Your Career, Your Terms: Trade School VS College

With college tuition climbing into six figures and student-loan debt at an all-time high, many prospective students are asking: “Is trade school better than college?” and “What’s the real difference between trade school and college?” For those drawn to hands-on work and looking for strong earning potential without years of debt, a career in the welding industry is an appealing alternative!

When comparing the cost of trade school vs. college, the numbers speak for themselves. Today, we're comparing one of our welding packages to a four-year bachelor's degree to demonstrate how our classes can equip you with the necessary skills at a fraction of the cost, all within just a few months!

At Earlbeck, we make welding training affordable, flexible, and tailored to your goals. Choose the classes, processes, or certifications you want, with daytime or evening options for busy schedules. Finish in as little as three to eight months, and save more with our value-packed class packages.

	EARLBECK'S CLASS PACKAGE*	4 YEAR BACHELORS DEGREE*
Length + Time to Start Earning	3-8 Months	4 Years
Cost	$5,460	$138,000
Avg Debt	None if you play your cards right! There are lots scholarships and grant funded programs that let you to get welder training from Earlbeck at a free or reduced rate!	$33,500
Job Market Demand	High and growing nationwide	Varies by degree field

*Class Package Deal: Fundamentals/ Blueprint/ ​Intermediate Stick,​ MIG / or TIG
*Figures based on:  U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics, IPEDS, Fall 2022, Institutional Characteristics component (provisional data) & Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS), Spring 2002 through Spring 2011 and Winter 2011-12 through Winter 2020-21,

College can be a great choice for some, but it isn’t the only path to success. Welding offers a faster, more affordable, and equally rewarding alternative for those who enjoy hands-on work, seek financial stability, and want a career that is always in demand.

If you're interested in pursuing a career in welding, the Earlbeck Technical Center is ready to help you get started. Your future could be just a few months away! 

​This class is designed to provide the necessary knowledge and skills for an entry-level welder. Oxy-Fuel, Gas Tungsten Arc (TIG), Gas Metal Arc (MIG), and Shielded Metal Arc (Stick) processes are taught with 60% theory and 40% hands-on practice. Additional lectures are given on basic metallurgy, welding codes, nondestructive examination, and welding symbols for a well-rounded understanding of welding.

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 ​For all students aiming to enter the welding workforce, we recommend taking our Welding Blueprint course concurrently with Fundamentals of Welding. This course offers a review of measurements, lines, and views, before progressing on to symbols and structural shapes. It also covers basic joints, special welds, tolerances, and more, setting you up for success in the field!

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OUTCOME:
Stick: AWS D1.1  Certification
TIG: AWS D17.1  Certification
MIG: GMAW AWS D9.1 + FCAW AWS D1.1  Certification

This course is designed to advance the student’s skills and material prep in whichever process they decide.

For MIG, emphasis will be placed on welding fillet and groove welds in carbon steel in all positions, geared towards Structural Welding Code vertical and overhead tests. 
​For TIG, emphasis will be placed on welding flat, horizontal, and vertical fillet welds and flat groove welds in carbon steel, stainless steel, and aluminum, geared towards AWS D17.1 Fusion Welding for Aerospace Application.
For Stick, emphasis will be placed on welding of fillet and groove welds in carbon steel using E7018 electrodes in all positions- geared towards Structural Welding Code vertical and overhead tests.

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 Mastering these skills makes you job-ready right out of the gate and opens doors in virtually every industry. Completing our whole class package earns you the credentials and AWS certifications that demonstrate both your hands-on skills and your welding knowledge. 

ENROLL TODAY!

Interested in becoming a welder?
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You could be rising the ranks in industries such as structural & fabrication welding, pipefitting & industrial maintenance, robotic welding & advanced manufacturing, automotive & aerospace, artisan fabrication & repair work, and much more!

We've helped thousands of welders achieve their goals in our 100+ years in business, and you could be part of that lineage. Enroll in our Welding Package Deal today to save time and money, and start earning quickly!