Is this school public or private?

This is a private for-profit school.

What percentage of students receive Pell Grants?

56.6% of students receive Pell Grants.

Which programs are offered and what credential level do they represent?

Programs include Practical Nursing, HVAC, Electrical installation, Vehicle repair, Allied Health, Dental support, Cosmetology, and Plumbing. They are mainly undergraduate certificates.

What are the typical earnings for graduates of the Practical Nursing program two years after completion?

The median earnings two years after completion for Practical Nursing are $44,711.

How many students typically finish their studies at this school?

The reported completion rate is 47.1%.

Home › Connecticut › Welding schools › Porter & Chester Institute

Porter & Chester Institute

Bridgeport, Connecticut · private for-profit · mainly awards certificates · 1,373 students · WeldingMachining & CNCHVACElectricianElectrical LinemanPlumbingDiesel MechanicsAutomotive TechnologyAviation MaintenanceDental AssistingMedical AssistingPractical Nursing (LPN/LVN)CosmetologyBarbering

Avg net price / yr

$18,348

cheaper than 12% of comparable schools

Completion rate

47.1%

Median debt at completion

$12,000

Median earnings (10 yrs after entry)

$41,588

earns ~$2,266.6 per $1k of yearly net price

About

Porter & Chester Institute is a private for-profit school in Bridgeport, CT that mainly awards certificates. It serves students seeking training in trades like nursing, HVAC, and automotive repair. Data comes from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.

What to know

The average annual net price after aid is $18,348. The median student debt at completion is $12,000. Reported median earnings 10 years after entry are $41,588. The completion rate is 47.1%.

Net price is 19% below the Connecticut median ($22,677) for schools offering these programs. Reported median earnings are 8% above the national median ($38,354) for comparable schools.

See what aid you may qualify for

56.6% of students here receive federal Pell Grants. Get aid deadlines and program matches for Welding programs in Connecticut.

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Programs & what graduates earn

Program	Credential	Median earnings 2 yrs after completion
Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants	undergraduate certificate	$44,711
Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician (HAC, HACR, HVAC, HVACR)	undergraduate certificate	$37,088
Electrical and Power Transmission Installers	undergraduate certificate	$35,088
Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians	undergraduate certificate	$30,016
Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services	undergraduate certificate	$28,583
Dental Support Services and Allied Professions	undergraduate certificate	$26,268
Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services	undergraduate certificate	not reported
Plumbing and Related Water Supply Services	undergraduate certificate	not reported
Precision Metal Working	undergraduate certificate	not reported
Drafting/Design Engineering Technologies/Technicians	undergraduate certificate	$38,829
Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications	undergraduate certificate	$36,162
Electrical/Electronics Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians	undergraduate certificate	$29,685
Health and Medical Administrative Services	undergraduate certificate	$25,194

Get paid while you train instead

Registered apprenticeships are an alternative to paying for school — sponsors pay wages from day one. In Connecticut:

Questions students ask

Is this school public or private?: This is a private for-profit school.
What percentage of students receive Pell Grants?: 56.6% of students receive Pell Grants.
Which programs are offered and what credential level do they represent?: Programs include Practical Nursing, HVAC, Electrical installation, Vehicle repair, Allied Health, Dental support, Cosmetology, and Plumbing. They are mainly undergraduate certificates.
What are the typical earnings for graduates of the Practical Nursing program two years after completion?: The median earnings two years after completion for Practical Nursing are $44,711.
How many students typically finish their studies at this school?: The reported completion rate is 47.1%.

Other options in Connecticut

School	City	Net price / yr	Completion	Earnings (10 yr)
Lincoln Technical Institute-East Windsor	East Windsor	$27,006	61.2%	$38,683
Connecticut State Community College	New Britain	$11,513	25.4%	$41,344
Lincoln Technical Institute-New Britain	New Britain	$33,240	59.5%	$38,683

Data: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (most recent release, pulled July 2026), school ID 130174. Figures are federally reported medians and may lag current prices. "Not reported" means the federal dataset suppresses or lacks the value — often due to small cohort sizes. How we compute comparisons. This site is independent and not affiliated with any government agency or school.