Welding Classes in Seattle
Students who want to learn welding have several options in the Seattle area. This article covers three public schools that are within 25 minutes of the city center.
- South Seattle College is about 6.5 miles from Seattle's downtown and offers welding certificate and associate's degree programs.
- Programs are also available at Lake Washington Institute of Technology, located about 15 miles northeast of Seattle in Kirkland, WA.
- 16.4 miles south of Seattle, students can find welding classes and degree programs at Renton Technical College.
Comparison of Schools
The right school can be just as important as the right program. Read below to find out more information about the enrollments, community settings, tuition and graduation rates for the three featured schools.
| South Seattle College | Lake Washington Institute of Technology | Renton Technical College | |
|---|---|---|---|
| School Type | 4-year, primarily associate's, public | 4-year, primarily associate's, public | 4-year, primarily associate's, public |
| Total Enrollment (2021) | 4,893* | 3,240* | 3,097* |
| Campus Setting | Large city | Large suburb | Midsize city |
| Tuition & Fees (2022-2023) | $4,865 for in-state students; $5,354 for part-time students* | $4,710 for in-state students; $10,390 for out-of-state students* | $5,784 for in-state students; $6,252 for out-of-state students* |
| % of Beginning Students Receiving Some Form of Financial Aid (2020-2021) | 70%* | 45%* | 76%* |
| Acceptance Rate (2021) | N/A - Open admissions | N/A - Open admissions | N/A - Open admissions |
| Retention Rate (Fall 2020 to Fall 2021) | N/A* | N/A* | N/A* |
| Graduation Rate | 30% (for students beginning in fall 2015)* | 43% (for students beginning in fall 2015)* | 57% (for students beginning in fall 2015)* |
Source: *NCES College Navigator.
South Seattle College
There are individual project options available for students and welders who are looking to update their skills during the course of one of these welding programs.
Welding Fabrication Technology Certificate
Students must earn 64-66 credits in order to graduate with this welding certificate. The program's curriculum covers print reading, welding symbols and welding theory. From there, students move on to topics involving different types of arc welding and cutting. In addition to these welding classes, students take courses in communications, business math and human relations psychology.
Associate of Applied Science in Welding Fabrication Technology
This associate's degree program contains the same core courses as the certificate program, in addition to classes in advanced fabrication, drafting technology, computers and pipe shielded metal arc welding. Students must earn 92-96 credits to graduate and must also complete an internship.
Lake Washington Institute of Technology
The welding technology programs at this school can prepare students to take professional certification tests. Courses also train students for work in manufacturing, construction and maintenance.
Certificate of Completion in Welding Technology
In this program, students can learn about carbon arc, oxy-acetylene and plasma cutting, gas tungsten arc welding, gas metal arc welding and flux core arc welding. It typically takes five quarters to complete this program. The coursework of the program covers 75 credits, and social science, written communication and quantitative reasoning are all topics covered in the general education requirements.
Associate of Applied Science in Welding Technology
Students who choose to pursue the associate's degree program can select a focus in pipe welding, structural and plate welding, welding fabrication or aerospace manufacturing. This program requires 95 credits to complete and usually takes six quarters of study.
Renton Technical College
A counselor and an instructor interview, as well as placement testing, must be completed in order to enroll in these programs. The school's programs can prepare students for certification exams in welding.
Welding Certificates
Four different welding certificate programs are available: the Welder Helper Certificate, Entry Welder Certificate, Certified Welder Certificate and the Welder Certificate of Completion. These programs built on each other; for example, the 22 credits from the Welder Helper Certificate form part of the coursework of the Entry Welder Certificate, which requires a total of 49 credits. Initial topics of study include college success, safety measures, thermal cutting and oxyacetylene welding in the Welder Helper program. The Entry Welder program goes into arc welding and shielded metal arc welding, while the Certified Welder program explores flux cored arc welding, gas metal arc welding, MIG aluminum and metallurgy. Finally, the Welder Certificate of Completion program goes into pipe welding and gas tungsten arc welding.
Associate of Applied Science in Welding
The associate's degree program offers the same listing of welding courses as the certificate program series. However, students must also take 20 units of general education courses in subjects like psychology, applied algebra, communication and composition.
Other School Options
Olympic College is about 18 miles from downtown Seattle via ferry ride and provides welding technology programs. Green River Community College is 34 miles from downtown and offers an associate's degree program in welding technology.