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Great Bay Community College
Portsmouth, New Hampshire · Public community college · Training programs available:
Address: 320 Corporate Drive, Portsmouth, NH 03801 · Phone: (603) 427-7600 · School website ↗ · Verify on College Scorecard ↗
No accreditor sanctions in the last 36 months
Great Bay Community College is a public trade and career school in Portsmouth, NH, offering welding, surgical technology, and massage therapy programs, accredited by NECHE.
Great Bay Community College has a 33.5% completion rate, below the New Hampshire average of 56.1%, with median graduate debt of $13,828 and median earnings of $42,397 ten years after entry, per the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Cost of attendance is not reported for this campus in federal data; federal financial aid can be used here, and about 25.8% of students receive Pell Grants.
What these trades pay once you're working
| Occupation | Starting (10th pct) | Median | Experienced (75th) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Welders, cutters, solderers and brazers | $47,540 | $62,360 | $74,420 |
| Surgical technologists | $56,760 | $75,040 | $81,570 |
| Massage therapists | $36,500 | $80,360 | $100,550 |
| Automotive service technicians and mechanics | $38,310 | $59,020 | $73,010 |
| Machinists | $44,720 | $61,500 | $71,980 |
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics wages for everyone employed in the occupation in New Hampshire (May 2025; national where the state figure is not published). The program table below shows what this campus's own graduates earned in their first year, whatever job they took.
Trade programs at this campus
| Program | Credential | Grads / yr | Earnings, yr 1 | Earnings, yr 2 | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Precision Metal Working | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 22 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | Associate degree | 9 | not reported | $43,426 | not reported |
| Somatic Bodywork and Related Therapeutic Services | Certificate, 1–2 years | 7 | $28,258 | not reported | not reported |
| Precision Metal Working | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 6 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 6 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
Earnings are median wages and self-employment income reported to the IRS (W-2 and Schedule SE) for graduates who received federal aid and were working and not enrolled, measured in the calendar year after finishing. They are pay only: health insurance, retirement contributions and other benefits are not included.
Graduates per year from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) 2022-23 Completions survey. Earnings and debt are College Scorecard field-of-study medians for graduates of this program at this campus (reported at the 4-digit program level, so closely related programs share a figure); "not reported" means too few graduates were counted to publish a figure.
About this school
Great Bay Community College is a public college in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. It is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education, and its nursing-related offerings are recognized by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing. Federal financial aid, including FAFSA and Pell Grants, can be used here. Among its 5 program families, the campus awards the most credentials in welding (22), surgical technology (9), and massage therapy (7).
Federal data show a completion rate of 33.5%, which is below the New Hampshire state average of 56.1%. Graduates who took out loans carried a median debt of $13,828, and median earnings 10 years after entry were $42,397. About 25.8% of students receive Pell Grants. Annual cost of attendance is not reported for this campus in federal data.
This campus may suit students pursuing shorter, hands-on trade credentials such as welding, surgical technology, or massage therapy rather than longer academic degrees, though specific program lengths and schedules are not detailed here and should be confirmed directly with the school. Career changers considering enrollment should verify current accreditation status and review full outcome data through the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard before applying. Contacting the school directly by phone or through its website is the best way to confirm program details, schedules, and costs not captured in federal reporting.
Questions students ask
What trade and career programs does this campus offer?
Great Bay Community College offers programs across 5 trade families, most notably welding (22 completers), surgical technology (9), and massage therapy (7).
Is this school accredited, and by whom?
Yes, the school is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education, with its nursing programs also recognized by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing.
Can I use federal financial aid (FAFSA, Pell Grants) at this school?
Yes, this school participates in Title IV federal financial aid programs, so FAFSA and Pell Grants can be used.
What share of students finish their program here, and how does that compare to the state?
The completion rate is 33.5%, which is below the New Hampshire state average of 56.1%.
How much debt do graduates of this school typically carry?
Graduates who borrowed carried a median debt of $13,828, per federal data.
What do graduates of this school earn?
Median earnings 10 years after entry were $42,397, per the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
How much does it cost to attend for a year?
Annual cost of attendance is not reported for this campus in federal data; contact the school at (603) 427-7600 or visit its website for current tuition.
Is this a public, non-profit, or for-profit school, and why does that matter?
Great Bay Community College is a public institution, which typically means lower published tuition for state residents compared to for-profit schools.
How long do the programs here take to complete?
Specific program lengths are not reported in federal data; contact the school directly to confirm program durations.
How do I verify this school's accreditation and outcomes myself?
You can verify accreditation through the New England Commission of Higher Education and review federal outcome data at the College Scorecard link: https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?183150.
Is this school a good fit for an adult changing careers?
The listed programs, such as welding, surgical technology, and massage therapy, are trade-focused fields often chosen by career changers, though fit depends on individual goals and program details not specified here.
What license or certification will I need after finishing a program here?
Licensing or certification requirements are not reported in this data; contact the school directly for guidance specific to each program.
How do I contact the school or apply?
You can reach Great Bay Community College at (603) 427-7600 or through its website at https://www.greatbay.edu/.
How does this campus compare with other schools offering the same trade nearby?
Comparative data with other nearby schools is not reported in this data; use the College Scorecard to compare completion rates, debt, and earnings across institutions.
Nearby trade and career schools in New Hampshire
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See all trade and career schools in New Hampshire or search by ZIP code.
Data: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) 2022-23 Completions survey; College Scorecard June 2026; Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs (DAPIP), September 2026. Figures are the U.S. Department of Education's official measures, not Career Training Path's opinion. Tuition, schedules and program availability change — confirm with the school before enrolling.