.edu/academics-and-training/programs-and-degrees?AreaOfStudy=Manufacturing&Location=&Type=Select+a+Program+Type&DeliveryModes=Select+a+Delivery+Mode
- Telephone: (920) 498-5444
- Location: Green Bay & Marinette locations
Northeast Wisconsin Technical College offers welding certificates, technical diplomas, and apprenticeships.
Certificate options include SMAW and inspection. They are great complements to another degree or any previous welding experience a student may have.
The technical diploma program includes 32 credits. Topics covered include SMAW, GMAW, GTAW, FCAW, cutting, blueprint reading, symbols, fabrication, and metallurgy.
Two unique offerings at Northeast Wisconsin Technical College are the Shipbuilder Welder and Welder Fabricator apprenticeships.
The Shipbuilder Welder option lasts for a year and a half. Students learn on-the-job at Fincantieri Marinette Marine, completing around 2,600 learning hours. 440 of these hours are paid.
The Welder Fabricator apprenticeship lasts four years and includes 7,500 experience hours.
5) Madison Area Technical College
- Type: Welding
- Classes: GMAW, GTAW, FCAW, SMAW
- Price: ~$5,666
- Website: https://madisoncollege.edu/academics/programs/welding#curriculum
- Telephone: (608) 246-6100
- Location: 1701 Wright St. Madison, WI 53704
Madison Area Technical College offers 180 program options and is a popular school for those living in the Madison area.
The school offers a technical diploma in welding that includes 29 credits. Students learn SMAW, FCAW, GMAW, and GTAW. Drawings, fabrication, and metallurgy are also explored.
6) Northwood Technical College
- Type: Welding
- Classes: GMAW, GTAW, SMAW, FCAW
- Price: ~$5,500
- Website: https://www.northwoodtech.edu/academic-programs/degree-programs-and-certificates/welding
- Telephone: (800) 243-9482
- Location: Ashland, New Richmond, Rice Lake, and Superior locations
Northwood Technical College serves northwestern Wisconsin. The college ranks among the top 150 community colleges in the United States.
Welding students at Northwood can complete a 32-credit technical diploma. The program covers SMAW, GTAW, GMAW, and FCAW processes as well as blueprints, fabrication, oxyfuel and plasma cutting, and robotic welding.
7) Chippewa Valley Technical College (CVTC)
- Type: Welding
- Classes: GMAW, SMAW, FCAW, GTAW
- Price: Contact for tuition information
- Website: https://www.cvtc.edu/academics/programs/welding
- Telephone: (715) 833-6300
- Location: 620 W. Clairemont Ave. Eau Claire, WI 54701
Chippewa Valley Technical College, or CVTC, is located in Eau Claire but serves the 11 counties surrounding the city.
CVTC offers welding fabrication and standard welding technical diplomas. The basic welding program is completed in one year and includes 33 credits. Students learn SMAW, GMAW, GTAW, FCAW, cutting, and robotics.
The 64-credit welding fabrication program lasts for two years. Students pursuing this diploma learn the same welding processes as the one-year students, but techniques are more advanced.
In addition to advanced welding processes, two-year students learn CAD, fabrication, pipe welding, testing, and advanced robotic welding.
8) Fox Valley Technical College (FVTC)
- Type: Welding
- Classes: SMAW, GMAW, GTAW, FCAW
- Price: Contact for tuition information
- Website: https://www.fvtc.edu/program/manufacturing/metal-machining-fabrication-welding/10-621-1/industrial-welding-technology
- Telephone: (800) 735-3882
- Location: Appleton & Oshkosh locations
Fox Valley Technical College, or FVTC, serves five counties in eastern Wisconsin. The school offers day and evening classes for welders to accommodate various schedules.
Welding students can choose to pursue technical diplomas in Production Welding and Metal Fabrication Welding. FVTC also offers an associate of applied science (AAS) degree in Industrial Welding.
The AAS program includes 63 credits. Students learn SMAW, FCAW, GMAW, GTAW, fabrication, pipe welding, cutting, metallurgy, design, CAD, and robotics.
FVTC offers quality welding education regardless of whether you choose the technical degree or the AAS track.
9) Southwest Wisconsin Technical College
- Type: Welding
- Classes: GTAW, GMAW, SMAW, FCAW
- Price: ~$6,200
- Website: https://www.swtc.edu/academics/programs/trades-industry/welding#requirements
- Telephone: (608) 822-2725
- Location: 1800 Bronson Blvd. Fennimore, WI 53809
Southwest Wisconsin Technical College offers a 30-credit technical diploma in welding. Students learn SMAW, GMAW, GTAW, and FCAW.
Other skills taught include blueprint reading, fabrication methods, and cutting processes. Visit Southwest Wisconsin Technical College’s website for more information on upcoming enrollment dates and financial aid options.
10) Western Technical College
- Type: Welding
- Classes: GMAW, GTAW, SMAW
- Price: Contact for tuition information
- Website: https://www.westerntc.edu/welding-fabrication
- Telephone: (608) 785-9200
- Location: 400 7th St. N. La Crosse, WI 54601
Western Technical College offers two technical diploma options: Basic Welding & Welding & Fabrication. The Basic Welding program includes 15 credits and is a good option for those who want to enter the workforce quickly.
Skills learned include SMAW, GMAW, GTAW, and thermal cutting.
The Welding & Fabrication option also includes the major welding processes. Cutting, blueprint reading, fabrication, robotics, and wirefeed welding round out this 31-credit program.
11) Moraine Park Technical College (MPTC)
- Type: Welding
- Classes: SMAW, GMAW, GTAW, FCAW
- Price: Contact for tuition information
- Website: https://www.morainepark.edu/academics/programs/welding/
- Telephone: (800) 472-4554
- Location: Beaver Dam, Fond du Lac, and Jackson locations
Moraine Park Technical College, or MPTC, boasts a 92% job placement rate among graduates and fast, affordable programs. Welding students can complete MPTC’s technical diploma in as little as one year.
The welding program at the college includes 35 credit hours. SMAW, GMAW, GTAW, FCAW, print reading, metallurgy, fabrication, and robotics are covered.
12) Nicolet College
- Type: Welding
- Classes: SMAW, GMAW, GTAW, FCAW
- Price: ~$6,000
- Website: https://www.nicoletcollege.edu/programs-degrees/welding/welding
- Telephone: (715) 365-4410
- Location: 5364 College Dr. Rhinelander, WI 54501
Nicolet College opened in 1967 and has provided quality, affordable education to the Rhinelander area ever since.
The school offers a one-year, 30-credit technical diploma in welding. Students are encouraged to learn at their own pace through Nicolet’s competency-based education model.
Skills learned include the four major welding processes, fabrication, metallurgy, symbols, cutting, blueprints, and inspection.
If you are self-motivated and seeking a well-rounded welding program, look no further than Nicolet College!
13) Advanced Welding Institute (AWI)
- Type: Welding
- Classes: GTAW, SMAW, GMAW, FCAW
- Price: ~23,000-$25,000
- Website: https://awi.edu/full-time-courses/
- Telephone: (715) 357-0122
- Location: 555 Enterprise Way Eagle River, WI 54521
Advanced Welding Institute (AWI) has locations in Vermont and Wisconsin. The school is not part of Wisconsin’s technical college system, but may be a good fit for you if you live in the Eagle River area.
Classes at AWI are full-time and run for 15 to 24 weeks. Beginner welders can complete the Structural Welding program. This covers GTAW, GMAW, SMAW, cutting, and blueprints.
The Combination Structural & Pipe Welding option covers advanced processes. For more information on AWI’s programs and enrollment dates, visit their website linked above.