If you want to start a career in a field that combines science, technical skills, and creativity, the welding profession is worth exploring.
As a welder, you will be responsible for joining metal parts using hand-held or remotely controlled equipment.
Although admission requirements vary depending on the school and the credential you want to pursue, before being ready to start your welding career, the first step is to get your high school diploma or equivalent and then complete technical and on-the-job training that teaches you the skills needed for this profession.
To help you get started, on this page, we have compiled information about the best welding schools in North Dakota.
During your training, you will typically learn about:
- Materials used in welding and their application
- Welding symbols
- Bevel two pieces of metal properly for a welding application
- Types of welding joints performed in pipe welding
- Welding processes
- Welding safety
- And more
Program duration varies between a few months and a few years, depending on the school, the type of degree or diploma you want to obtain, and the format you choose.
Costs vary between a few thousand dollars and more than $15,000, depending on the school and the credential you need.
We invite you to read our list and choose the format that best meets your needs.
#1Lynnes Welding Training
About the School
Lynnes Welding Training offers short-term programs, full and part-time classes that provide students with hands-on welding experience from day one.
Students can earn up to 12 welder qualifications.
A majority of the training day is spent in a booth, gaining actual welding experience.
Skill courses are 3 to 5 weeks long.
Students may also learn multiple processes to become combination welders in 12 to 16 weeks.
Lynnes Welding Training is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges.
Courses are available in Fargo, Bismarck, and New Hope.
The student-to-instructor ratio is 15 to 1.
Contact Information
- Address: 2717 3rd Ave North, Fargo, ND 58102
- Phone: 701-373-0658
- Website: https://learntoweld.com
#2Williston State College
About the School
Williston State College offers a Welding Technology program that offers three different degree types:
- Associate in Applied Science
- Program Certificate
- Certificate of Completion
The programs are designed to equip students with the technical skills and knowledge required for successful careers in the welding industry.
Courses Offered
The program requirements include:
- Blueprint Reading for Welder
- Introduction to Welding Lab
- Welding Theory & Safety for Semi-Automatic Processes
- Wire Feed & Welding Certification Lab
- Layout & Pattern Making Basics
- Welding Theory, Technology, & Safety
- SMAW Welding Lab
- Metal Fabrication Lab
Contact Information
- Address: 1410 University Avenue, Williston, ND 58801, USA
- Phone: 701.774.4200
- Website: https://willistonstate.edu
#3North Dakota State College of Science
North Dakota State College of Science has provided educational programs and experiences for thousands of students for over 120 years.
Courses Offered
The Welding program at North Dakota State College of Science is designed to provide students with experience in welding.
The curriculum covers welding and cutting processes, robotics, print reading, metallurgy, and other aspects of general education.
Applicants must be high school graduates or equivalent.
The required courses include:
- Robotics
- Fabrication Methods
- Print Reading
- Welding Theory
- Welding Lab
- Technical Math
- Science of Success: Manufacturing
- And more
In total, the program requires 31 credits.
Contact Information
- Address: 800 6th St. N., Wahpeton, ND 58076
- Phone: 800-342-4325
- Website: https://catalog.ndscs.edu
#4University of North Dakota
About the School
The University of North Dakota offers a Welder Technician program that provides an intensive overview of skills relating to welding techniques.
Tuition for this program is $2,245.
Students have access to the program for 12 months.
The program covers a variety of topics, from the basic principles of metal cutting and rigging to safety guidelines and manufacturing management.
Courses Offered
Students learn:
- Welding Safety, Processes and Applications
- Troubleshooting
- Inspection Methods
- Metallurgy
- Rigging
- Fabrication Processes
Students have access to five video-based simulation labs for virtual hands-on experience.
Enrolled students are invited to attend the exclusive annual virtual National Apprenticeship Week events, featuring live webinars, workshops, and employer interactions.
Contact Information
- Address: O’Kelly Hall Room 300, 221 Centennial Dr Stop 9021, Grand Forks, ND 58202 US
- Phone: 855.520.6806
- Website: https://careertraining.und.edu
#5Bismarck State College
About the School
Bismarck State College offers a one-year Welding program that provides students with basic skills for an entry-level job or apprenticeship program.
Students spend time in BSC’s modern, well-equipped lab where they practice different techniques:
- Oxyacetylene
- Gas tungsten arc
- Flux-cored arc
- Shielded metal arc
- Gas metal arc
During shield metal arc welding training, students develop skills to pass the Certified Welder test of the American Welding Society.
The following degree plans are available:
- Welding Associate of Applied Science
- Welding Diploma
- Welding Program Certificate
The Diploma program includes courses such as:
- OFC Operations
- PAC and CAC Operations
- Blueprint Reading for Welders
- SMAW Operations
- Welding Principles
- Methods in GTAW
- Advanced methods in GTAW
- Blueprint Symbols in Welding
- Gas Tungsten Arc Pipe Welding
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 1500 Edwards Ave, Bismarck, ND 58506, USA
- Phone: 701.224.5400
- Website: https://catalog.bismarckstate.edu
#6United Tribes Technical College
United Tribes Technical College offers a range of programs and degrees, and small class sizes.
Courses Offered
The Welding Technology program at United Tribes Technical College gives students the opportunity to study in a state-of-the-art welding shop.
Students use the school’s Virtual Reality VRTEX 360 Simulators.
The simulator gives students the opportunity to learn proper body positions, gun and rod angles and positions, travel speeds, and overall welding techniques in an eco-friendly manner.
Graduates have skills in gas metal arc, short circuit transfer, spray transfer, metalcore arc welding, oxy-acetylene, braze welding, gas tungsten arc welding, flux core arc welding, oxyacetylene cutting, plasma arc cutting, and shielded metal arc welding.
After completing the Welding Technology certificate program, students may be eligible to become AWS Certified.
Graduates will:
- Practice industry-standard safety procedures
- Perform welds to industry standards
- Communicate using effective welding terminology
Contact Information
- Address: 3315 University Drive, Bismarck, ND 58504
- Phone: 701.255.3285
- Website: https://uttc.edu
#7Minneapolis College
About the School
Welding programs are also available at schools in neighboring states.
Minneapolis College offers a Welding and Metal Fabrication program that provides students with the technical knowledge and hands-on skills needed to gain entry-level employment in manufacturing, construction, and various other industries.
The program offers a short-term 27-credit Welding certificate, which can be completed in just one year through either day or evening classes.
Classes are small, so students have the opportunity to receive a lot of one-on-one attention from instructors and hands-on learning experiences.
Courses Offered
The following award options are available:
- Welding and Metal Fabrication A.A.S.- a 60-credit program
- Welding and Metal Fabrication Diploma- a 45-credit program
- Welding and Metal Fabrication Certificate- a 27-credit program
The program has the following learning outcomes:
- Perform welder qualification tests
- Understand and safely utilize arc welding equipment
- Understand and safely utilize manual and automated shop fabrication equipment
- Interpret blueprints and welding symbols
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 1501 Hennepin Avenue, Minneapolis, MN 55403
- Phone: 612-659-6000
- Website: https://minneapolis.edu
#8Minnesota State College Southeast
About the School
Minnesota State College Southeast offers students the opportunity to start a new career in nine months with a diploma in welding technology, or in just seven months through the spring/summer accelerated program.
Students get hands-on experience in the welding shop from day one.
Courses Offered
The following degrees in welding are available at the college:
- Welding Technology Diploma- a 34-credit program
- Welding Technology Certificate- a 17-credit program
Diploma students become skilled in several welding and cutting procedures over the course of the year:
- Oxy-Fuel welding and cutting
- Stick welding
- Mig welding
- Tig welding
All students must complete a welding capstone, designing a project from concept through completion.
They also have the option to take an elective on-the-job internship.
After completing the program, students gain the skills to properly set up, complete, and pass the welding bend test to AWS D.1.1. standards.
The estimated total cost for a diploma is $8,982 and includes tuition/fees, minimum tools, and books/supplies.
Contact Information
- Address: 308 Pioneer Road, Red Wing, MN 55066
- Phone: 507-453-2700
- Website: https://www.southeastmn.edu
#9Hennepin Technical College
About the School
Hennepin Technical College provides a Welding and Metal Fabrication program that gives students the hands-on practice and detailed knowledge of welding technology.
The college is accredited through the Higher Learning Commission.
Hennepin Tech Foundation offers scholarships, workforce development programs, and collaborative initiatives that help students achieve their goals while driving economic growth and innovation.
Courses Offered
The following awards and certifications are available:
- Welding Diploma
- GMAW Production Welder Certificate
- GTAW Production Welder Certificate
- Robotic Arc Welding Certificate
- Structural Iron Fabrication & Repair Certificate
Contact Information
- Address: 9000 Brooklyn Boulevard, Brooklyn Park, MN 55445
- Phone: 952-995-1300
- Website: https://hennepintech.edu
#10Ridgewater College
About the School
Another Minnesota school that offers welding training is Ridgewater College, a community and technical college that offers nearly 100 educational programs in transfer and technical education pathways.
The college has campuses in Willmar, Hutchinson, and online.
Courses Offered
The Welding program available at Ridgewater College prepares students with skills in:
- Blueprint reading and various layout methods
- MIG, TIG, and stick welding
- Fabrication processes
The following degree options are available:
- 16 credit certificate
- 32 or 64 diploma
- 72 credit degree
The Willmar campus offers all degree and award options, while the Hutchinson campus offers only one-year diplomas and certificates.
Program costs sum up to approximately $15,000 for an Associate Degree and to $3,400 for a Certificate.
Contact Information
- Address: 2 Century Avenue SE, Hutchinson, MN 55350
- Phone: 320-234-8500
- Website: https://ridgewater.edu
Schools Summary Table
Welding Average Salary in North Dakota
Estimated Earnings Range:| Item | Percent |
|---|---|
|
$45K
|
|
|
$62K
|
|
|
$83K
|
Welding Salary by Metro Area in North Dakota
| Metro Area | Employed | Avg. Annual | Avg. Hourly | Top 10% | Bottom 10% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bismarck, ND | 330 | $60,930 | $29.29 | $73,410 | $52,000 |
| Fargo, ND-MN | 690 | $58,870 | $28.30 | $72,800 | $47,470 |
| Grand Forks, ND-MN | 150 | $57,720 | $27.75 | $74,500 | $44,310 |
| Minot, ND | 80 | $61,570 | $29.60 | $85,110 | $40,440 |
* Employment opportunities may differ based on your location.
Final Thoughts
Skilled welders will continue to be needed in a variety of industries, so gaining a certificate, diploma, or degree in this field can be the first step towards a rewarding career.
Now that you have read our selection of the best welding programs in North Dakota, it’s time to continue the research and choose the one that best meets your learning style and career aspirations.
Take your time and choose wisely!
