Quick Facts

• Location: Duluth, Minnesota
• Address: 2101 Trinity Rd, Duluth, MN 55811
• School Type: Public Community & Technical College / Minnesota State
• Programs Offered: Welding, Commercial & Residential Wiring, Automotive Service Technology, Machine Tool/CNC, Aviation Maintenance, Engineering CAD and other technical programs
• Training Style: Hands-on laboratories, certificates, diplomas and AAS degrees
• Tuition Range: 2026–27 average on-campus tuition and fees $211.63/credit; program differentials may apply
• Program Length: Short certificates through approximately 2-year diplomas/AAS degrees
• Online Programs Available: Yes
• Hybrid Learning: Yes — including a hybrid one-year Welding Technologist diploma
• Financial Aid: FAFSA, grants, scholarships and other qualifying aid
• FAFSA School Code: 005757
• Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
• Average Rating: ⭐ 4.3 (110 Reviews)
• Website: Official Lake Superior College website

Overview

Lake Superior College is one of northern Minnesota’s most important technical-education providers. Its Duluth campus combines a community-college environment with strong career programs in welding, electrical wiring, automotive service, machining, CAD and aviation maintenance.

LSC is particularly useful for students who want multiple credential levels. Welding alone ranges from shorter training through a one-year hybrid diploma and two-year advanced pathways.

Programs Offered

Major trade-oriented options include:

• Welding
• Welding Technologist
• Commercial & Residential Wiring
• Automotive Service Technology
• Auto Maintenance & Light Repair
• Machine Tool/CNC
• Aviation Maintenance Technology
• Engineering CAD Technology

Welding

LSC offers several welding pathways.

The Welding Technologist Diploma is:

• 32 credits
• 1 year
• Hybrid

Most technical welding courses still take place in on-site labs, but some coursework is online. Students learn:

• GMAW/MIG
• GTAW/TIG
• FCAW
• SMAW/Stick
• Oxy-fuel processes

Students can continue into the more advanced 65-credit, two-year Welding Diploma.

LSC also offers a 60-credit, two-year Welding AAS, which combines advanced welding/fabrication preparation with a pathway toward further manufacturing education.

Commercial & Residential Wiring

This is one of LSC’s strongest traditional-trade programs.

Students can pursue:

• 68-credit Diploma — 2 years
• 82-credit AAS — 2 years

Training includes:

• Residential wiring
• Commercial wiring
• Industrial electrical systems
• AC/DC motor controls
• Electrical distribution panels
• Testing equipment
• Programmable controllers

Importantly, Minnesota’s Department of Labor and Industry has approved the AAS program for one year of credit toward the Journeyman Electrician exam.

The program is high demand with limited seats, so early application is recommended.

Automotive Service Technology

The Automotive Service Technology diploma is:

• 72 credits
• 2 years
• On campus

Students learn vehicle diagnosis and repair involving:

• Engines
• Transmissions
• Drivetrains
• Steering and suspension
• Brakes
• Electrical/electronic systems
• HVAC
• Fuel injection
• Light-duty diesel systems
• Hybrid vehicles

The program follows ASE Education Foundation requirements and prepares students for professional ASE certification.

Machine Tool & Manufacturing

LSC also offers machining credentials ranging from manual machining through more advanced manufacturing pathways. Training includes precision measurement, mills, lathes, grinders and production equipment.

This gives students another option for entering Duluth-area manufacturing without pursuing a four-year engineering degree.

Tuition & Financial Aid

For Fall 2026, Spring 2027 and Summer 2027, Lake Superior College’s average rates are:

On Campus
• Tuition — $187.41/credit
• Average fees/charges — $24.22
• Total — $211.63/credit

Online
• Tuition — $204.22/credit
• Average fees/charges — $18.22
• Total — $222.44/credit

Some technical programs carry additional tuition differentials because of specialized equipment and facilities.

Students can apply for FAFSA-based aid. LSC’s federal school code is 005757.

Accreditation

Lake Superior College has been accredited by the Higher Learning Commission since 1998.

Why Students Choose This School

• Strong welding program
• One-year hybrid welding option
• Two-year advanced welding pathways
• Electrical program with Minnesota journeyman-exam experience credit
• Automotive and hybrid-vehicle training
• Machine Tool/CNC pathways
• Aviation maintenance training
• Relatively low public-college tuition
• Multiple certificate-to-degree options

Career Opportunities

Graduates may pursue entry-level positions such as:

• Welder/Fabricator
• Electrician Apprentice
• Electrical Technician
• Automotive Technician
• CNC/Machine Technician
• Aviation Maintenance Technician
• CAD Technician
• Manufacturing Technician

Additional licensing and certification requirements may apply.

Student Reviews

Based on your supplied Google data:

⭐ Average Rating: 4.3 (110 Reviews)

Students should prioritize recent reviews mentioning their intended technical department rather than relying solely on the college-wide rating.

Enrollment Tips

Electrical applicants should apply early because LSC specifically identifies Commercial & Residential Wiring as a high-demand, limited-seat program.

Welding students should compare the one-year 32-credit hybrid diploma against the 60-credit AAS and 65-credit diploma. The shorter program can provide faster workforce entry, while the two-year options offer considerably more advanced training.

Bottom Line

Lake Superior College should be a featured northern Minnesota trade-school option. Welding, electrical wiring and automotive are particularly strong, while machining, CAD and aviation maintenance broaden the career choices. Its 2026–27 average on-campus cost of about $211.63 per credit including typical fees also keeps it competitive with other Minnesota public technical colleges.