Advanced Manufacturing
Welding and Machine Tool Skills, Combined
Advanced Manufacturing Technology combines MCC's Welding and Machine Tool Technology programs into a single 71-credit AAS degree. You'll learn to cut, join, and shape metal — welding, fabrication, manual and CNC machine operation, and computer-aided drawing — building skills that cross both trades instead of specializing in just one.
Graduates typically move into roles like machine operator, CNC operator, or welder/fabricator, where employers value workers who can shift between machining and welding tasks as production needs change.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does the Advanced Manufacturing Technology program take?
The AAS degree is 71 credit hours, typically completed in about two years of full-time study at MCC's Marshalltown campus.
What will I actually learn?
The program was built by combining MCC's existing Welding and Machine Tool Technology curricula, so you're trained in both — cutting, joining, and fabricating metal, manual and CNC machine operation, computer-aided drawing, and precision part production — rather than specializing in just one trade.
What jobs can graduates get?
The dual skill set opens doors to roles like machine operator, CNC operator, and welder/fabricator. Nationally, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports 2024 median annual wages of about $51,000 for welders and $56,150 for machinists — actual pay depends on shift, certifications, and employer.
Is this program eligible for the Last-Dollar Scholarship?
Yes. Advanced Manufacturing Technology at MCC is on Iowa's 2026–27 Last-Dollar Scholarship list, which can cover tuition and mandatory fees for eligible Iowa residents after other aid is applied.
What does it cost?
Standard IVCCD tuition: $217 per credit hour for Iowa residents, plus a $26 institutional fee — about $2,916 per semester at 12 credits before aid.
Where is the program located?
MCC's main campus, 3700 S. Center St., Marshalltown, Iowa.
How do I get started?
Apply through PawPass, meet with an admissions advisor, and file the FAFSA to see what aid you qualify for.
Marshalltown Community College
3700 S. Center St. Marshalltown, IA 50158
mccinfo@iavalley.edu
641-752-7106