Quick Facts

• Location: Saint Paul, Minnesota
• Address: 235 Marshall Ave, Saint Paul, MN 55102
• School Type: Public Community & Technical College / Minnesota State
• Programs Offered: Welding, Electrical Technology, Carpentry, Plumbing, Pipefitting, Sheet Metal/HVAC, Automotive Service Technology, Medium & Heavy Duty Truck Technology, CNC Toolmaking, Electromechanical Systems and more
• Training Style: Hands-on technical shops, diplomas, certificates, AAS degrees and apprenticeship-connected training
• Tuition Range: Fall 2026 on-campus tuition $202.55–$306.80/credit depending on course/program; total tuition and standard fees $231.20–$335.45/credit
• Program Length: Approximately 1–2 years for many trades; Pipefitting diploma is 2 semesters
• Online Programs Available: Yes, including separate online career-training offerings
• Hybrid Learning: Available in selected coursework; core trade programs are primarily hands-on
• Financial Aid: FAFSA, grants, scholarships, loans and other aid for qualifying students/programs
• Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
• Average Rating: ⭐ 4.2 (247 Reviews)
• Website: Official Saint Paul College website

Overview

Saint Paul College is one of the most comprehensive skilled-trades colleges in the Twin Cities. Current programs span welding, electrical, carpentry, automotive, CNC machining, electromechanical automation, pipefitting, plumbing, sheet metal/HVAC and heavy-duty truck technology.

The college is particularly attractive for students who want traditional construction trades that are sometimes difficult to find at community colleges. Pipefitting, plumbing and sheet metal sit alongside manufacturing and automotive programs, creating several routes into union, apprenticeship and direct-employment pathways.

Programs Offered

Major trade programs include:

• Welding
• Electrical Technology
• Carpentry
• Automotive Service Technician
• CNC Toolmaking
• Electromechanical Systems
• Pipefitting
• Plumbing
• Sheet Metal/HVAC Ducts & Fittings
• Medium & Heavy Duty Truck Technician

Welding

Saint Paul College’s Welding program emphasizes TIG, MIG and Stick welding using mild steel, aluminum and stainless steel. Students also work with fabrication equipment including press brakes, CNC plasma cutting, powered slip rolls, shears and punches.

The program goes beyond basic welding beads by incorporating fabrication projects and skills relevant to structural steel, aerospace, industrial machinery and manufacturing.

Graduates may also use their training as a foundation for union apprenticeships in fields such as pipefitting, sheet metal and ironworking.

Electrical Technology

Electrical Technology provides hands-on instruction in a dedicated electrical shop where students build projects designed to simulate real-world electrical work.

The program is intended to prepare students for supervised entry-level electrical employment. Students should remember that completing school does not by itself make them licensed journey-level electricians; Minnesota experience and licensing requirements still apply.

Carpentry

Carpentry is a hands-on diploma program emphasizing construction and interior finish work. Students work on real-world projects for community partners while learning skills such as:

• Structural construction
• Door installation
• Window trimming
• Base moulding
• Construction tools
• Finish carpentry

Saint Paul College reports that 80% of its Carpentry graduates are employed in construction.

Automotive Service Technician

Automotive students can choose a 56-credit diploma or continue into an AAS pathway.

Students train in a dedicated automotive shop and learn to diagnose, maintain and repair vehicles using current testing equipment, specialized tools and service information. Students must provide their own basic tools and toolbox.

Saint Paul College also lists the ASE Education Foundation among its programmatic accreditors.

Pipefitting

Pipefitting is especially noteworthy because it is a joint restricted-enrollment program with St. Paul Pipefitters Local 455. Admission to the Local 455 apprenticeship program is required before students can enroll in the diploma.

The diploma takes 2 semesters.

Current estimated program cost for the 40-credit diploma is approximately $9,548–$13,718, including tuition, standard fees and about $300 in estimated supplies/tools.

That apprenticeship connection makes Saint Paul College particularly valuable for students seeking a structured route into the pipe trades.

Tuition & Financial Aid

For Fall 2026, Saint Paul College publishes:

• On-campus tuition — $202.55–$306.80/credit
• Standard fees — approximately $28.65/credit
• Total on-campus tuition/fees — $231.20–$335.45/credit
• Online tuition — $226.17/credit
• Online tuition + fees — $254.82/credit

Program and special course fees can be additional.

For a typical full-time student taking 15 credits per semester, the college’s 2026–27 financial-aid budget estimates $6,077 in annual tuition plus $860 in fees before books, housing and personal expenses.

Accreditation

Saint Paul College is fully accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. The college completed its latest HLC mid-cycle site visit in October 2024.

Individual programs may also hold specialized industry accreditation.

Why Students Choose This School

• Excellent variety of construction trades
• Welding and fabrication training
• Electrical Technology
• Plumbing and pipefitting pathways
• Local 455-connected Pipefitting program
• Automotive and heavy-truck training
• CNC and electromechanical programs
• Public-college tuition
• Downtown Saint Paul location

Career Opportunities

Depending on program, graduates may pursue entry-level roles such as:

• Welder/Fabricator
• Electrician Apprentice
• Carpenter
• Automotive Technician
• Diesel/Truck Technician
• CNC Machinist
• Industrial Maintenance Technician
• Pipefitter Apprentice
• Plumber Apprentice
• Sheet Metal Worker

Student Reviews

Based on your supplied Google data:

⭐ Average Rating: 4.2 (247 Reviews)

Because Saint Paul College offers both general education and dozens of career programs, students should focus on recent reviews discussing their intended trade.

Enrollment Tips

Students interested in Pipefitting should not apply as though it were a normal open-enrollment college program. Acceptance into the St. Paul Pipefitters Local 455 apprenticeship is required.

For other programs, compare the complete cost rather than only tuition. Automotive students need their own tools, while construction/manufacturing programs can have additional supply and equipment expenses.

Bottom Line

Saint Paul College should be a featured school on the Minnesota page. Its combination of welding, electrical, carpentry, plumbing, pipefitting, sheet metal/HVAC, automotive, heavy truck and CNC training makes it one of the Twin Cities’ strongest public options for skilled trades. Its apprenticeship-connected Pipefitting program is an especially valuable differentiator.