Quick Facts

• Location: Grain Valley, Missouri
• Address: 300 NW Jefferson St, Grain Valley, MO 64029
• School Type: Private Specialized Welding School
• Programs Offered: Master Pipe Welding, Structural & Alloy Welding, Hobby Welding
• Training Style: Approximately 80% hands-on / 20% classroom
• Tuition Range: $15,750–$21,000 for career programs; tuition includes tools, gear, materials, supplies, books and certification testing
• Program Length: 16 weeks Structural & Alloy; 24 weeks Master Pipe Welding
• Online Programs Available: No
• Hybrid Learning: No
• Financial Aid: VA benefits, Vocational Rehabilitation, SkillUP and in-house payment plans; Pell Grants/federal student aid not accepted
• Class Options: Multiple weekday shifts
• Student/Instructor Ratio: Maximum approximately 12:1
• Certification Opportunities: Two AWS certification tests included with career programs
• Average Rating: ⭐ 4.8 (42 Reviews)
• Website: Official Crider’s Institute website

Overview

Crider’s Institute of Welding Technology is a small specialized welding school in Grain Valley, roughly 15 minutes east of Kansas City. The school has operated since 2015 and focuses on intensive welding instruction rather than general academic coursework.

Crider’s model is approximately 80% hands-on and 20% classroom instruction, with no more than about 12 students per instructor. Students can choose a shorter 16-week Structural & Alloy program or continue into a 24-week Master Pipe Welding program.

Programs Offered

Master Pipe Welding Program

The Master Pipe Welding Program consists of:

• 600 hours
• 24 weeks
• 25 hours per week
• Tuition: $21,000

Training includes:

• Oxy-fuel and arc cutting
• Basic and advanced SMAW
• Basic and advanced GTAW
• Pipe welding
• GMAW
• FCAW
• Fabrication layout
• Blueprint reading

The program includes two welding certification tests, along with tools, gear, materials, supplies and books.

Structural & Alloy Welding

Students who don’t need the full pipe-welding curriculum can choose the shorter Structural & Alloy Welding program.

It includes:

• 400 hours
• 16 weeks
• 25 hours per week
• Tuition: $15,750

The program omits the advanced PIPE-201 component but retains substantial hands-on training in structural and alloy welding.

Like the Master Pipe program, the $15,750 price includes tools, gear, materials, supplies, books and two certification tests.

Welding Processes

Across its professional programs, students can train in:

• SMAW / Stick
• GTAW / TIG
• GMAW / MIG
• FCAW / Flux Core
• Pipe welding
• Stainless-steel welding
• Aluminum welding
• Cutting and fabrication

Crider’s facility contains 12 welding booths with individual welding machines and positioners, along with arc/TIG equipment, MIG/FCAW machines, cutting torches, pipe-beveling machines, plasma cutting equipment, an ironworker and band saw.

Tuition & Financial Aid

Current published career-program prices are:

• Structural & Alloy Welding — $15,750
• Master Pipe Welding — $21,000

Those prices are especially useful for directory users because Crider’s says they include:

• Tuition
• Books
• Supplies
• Tools
• Two welding certification tests

Crider’s does not accept federal Pell Grants or conventional federal financial aid.

Instead, available assistance can include:

• VA/GI Bill benefits
• Missouri Vocational Rehabilitation
• SkillUP
• In-house payment plans

Certification

Students completing the Master Welding program receive a certificate of completion and the opportunity to take two American Welding Society certification tests at the school. Testing is included in the program.

The school also identifies its staff credentials as including an AWS Certified Welding Educator and Certified Welding Inspector.

Why Students Choose This School

• Small specialized welding school
• Approximately 80% hands-on instruction
• Maximum 12:1 student/instructor ratio
• 16-week and 24-week options
• Pipe, stainless and aluminum welding
• Two certification tests included
• Tools and supplies included in tuition
• Multiple weekday class shifts
• In-house payment plans
• Kansas City-area location

Career Opportunities

Graduates may pursue entry-level roles such as:

• Structural Welder
• Pipe Welder
• TIG Welder
• MIG Welder
• Flux-Core Welder
• Fabrication Welder
• Manufacturing Welder
• Industrial Welder

Skills can apply across manufacturing, construction, pipelines, automotive, shipbuilding and other metal-fabrication industries.

Student Reviews

Based on your supplied Google data:

⭐ Average Rating: 4.8 (42 Reviews)

The rating is strong, although prospective students should still read recent reviews and compare the two available career programs before enrolling.

Enrollment Tips

The biggest decision is between the 16-week Structural & Alloy program and 24-week Master Pipe program.

Students who primarily want fabrication, structural or production welding may not need the additional pipe curriculum. Those targeting pipe welding, industrial construction or higher-skill TIG/pipe work should investigate the Master Pipe program.

Crider’s operates Monday through Friday with extended weekday hours, allowing multiple training shifts.

Applicants relying on financial aid should also confirm funding before signing an enrollment agreement because Pell Grants are not accepted.

Bottom Line

Crider’s Institute of Welding Technology is a compelling Kansas City-area option for students who want small classes and highly concentrated hands-on welding training. The 16-week Structural & Alloy program costs $15,750, while the 24-week Master Pipe program costs $21,000, with tools, materials, books and two certification tests included. Its 80% hands-on model and roughly 12:1 maximum student/instructor ratio make it particularly attractive to students who learn best by spending most of their training time in the welding booth.