Missouri Welding Institute
Go From Zero Experience to Job Ready Welder in 18 Weeks.
MWI has been training people in the nation's most in-demand trades for 30 years. New classes every 2 weeks — watch the video to see if MWI is right for you.
Founded 1994 · Nevada, MO · AWS Educational Facility of the Year 2022 · 917 verified reviews · 4.86 / 5 stars · 97% job placement
Talk to our team
Tell us where you're at. We'll tell you if MWI is the right fit.
Your information is kept confidential and never sold. MWI admissions reps have 20+ combined years of experience. They will cover which program fits your goals, funding options, housing, and start dates — with no obligation.
The Programs
Two programs. Built for the highest-demand work in the trade.
Master Structural Welding & Fitting — $18,900 · 11 weeks
Trains you to journeyman level in structural steel welding and fitting. All four major processes — Stick, MIG, Flux Core, TIG — in all positions. AWS and ASME certified. 40 hours a week in the shop. Graduates are ready for field construction, manufacturing, and shop work. Great starting point for someone who wants to get working fast.
Master Pipe Welding & Fitting — $25,900 · 18 weeks
The full program. Structural plus pipe welding and fitting. All four processes, all positions, pipe and plate. This is what qualifies you for the highest-demand work in the trade: refineries, power plants, chemical plants, and industrial construction. The certifications hiring managers screen for. This is the program most students choose.
Every instructor worked the trade before they ever taught it.
Every instructor here is an MWI graduate who went out and actually welded for a living. Refineries. Power plants. Chemical plants. Nuclear facilities. Pipelines. Steel mills. They didn't go from a textbook to a classroom. Our President and Director of Training, Clint Parker, has worked nuclear power plants, coal plants, paper mills, and refineries. They know exactly what a hiring manager looks for — because they've been on the other side of a weld test.
AWS Educational Facility of the Year — 2022. Family-run since 1994.
In 2022, the American Welding Society — the top professional body in the entire welding industry — named MWI their Educational Facility of the Year. Out of every welding school in the country. Tom Hollands founded MWI in 1994. His son Brian runs it now. Our owner has certified to both AWS D1.1 structural code and ASME Section IX. 4.86 stars across 917 verified reviews. This isn't a school run by admins. It's run by welders.
Earning potential
Industry Averages of Welding Pay
Industry earnings by experience tier
Source: BLS Occupational Employment Statistics, May 2024
What experienced pipe welders earn
Source: MWI published data; Missouri DOL. Annual estimates based on full-time hours.
Compare that to four years of college: $40,000 to $100,000 in debt, a degree that may or may not lead to a job, and years spent in classrooms instead of building real skills. MWI's Master Pipe program takes 18 weeks. Graduates leave with Welder Performance Certification papers to AWS and ASME code — the same documents employers and union halls require on day one.
Funding your training
Most students don't pay full tuition out of pocket.
Our admissions team has over 20 years of combined experience navigating funding. When you talk to us, we'll look at your specific situation and tell you what you actually qualify for.
Funding options available to students
- 01Sallie Mae private loans — cover up to $40,000, enough to handle tuition, housing, and living expenses while you train
- 02AWS Scholarships — the American Welding Society awards over $1.5 million in scholarships annually to welding students; we'll point you toward the application
- 03GI Bill® — if you've served, your benefits may cover a significant portion of training at MWI
- 04Fast Track Workforce Incentive Grant — a Missouri state program for adults entering high-demand fields; welding qualifies
- 05WIOA grants — available through local workforce career centers for students who qualify
- 06Missouri A+ Scholarship — eligible Missouri high school graduates can receive $1,000 toward tuition
- 07Vocational Rehabilitation — if you have a disability, Missouri's VR program may cover training costs as part of a return-to-work plan
Common questions
Answers before you call.
Is this really worth the cost?
The question isn't whether $18,900 or $25,900 is a lot of money. The question is what you compare it to. A four-year degree costs $40,000 to $100,000 and takes four years. MWI takes 11 to 18 weeks and puts you into one of the most in-demand skilled trades in the country. For most graduates, this pays for itself fast.
I've never welded before. Can I actually do this?
Most of our students start with zero experience. That's what the training is for. You don't need a background. You need to show up, work hard, and put in the hours. Our instructors have built welders from scratch for over 30 years — they know exactly how to get you there.
What do I do about housing?
MWI offers housing right here in Nevada, Missouri, managed by our staff. You don't have to figure that out on your own. Show up ready to train. We handle the rest.
What if I need financial help?
That's exactly what our admissions team is for. We've helped students access grants, scholarships, and loan programs they didn't even know existed. Get on a call with us and we'll go through your specific situation together.
How do I know employers will actually hire me?
MWI graduates go to work in refineries, power plants, chemical plants, steel mills, and industrial sites all over the country. We've been placing graduates in those industries for over 30 years — employers know our name. Our Director of Placement is an MWI grad who spent decades working shutdowns across oil and gas, refineries, chemical plants, and ethanol facilities. He knows who's hiring and what they're looking for.
Is MWI accredited? How does financial aid work?
MWI is a licensed private vocational school in Missouri. It is not federally funded, and graduates do not receive a 1098-T form. Financial aid options include scholarships, grants, private student loans, and veteran benefits. The school is listed on KansasWorks for potential WIOA eligibility. Confirm your specific eligibility on a call with our admissions team.