Quick Facts

• Location: Wahpeton, North Dakota
• Address: 800 6th St N, Wahpeton, ND 58076
• School Type: Public Two-Year Technical College
• Programs Offered: Welding, HVAC/R, Electrical Technology, Automotive, Diesel, Building Construction, Plumbing, Precision Machining, Robotics/Automation, Auto Body and many additional career programs
• Training Style: Extensive hands-on laboratories, certificates, diplomas and AAS degrees
• Tuition Range: 2026–27 North Dakota resident base tuition + standard fees: $211.51/credit, before instructional fees
• Program Length: Short certificates through 2-year AAS programs, plus selected advanced third-year pathways
• Online Programs Available: Yes college-wide
• Hybrid Learning: Selected programs/courses; most flagship trades are face-to-face
• Financial Aid: FAFSA, Pell Grants, federal loans, work-study, scholarships and other aid for qualifying students
• FAFSA School Code: 002996
• Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
• Average Rating: ⭐ 4.1 (60 Reviews)
• Website: Official NDSCS website

Overview

North Dakota State College of Science’s Wahpeton campus should be one of the top featured trade schools on your North Dakota page. Unlike the smaller Fargo campus, Wahpeton contains an exceptionally broad collection of traditional skilled-trade programs, including electrical, HVAC/R, welding, automotive, diesel and building construction.

NDSCS is a public technical college rather than a private short-term training school, allowing students to choose between focused certificates and longer college credentials.

Programs Offered

Major skilled-trade pathways include:

• Welding Technology
• Electrical Technology
• HVAC/R Technology
• Automotive Technology
• Diesel Technology
• Auto Body Repair & Refinishing
• Building Construction Technology
• Commercial Construction
• Plumbing
• Precision Machining
• Robotics, Automation & Mechatronics

Electrical Technology

Electrical Technology is one of NDSCS’s standout programs.

The Electrical Construction AAS combines electrical theory with extensive hands-on training in seven dedicated labs. Topics include:

• Residential wiring
• Commercial and industrial wiring
• National Electrical Code
• Motors
• Programmable controllers
• Electrical testing
• Instrumentation
• Building automation
• Renewable-energy systems

The program has a particularly valuable apprenticeship benefit. NDSCS states that it is the only North Dakota University System degree that qualifies most graduates for 2,000 hours of apprenticeship credit in North Dakota, South Dakota and Minnesota.

Graduation does not automatically make a student a licensed journeyman electrician; remaining apprenticeship, experience, examination and licensing requirements still apply.

NDSCS also offers a third-year Electrical Master Technician pathway adding medium/high voltage, instrumentation, fiber optics, HVAC/R controls and advanced automation.

HVAC/R Technology

The HVAC/R program is face-to-face in Wahpeton and combines classroom theory with extensive laboratory experience.

Students learn to:

• Test HVAC/R systems
• Troubleshoot electrical and mechanical components
• Repair equipment
• Perform maintenance
• Work with residential HVAC
• Work with light-commercial systems
• Service refrigeration equipment

This makes NDSCS particularly attractive for students who want a comprehensive HVAC education rather than a very short certificate.

Welding Technology

NDSCS offers Welding Technology at both Wahpeton and Fargo.

The curriculum covers:

• Welding and cutting processes
• Fabrication
• Print reading
• Metallurgy
• Robotics
• Welding theory and labs

The standard certificate requires 33 credits, while students can continue toward higher credentials including the AAS.

Automotive Technology

Automotive Technology is offered face-to-face at Wahpeton and emphasizes extensive shop experience.

Students diagnose and repair:

• Engines
• Automatic transmissions
• Brakes
• Electrical/electronic systems
• Engine-performance systems
• HVAC
• Suspension and steering
• Manual drivetrains and axles

The program carries ASE-related program accreditation/recognition.

Diesel Technology

Diesel students receive extensive practical training in:

• Diesel engines
• Drivetrains
• Hydraulics
• Electrical systems
• Diagnostics
• Truck equipment
• Agricultural equipment
• Industrial equipment

Students can pursue stackable certificates, a diploma or an AAS. Some Diesel certificates allow entry at the beginning of an eight-week period, providing more flexible start points.

Building & Commercial Construction

Building Construction Technology combines classroom instruction with realistic hands-on construction experiences and prepares students for residential, commercial and industrial construction.

NDSCS also offers a focused Commercial Construction certificate covering:

• Concrete
• Metal-stud construction
• Steel-frame construction
• Construction safety
• Print reading
• Welding
• Commercial finishes

Tuition & Financial Aid

For 2026–27 Wahpeton classes, NDSCS publishes:

North Dakota Resident
• Tuition — $168.83/credit
• Standard fees — $42.68/credit
• Base total — $211.51/credit

Minnesota Reciprocity
• $231.77/credit

Other U.S. Residents
• $245.28/credit

Program-specific instructional fees are additional. For example:

• Automotive/Diesel/Electrical-related prefixes — generally $30/credit
• Welding/HVAC-related prefixes — generally $45/credit
• Plumbing — $60/credit

Students therefore should not estimate their total program cost using base tuition alone.

Federal financial aid is available for eligible students/programs, and students are encouraged to submit FAFSA by April 1 to receive maximum consideration before the April 15 priority deadline.

FAFSA school code: 002996.

Accreditation

NDSCS is institutionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. Several technical programs also carry specialized industry accreditation, including Automotive and Diesel.

Why Students Choose This School

• One of North Dakota’s broadest skilled-trade selections
• Electrical program with potential 2,000 apprenticeship-hour credit
• HVAC/R laboratories
• Welding certificate through AAS
• Automotive and Diesel programs
• Construction and Plumbing
• Robotics and advanced manufacturing
• Stackable credentials
• Public technical-college structure
• Federal financial aid for qualifying students
• On-campus college experience

Career Opportunities

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

• Electrician Apprentice
• Electrical Technician
• HVAC/R Technician
• Welder/Fabricator
• Automotive Technician
• Diesel Technician
• Heavy Equipment Technician
• Carpenter
• Construction Technician
• Plumbing Apprentice
• CNC/Machining Technician
• Automation/Mechatronics Technician

Licensing and apprenticeship requirements vary by occupation.

Student Reviews

Based on your supplied Google listing:

⭐ Average Rating: 4.1 (60 Reviews)

Because Wahpeton is a full college with many programs, prospective students should look for recent reviews relevant to their particular trade department.

Enrollment Tips

Students should compare Fargo and Wahpeton carefully.

NDSCS-Fargo: especially useful for Welding, Technical Studies/Journeyworker and several non-trade career programs.

NDSCS-Wahpeton: much stronger for students wanting the full traditional trade-school experience, including Electrical, HVAC/R, Automotive, Diesel, Construction and additional technical fields.

For electrical students, the potential 2,000 apprenticeship-hour credit makes Wahpeton especially worth comparing with other North Dakota programs.

Bottom Line

North Dakota State College of Science — Wahpeton should be a top featured school on TradeSchoolScout’s North Dakota page. Few schools in the state match its breadth across electrical, HVAC/R, welding, automotive, diesel, construction, plumbing and advanced manufacturing. The Electrical Construction pathway is particularly noteworthy because most graduates can receive up to 2,000 hours of apprenticeship credit toward applicable requirements in North Dakota, South Dakota and Minnesota.