The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects about 42,000 job openings each year for welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers through 2033. Lincoln Tech channels part of that demand into hands-on welding training at campuses from Colorado and Texas to Connecticut, New Jersey, Indiana, Maryland, and Illinois.
Students can pursue certificate and diploma pathways, with program length and total cost shifting by campus and credential level. Accreditation and onsite certification testing add another variable.
Because welding wages and hireability track closely with certifications and local employer demand, published tuition, completion time, and job placement outcomes deserve a campus-by-campus comparison before a student commits.
Programs at Lincoln College of Technology-Denver
Welding
- 32-Week program
- 30 total credit hours
- Hands-on training in welding booths
- Day, afternoon, and evening programs
- Prepares for welding certifications
- Learn SMAW, GMAW, FCAW, GTAW
- Blueprint reading and welding metallurgy
- Colorado demand 4x national average
- Built with industry professionals
- Instructional hours: 720
Lincoln Tech Welding Programs at a Glance
Welding training has shifted toward shorter, concentrated credentials that move students into the booth and onto a job site faster, and Lincoln Tech's current lineup reflects that trend.
Two credential paths
Lincoln Tech currently lists welding as a certificate or a diploma. The 2026 program inventory does not include an associate degree in welding. The certificate is the shorter option, often 30 semester credits, 720 instructional hours, and about 32 weeks. The diploma is more common across campuses, typically 40 semester credits, 960 instructional hours, and about 42 weeks. Students deciding between the two often weigh how quickly they want to enter the workforce against welding school cost and the broader skill set a longer diploma provides.
Campus differences matter
Not every campus offers every credential. Columbia, MD lists a certificate-level program at 30 credits and 32 weeks; Nashville lists a diploma with the same 30 credits and 32 weeks. Denver, East Windsor, Houston, Indianapolis, Levittown, Melrose Park, and several other campuses offer 40-credit, 42-week diplomas. Grand Prairie shows a longer 50-credit, 52-week diploma configuration in some published materials. Program names also vary, with several campuses adding "with Pipe" to the Welding and Fabrication Technology title. Some campuses confirm program availability without listing credential details, so the admissions team can clarify whether a certificate or diploma is offered at that location.
Schedules and delivery formats
Where schedules are published, Lincoln Tech campuses list day, afternoon, and evening options. Houston combines on-campus hands-on training with some online coursework. Lincoln, RI uses a blended on-campus and online format. Because not every campus publishes the same schedule details, prospective students should confirm delivery and time slots directly with their campus.
Campus-By-Campus Welding Offerings
Lincoln Tech publishes welding and metal fabrication training at campuses across several states. The table below shows campuses where program type, clock hours, and scheduling details were available; entries without a published value are marked N/A. Additional welding programs are listed at East Point, GA, Houston, TX, Indianapolis, IN, Levittown, PA, Lincoln, RI, Nashville, TN, and South Plainfield, NJ, but their campus pages do not report the same schedule or credential details in a comparable format.
| Campus | State | Program Type | Clock Hours | Schedule/Format |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Columbia, MD | MD | Certificate | 960 clock hours | Day, Afternoon, Evening Programs |
| Columbia, MD | MD | Certificate | 720 clock hours | N/A |
| Denver, CO | CO | Diploma | 720 clock hours | N/A |
| Denver, CO | CO | Diploma | 920 clock hours | N/A |
| East Windsor, CT | CT | Diploma | 960 clock hours | Day, afternoon, and evening programs |
| Grand Prairie, TX | TX | Diploma | 960 clock hours | Day, Afternoon, and Evening programs |
| Mahwah, NJ | NJ | Certificate | 960 clock hours | Day, afternoon, and evening programs |
| Melrose Park, IL | IL | N/A | N/A | Afternoon & Evening |
Tuition, Fees, and Financial Aid for Welding Students
Welding students often weigh two paths: paying the published price up front, or using federal aid, military benefits, and scholarships to reduce the balance.
Lincoln Tech does not publish one nationwide welding price. Tuition, fees, books, tools, uniforms, and total program cost all vary by campus and program, and by whether a student pursues a certificate or diploma. One 2025 published welding school cost figure is $23,735, but the school's document does not identify the campus or welding program that total covers, so treat it as a planning reference rather than a universal sticker price. The school also does not break out a single credential-by-credential price sheet in publicly available materials.
Materials and Tools Add Their Own Line Items
For the Columbia, MD campus, the 2026 booklist shows $334.81 for books, $801.36 for a tool kit, $720.00 for a laptop, and $217.00 for a uniform and safety glasses. Other campuses have comparable but slightly different amounts: one unspecified list shows a book cost of $332.22 and tool and materials totals near $1,700. Welding students should budget for these equipment costs separately from tuition.
Federal Aid, Military Benefits, and Scholarships
- Federal student aid: Eligible students can apply by completing the FAFSA. Availability depends on the campus and the student's qualifications.
- Military benefits: Lincoln Tech identifies Montgomery GI Bill, Post-9/11 GI Bill, and Yellow Ribbon Program among possible benefits, but approval is campus and program specific.
- Scholarships: External organizations such as the American Welding Society, state workforce programs, private foundations, and employers may offer funding. Amounts and deadlines vary, and Lincoln Tech does not publish a guaranteed welding-only scholarship.
- Payment plans: Terms are not published in a single national schedule; students should ask the campus financial aid office for installment options and fees.
What Welders Earn: A Quick Salary Snapshot
National wage data offers a realistic earnings benchmark for welding graduates.
Welder wages vary by certification, industry, and location. AWS SENSE Entry Level Welder data lists a national range of $43,870 to $62,510 as of October 2023, but local premiums differ, so compare BLS, O*NET, AWS/NCCER, and job postings.
Frequently Asked Questions About Lincoln Tech Welding
Lincoln Tech welding costs, lengths, and credentials vary by campus. Use the answers below as a starting point, then confirm details with the specific campus you are considering.
- How much does the Lincoln Tech welding program cost?
- Lincoln Tech does not publish one nationwide welding price. Costs vary by campus, program track, schedule, and fees. Third-party 2026 estimates range from about $20,000 to $32,000, with one reported East Point, GA program around $31,886 tuition only and about $34,242 including fees. A South Plainfield, NJ source lists a total program cost of $35,680, but welding tuition is not itemized. Check the campus's official page for current figures.
- How long does Lincoln Tech welding school take?
- Welding school duration depends on campus and track. Standard welding and fabrication technology programs often run about 32 weeks with 720 instructional hours and 30 credits, while welding and fabrication with pipe options typically run about 42 weeks with 960 hours and 40 credits. Grand Prairie, TX lists a welding pipefitting diploma at about 52 weeks with 1,200 hours and 50 credits. Confirm the scheduled length for your campus.
- Does Lincoln Tech offer welding certifications?
- Some Lincoln Tech welding programs are titled certificate programs, such as the East Point welding technology pipe certificate and the Columbia welding technology certificate program. The welding certificate vs AWS certification distinction matters; these are school credentials, not automatic AWS certifications or state licenses. Programs may prepare students for industry or employer testing, but Lincoln Tech does not establish that third-party certification fees are included or that a credential is guaranteed. Ask the campus which tests are offered.
- Which Lincoln Tech campuses have welding programs?
- Current official results identify welding offerings at East Point, GA; South Plainfield, NJ; Denver, CO; Columbia, MD; Grand Prairie, TX; Melrose Park, IL; Nashville, TN; and East Windsor, CT. This may not be a complete nationwide list, and 2026 offerings can change. Verify campus availability before applying.
- Is the Lincoln Tech welding program accredited?
- The South Plainfield, NJ source reports ACCSC accreditation and Title IV eligibility, but Lincoln Tech's official welding pages do not provide a single accreditation statement for every welding campus. A Melrose Park page notes Lincoln College of Technology has been BBB accredited since 1985, but BBB accreditation is not academic accreditation and does not by itself accredit welding programs. Confirm the specific legal entity and campus approval.
- What is the difference between a welding certificate and diploma at Lincoln Tech?
- The distinction is mainly the credential label and campus program structure, not universal content. Certificate options include the East Point pipe certificate and Columbia welding technology certificate. Diploma options include programs at Denver, Melrose Park, and Grand Prairie, often with more instructional hours. The best fit depends on campus offerings and your career goal, so compare program outlines directly.
Related Articles
Which Lincoln Tech campus has the welding credential that fits your schedule and goals? The answer depends on your location, timeline, and whether you want a certificate or diploma. Across campuses in Denver, Grand Prairie, East Windsor, South Plainfield, Indianapolis, Columbia, Mahwah, Melrose Park, and Houston, students get hands-on booth time and preparation for industry-recognized certifications. Start by requesting program details for the campus you are considering, then schedule a tour to see the booths and meet instructors. When you are ready, apply online or call admissions to confirm current costs, start dates, and financial aid options.