--- title: "Western Welding Academy vs Tulsa Welding School 2026 | WWA." url: "https://www.westernweldingacademy.com/blog/western-welding-academy-vs-tulsa-welding-school-which-one-gets-you-hired-faster" --- 1. [Home](/) 2. /[Blog](/blog) Cost & Financing # Western Welding Academy vs Tulsa Welding School: Cost, Length, and Housing Compared Western Welding AcademyPublished September 16, 2026Updated October 6, 20264 min read In this article 1. [How Do Published Costs Compare?](#how-do-published-costs-compare) 2. [What About Housing and Living Costs?](#what-about-housing-and-living-costs) 3. [How Long Does Each Program Take?](#how-long-does-each-program-take) 4. [What Outcomes Does Each School Report?](#what-outcomes-does-each-school-report) 5. [Which School Is Right for You?](#which-school-is-right-for-you) 6. [Frequently Asked Questions](#frequently-asked-questions) 7. [Make the Decision That Fits Your Goals](#make-the-decision-that-fits-your-goals) ## How Do Published Costs Compare? Tulsa Welding School (TWS) lists a total program cost of $24,175 for its Professional Welder/Welding Specialist program and $29,675 for its Welding Specialist with Pipefitting program. The TWS AOS in Welding Technology / AAS in Welding Inspection & Quality Management program lists $47,900. Those totals include tuition and required fees, but not housing or living expenses. [Western Welding Academy](/) offers four programs, and each price includes tuition, tools and gear, and housing. The [Foundational Pipe Welder](/courses/foundational-pipe-welder) runs 12 weeks at $17,050. The [Professional Pipe Welder](/courses/professional-pipe-welder) runs 19 weeks at $27,600. The [Expert Pipe Welder](/courses/expert-pipe-welder) runs 24 weeks at $35,800. The [Advanced Structural Welding](/courses/advanced-structural-welding) program runs 12 weeks at $25,800. A $350 booth hold payment and a $500 housing security deposit are not included in those prices. ## What About Housing and Living Costs? TWS publishes an estimated monthly cost-of-attendance budget for students who live off campus. For Tulsa, it totals $3,015.56 a month for living expenses, travel, and personal costs. For Houston and Jacksonville, it totals $3,045.67 a month. At Western Welding Academy, furnished student housing is included in every program price, so there is no separate rent to budget while you train. ## How Long Does Each Program Take? According to TWS, its Professional Welding program can be completed in as little as seven months, and its Welding Specialist with Pipefitting program in as little as 9½ months. The pipefitting program is offered at the Jacksonville and Houston campuses. TWS marks that article as archived, so confirm current schedules with the school. Western Welding Academy programs run 12 weeks (Foundational and Advanced Structural), 19 weeks (Professional), or 24 weeks (Expert, 960 hours). 85% of class time is spent in the booth. | Category | Western Welding Academy | Tulsa Welding School | | --- | --- | --- | | Published program cost | $17,050 to $35,800 | $24,175 to $29,675 (welding certificate programs) | | Housing | Included in program prices | Not in the program cost; off-campus budget of $3,015.56 per month in Tulsa | | Program length | 12 to 24 weeks | As little as 7 to 9½ months | | Campus locations | Gillette, Wyoming | Tulsa, Jacksonville, Houston, Dallas Metro, Atlanta Metro, Phoenix | **Ready to start earning?** [**Apply now**](/apply) **or call (307) 284-5313 today.** ## What Outcomes Does Each School Report? In a November 2024 survey of Western Welding Academy alumni, graduates reported 94% hired within 90 days. The school has 2,000+ graduates and students from all 50 states, its instructors bring 330 years of combined instructor experience, and it is an AWS Accredited Test Facility. TWS publishes its own outcome disclosures; check its regulatory information pages for current figures and how they are calculated. When you compare any two schools, ask each one how its numbers are measured and over what period. ## Which School Is Right for You? TWS offers several campuses and a range of welding and other trade programs, including associate degree options. Western Welding Academy focuses on pipe welding in a single location in Gillette, Wyoming, with housing included in the price. Compare the published total cost, what you will spend on living expenses, how long you will be in training, and the outcomes each school reports, then choose the option that fits your goals. **Ready to start earning?** [**Apply now**](/apply) **or call (307) 284-5313 today.** ## Frequently Asked Questions **Q1. How much does Tulsa Welding School cost compared to Western Welding Academy?** TWS lists $24,175 for Professional Welder/Welding Specialist and $29,675 for Welding Specialist with Pipefitting, with housing budgeted separately. Western Welding Academy programs cost $17,050 to $35,800 with tuition, tools and gear, and housing included. **Q2. Does either school include housing?** Western Welding Academy includes housing in its program prices. TWS’s total program cost does not include housing; its off-campus cost-of-attendance budget for Tulsa is $3,015.56 a month. **Q3. Does Tulsa Welding School teach pipe welding?** TWS offers a Welding Specialist with Pipefitting program at its Jacksonville and Houston campuses, which it says can be completed in as little as 9½ months. **Q4. What job outcomes does Western Welding Academy report?** In a November 2024 alumni survey, Western Welding Academy graduates reported 94% hired within 90 days. **Q5. How long does it take to finish each program?** TWS says its Professional Welding program can be completed in as little as seven months and its pipefitting program in as little as 9½ months. Western Welding Academy offers 12-week (Foundational), 19-week (Professional), and 24-week (Expert) pipe welding programs. ## Make the Decision That Fits Your Goals Both schools train welders. Compare the full cost, the time in training, and where you want to work. Call (307) 284-5313 or [apply now](/apply) to talk with Western Welding Academy about its programs. ## Watch [![](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/uwfC_Vdl6q4/maxresdefault.jpg)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uwfC_Vdl6q4) Share [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.westernweldingacademy.com%2Fblog%2Fwestern-welding-academy-vs-tulsa-welding-school-which-one-gets-you-hired-faster)[X](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.westernweldingacademy.com%2Fblog%2Fwestern-welding-academy-vs-tulsa-welding-school-which-one-gets-you-hired-faster&text=Western%20Welding%20Academy%20vs%20Tulsa%20Welding%20School%3A%20Cost%2C%20Length%2C%20and%20Housing%20Compared)[LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/sharing/share-offsite/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.westernweldingacademy.com%2Fblog%2Fwestern-welding-academy-vs-tulsa-welding-school-which-one-gets-you-hired-faster)[Email](mailto:?subject=Western%20Welding%20Academy%20vs%20Tulsa%20Welding%20School%3A%20Cost%2C%20Length%2C%20and%20Housing%20Compared&body=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.westernweldingacademy.com%2Fblog%2Fwestern-welding-academy-vs-tulsa-welding-school-which-one-gets-you-hired-faster) In this article 1. [How Do Published Costs Compare?](#how-do-published-costs-compare) 2. [What About Housing and Living Costs?](#what-about-housing-and-living-costs) 3. [How Long Does Each Program Take?](#how-long-does-each-program-take) 4. [What Outcomes Does Each School Report?](#what-outcomes-does-each-school-report) 5. [Which School Is Right for You?](#which-school-is-right-for-you) 6. [Frequently Asked Questions](#frequently-asked-questions) 7. [Make the Decision That Fits Your Goals](#make-the-decision-that-fits-your-goals) Train in Gillette, WY Pipe welding programs - [Foundational Pipe Welder12 wks · $17,050](/courses/foundational-pipe-welder) - [Professional Pipe Welder19 wks · $27,600](/courses/professional-pipe-welder) - [Expert Pipe Welder24 wks · $35,800](/courses/expert-pipe-welder) - [Advanced Structural Welding12 wks · $25,800](/courses/advanced-structural-welding) All-inclusive: tuition, tools and gear, and housing. [Apply now](/apply)[Schedule a tour](/schedule-a-tour) ## Keep reading [All articles](/blog) - [ ![](/media/img/0r1a5586-open-graph-0ead6447.webp) Cost & Financing ### Welding Trade School vs Community College: Which Path Pays Off Faster? ](/blog/welding-trade-school-vs-community-college-which-path-pays-off-faster) - [ ![](/media/img/0r1a5697-open-graph-a608eb67.webp) Cost & Financing ### How Do You Compare Pipe Welding Schools in the USA on Job Placement, Cost, and Booth Time? ](/blog/what-are-the-best-pipe-welding-schools-in-the-usa-ranked-by-job-placement) - [ ![](/media/img/0r1a0112-open-graph-8478bc6e.webp) Cost & Financing ### How Do You Choose the Right Welding School for a Career Change? ](/blog/how-do-you-choose-the-right-welding-school-for-a-career-change) ## Do you have what it takes? Apply in minutes. An admissions advisor will call you to talk programs, start dates, housing and financing. [Apply now](/apply) [Schedule a tour](/schedule-a-tour)