Quick Facts

• Location: Goodland, Kansas
• Address: 1209 Harrison Ave, Goodland, KS 67735
• School Type: Public Technical College
• Programs Offered: Automotive Technology, Diesel Technology, Welding, Electrical Technology, Construction Technology, Plumbing, Mechanical Engineering Technology, Precision Agriculture and more
• Training Style: Highly hands-on shop instruction, work-based learning, certificates and Associate of Applied Science degrees
• Tuition Range: Contact the college for current 2026–27 program-specific cost; recent published technical-program tuition was about $9,000 per academic year before tools/books for several programs
• Program Length: 18-week certificates through 1- and 2-year technical pathways
• Online Programs Available: Limited; major trades are primarily campus-based
• Hybrid Learning: Not prominently advertised for core shop programs
• Financial Aid: FAFSA, Pell Grants, loans, scholarships, work-study and Kansas Promise Scholarship for qualifying students/programs
• Class Options: Full-time technical training, work-based learning and selected short-term programs
• Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
• FAFSA School Code: 005267
• Average Rating: ⭐ 4.2 (41 Reviews)
• Website: Official website

Overview

Fort Hays Tech | Northwest is a public technical college in Goodland with an unusually strong concentration of traditional skilled-trade programs. Its current lineup includes automotive, diesel, electrical, welding, construction and plumbing, along with precision agriculture and engineering-related technology.

The school’s model puts heavy emphasis on practical experience. Automotive students work in dealership-style repair bays, diesel students train on customer trucks and agricultural machinery, welding students spend much of their program in shop/work-based settings, and construction students participate in building an actual house.

Fort Hays Tech | Northwest is institutionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

Programs Offered

Trade-focused programs include:

• Automotive Technology
• Diesel Technology
• Welding Technology
• Electrical Technology
• Construction Technology
• Plumbing
• Mechanical Engineering Technology
• Precision Agriculture Technology

Welding Technology

Welding is one of the school’s standout programs.

Students study:

• Arc welding
• Oxyacetylene welding
• MIG / GMAW
• TIG / GTAW
• FCAW
• Brazing
• Pipe welding
• Thermal cutting
• Blueprint reading
• Fabrication
• Shop mathematics

The school currently offers:

• Two-semester work-based pathway toward a Technical Certificate C or associate-degree track
• 18-week pipe-and-plate welding pathway leading to a Technical Certificate A

Students can earn numerous NC3 credentials plus OSHA 30 and welding-process certifications.

Diesel Technology

Diesel Technology operates through the Kansas Institute of Diesel Technology on the Goodland campus.

Training includes:

• Diesel engine overhaul
• Electrical/electronic systems
• Heavy-duty transmissions
• Brakes
• Suspension and steering
• Hydraulics
• Fuel systems
• Air conditioning
• Farm machinery
• Truck systems

Much of the program involves hands-on work on actual customer trucks and farm equipment. Students can also pursue ASE Entry-Level credentials in diesel engines, electrical/electronic systems, brakes, suspension and steering.

Automotive Technology

Automotive Technology offers either an Associate of Applied Science or technical-certificate pathway. Students work in a dealership-style shop environment and perform real customer repair work.

Training covers:

• Engine systems
• Brakes
• Suspension and steering
• Transmissions
• Drivetrains
• Electronics
• Computer diagnostics
• HVAC
• Fuel/emissions systems

The program incorporates ASE/NATEF-related student certification opportunities.

Electrical Technology

Electrical Technology prepares students for entry-level work across:

• Residential wiring
• Commercial wiring
• Industrial wiring
• Motor controls
• PLCs
• Electrical troubleshooting
• National Electrical Code
• Industrial maintenance

The program includes Greenlee/NC3 and NCCER-related training, plus potential preparation for the Kansas journeyman exam. However, passing an exam alone does not remove the occupational work-experience requirements necessary for licensing.

Important current note: Fort Hays Tech | Northwest says the Electrical Technology program is full for the upcoming school year and is directing prospective students to a waiting list.

Construction Technology

Construction Technology is a two-year hands-on program in which students work through the phases of building an entire house.

Instruction includes:

• Foundations
• Framing
• Roofing
• Finish carpentry
• Blueprint reading
• Job estimating
• Building materials
• Energy-efficient construction

Students can pursue an AAS or technical certificate.

Plumbing

The Plumbing program provides practical training in:

• Residential and commercial plumbing
• Drain/waste/vent systems
• Water distribution
• Fuel-gas piping
• Plumbing fixtures
• Backflow prevention
• Plumbing code
• Print reading and estimating

Students can earn an AAS or technical certificate, and qualifying students may access Kansas Promise funding.

Tuition & Financial Aid

Fort Hays Tech | Northwest’s publicly indexed detailed cost sheet currently reflects 2025–26, not a complete 2026–27 program-price table. Because of that, I would not present those older figures as current tuition.

The older published sheet showed approximately $9,000 per academic year in tuition and fees for programs such as Automotive Technology before books, required technology and tools. Automotive and Diesel students were also advised that independently purchased specialty tools could run roughly $1,500–$3,000.

For the current listing use:

Tuition Range: Contact Fort Hays Tech | Northwest for current 2026–27 program-specific tuition and required tools/supplies.

Current financial aid is well verified. Students may qualify for:

• Federal Pell Grants
• SEOG
• Federal loans
• Scholarships
• Work-study
• Kansas Promise Scholarship

The FAFSA school code is 005267.

Kansas Promise Scholarship

This is an especially important advantage.

For 2026–27, eligible Fort Hays Tech | Northwest programs include:

• Automotive Technology
• Diesel Technology
• Welding
• Electrical Technology
• Construction Technology
• Plumbing
• Engineering Technology

Current Promise application deadlines are:

• Fall 2026 — October 1, 2026
• Spring 2027 — March 1, 2027

Awards are first-come, first-served and can close early if funding is exhausted.

Why Students Choose This School

• Strong concentration of real skilled trades
• Extensive hands-on work
• Live customer automotive and diesel jobs
• 18-week welding option
• Electrical, construction and plumbing pathways
• Kansas Promise-eligible trade programs
• Industry-recognized credentials
• AAS and technical-certificate choices
• On-campus housing available

Career Opportunities

Depending on the selected program, graduates may pursue entry-level careers such as:

• Automotive Technician
• Diesel Technician
• Heavy Equipment Technician
• Welder/Fabricator
• Pipe Welder
• Electrical Technician
• Electrician Apprentice
• Carpenter
• Construction Technician
• Plumber Apprentice
• Agricultural Equipment Technician

Additional apprenticeship, work-experience or licensing requirements can apply.

Student Reviews

Based on your supplied Google listing data:

⭐ Average Rating: 4.2 (41 Reviews)

That is a reasonable score, though the sample is smaller than many larger technical colleges.

Enrollment Tips

Students interested in Electrical Technology should contact the school immediately because the program is currently reported as full, with a waiting list for future openings.

For Kansas residents, the Kansas Promise Scholarship should be one of the first funding options investigated. Many of the school’s strongest programs qualify, including automotive, diesel, welding, electrical, construction and plumbing.

Automotive and diesel students should also budget separately for professional tools rather than looking only at tuition.

Bottom Line

Fort Hays Tech | Northwest is one of the strongest pure hands-on trade colleges in western Kansas. Its combination of automotive, diesel, welding, electrical, construction and plumbing gives students several direct routes into skilled occupations, while Kansas Promise eligibility can substantially improve affordability for qualifying residents. For the Kansas state page, I would rank it among the schools worth featuring prominently.