Career Training Path › Connecticut › Porter & Chester Institute
Porter & Chester Institute
Bridgeport, Connecticut · Private for-profit career college · Training programs available:
Address: 156 Boston Avenue, Bridgeport, CT 06610 · Phone: (860) 529-2519 · School website ↗ · Verify on College Scorecard ↗
No accreditor sanctions in the last 36 months
Porter & Chester Institute is a private for-profit trade school in Bridgeport, Connecticut, offering electrician, LPN/LVN, and medical assistant programs, accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges.
Porter & Chester Institute has a 45.2% completion rate versus a 71.5% state average, with median graduate debt of $12,000 and median earnings of $41,588 ten years after entry, per the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Annual cost of attendance is not reported for this campus in federal data, but Porter & Chester Institute participates in federal Title IV aid, and about 56.6% of students receive Pell Grants.
What these trades pay once you're working
| Occupation | Starting (10th pct) | Median | Experienced (75th) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electricians | $47,680 | $77,540 | $95,070 |
| Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses | $62,610 | $73,690 | $76,830 |
| Medical assistants | $38,480 | $47,430 | $50,210 |
| HVAC and refrigeration mechanics and installers | $45,280 | $76,610 | $86,650 |
| Dental assistants | $38,630 | $56,850 | $59,650 |
| Automotive service technicians and mechanics | $38,430 | $60,220 | $74,500 |
| Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters | $45,670 | $77,280 | $94,440 |
| Welders, cutters, solderers and brazers | $43,590 | $64,880 | $81,590 |
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics wages for everyone employed in the occupation in Connecticut (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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical and Power Transmission Installers | Certificate, 1–2 years | 199 | $33,936 | $35,088 | $14,120 |
| Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants | Certificate, 1–2 years | 128 | $46,433 | $44,711 | $17,690 |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services | Certificate, 1–2 years | 107 | $28,917 | $28,583 | $9,500 |
| Dental Support Services and Allied Professions | Certificate, 1–2 years | 104 | $28,706 | $26,268 | $9,500 |
| Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician (HAC, HACR, HVAC, HVACR) | Certificate, 1–2 years | 104 | $41,210 | $37,088 | $14,120 |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Certificate, 1–2 years | 88 | $31,910 | $30,016 | $13,910 |
| Plumbing and Related Water Supply Services | Certificate, 1–2 years | 41 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Precision Metal Working | Certificate, 1–2 years | 11 | 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
Porter & Chester Institute is a private for-profit trade school in Bridgeport, Connecticut, accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges. It participates in federal Title IV financial aid programs, meaning students can use FAFSA-based aid, including Pell Grants, to pay for enrolled programs. The campus offers eight program families, with the highest-enrollment tracks being electrician schools, LPN/LVN programs, and medical assistant programs.
According to federal data, the campus completion rate is 45.2%, below the Connecticut state average of 71.5% for similar institutions. Graduates who took out loans carried a median debt of $12,000, and median earnings ten years after entry were $41,588. Annual cost of attendance is not reported for this campus in federal data. About 56.6% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating a substantial share of the student body qualifies for need-based federal aid.
This campus enrolls 1,373 undergraduates with 782 trade completers, and its program mix — heavy in electrician, nursing, and medical assisting tracks — suggests a setting oriented toward hands-on, career-focused training rather than traditional degree study, which may suit adults changing careers, though specific program lengths are not stated here. Prospective students should verify current accreditation status directly with the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges and review the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard for the most current completion, debt, and earnings figures before enrolling.
Questions students ask
What trade and career programs does this campus offer?
Porter & Chester Institute offers eight program families, with the largest being electrician schools, LPN/LVN programs, and medical assistant programs.
Is this school accredited, and by whom?
Yes, it is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges, and its accreditation status is listed as accredited.
Can I use federal financial aid (FAFSA, Pell Grants) at this school?
Yes, this campus participates in Title IV federal financial aid programs, so FAFSA-based aid including 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 45.2%, which is below the Connecticut state average of 71.5% for comparable institutions.
How much debt do graduates of this school typically carry?
Graduates carry a median debt of $12,000, according to federal data.
What do graduates of this school earn?
Median earnings ten years after entry are $41,588, per federal data.
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 directly for current tuition figures.
Is this a public, non-profit, or for-profit school, and why does that matter?
Porter & Chester Institute is a private for-profit school, which can affect tuition pricing and the type of institutional aid available compared to public or non-profit schools.
How long do the programs here take to complete?
Program lengths are not reported in the data provided; contact the school at (860) 529-2519 or visit its website for program schedules.
How do I verify this school's accreditation and outcomes myself?
You can confirm accreditation through the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges and review official outcome data on the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard at the provided link.
Is this school a good fit for an adult changing careers?
The program mix of electrician, nursing, and medical assisting tracks suggests hands-on, career-focused training, though specific fit for career changers is not detailed in federal data; contacting the school directly can clarify scheduling and format options.
What license or certification will I need after finishing a program here?
Licensing requirements are not reported in this data; contact the school or check state licensing boards for programs like LPN or electrician training.
How do I contact the school or apply?
You can reach Porter & Chester Institute at (860) 529-2519 or through its website at https://www.porterchester.edu/.
How does this campus compare with other schools offering the same trade nearby?
Direct comparisons with nearby schools are not available in this data; the College Scorecard link provided can be used to compare completion, debt, and earnings figures across schools.
Other trade and career schools in Bridgeport, CT
- New England Tractor Trailer Training School of CT-BridgeportBridgeport, CT · 74% completion
- University of BridgeportBridgeport, CT · university
- Branford Academy of Hair & Cosmetology-BridgeportBridgeport, CT · 100% completion
- New England Tractor-Trailer Training School of Conn., Inc-BridgeportBridgeport, CT
- American Institute of Healthcare & TechnologyStratford, CT · 100% completion
- Stratford School for Aviation Maintenance TechniciansStratford, CT · community college
- Connecticut State Community CollegeHartford, CT · 24% completion
- Lincoln Technical Institute-East WindsorEast Windsor, CT · 62% completion
See all trade and career schools in Connecticut 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.