Career Training Path › Connecticut › Porter & Chester Institute of Hamden
Porter & Chester Institute of Hamden
Hamden, Connecticut · Private for-profit career college · Training programs available:
Address: 1245 Dixwell Avenue, Hamden, CT 06514 · Phone: (475) 234-6600 · School website ↗ · Verify on College Scorecard ↗
No accreditor sanctions in the last 36 months
Porter & Chester Institute of Hamden is a private for-profit trade school in Hamden, Connecticut, offering electrician, HVAC, and plumbing programs, accredited by ACCSC.
Per the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, this campus has a 32.4% completion rate, below the Connecticut state average of 71.5%; median graduate debt is $12,350 and median earnings 10 years after entry are $42,914.
Annual cost of attendance is not reported for this campus in federal data; federal financial aid including FAFSA and Pell Grants can be used here, and 70.3% 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 |
| HVAC and refrigeration mechanics and installers | $45,280 | $76,610 | $86,650 |
| Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters | $45,670 | $77,280 | $94,440 |
| Automotive service technicians and mechanics | $38,430 | $60,220 | $74,500 |
| Medical assistants | $38,480 | $47,430 | $50,210 |
| Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses | $62,610 | $73,690 | $76,830 |
| Dental assistants | $38,630 | $56,850 | $59,650 |
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 | 42 | $30,515 | $29,685 | $13,963 |
| Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician (HAC, HACR, HVAC, HVACR) | Certificate, 1–2 years | 36 | $35,994 | $33,281 | $14,120 |
| Plumbing and Related Water Supply Services | Certificate, 1–2 years | 17 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Certificate, 1–2 years | 17 | $27,949 | $30,554 | $13,910 |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services | Certificate, 1–2 years | 16 | $30,459 | $24,863 | $9,500 |
| Dental Support Services and Allied Professions | Certificate, 1–2 years | 16 | $28,863 | $29,413 | $9,500 |
| Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants | Certificate, 1–2 years | 16 | not reported | $41,565 | $17,690 |
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 of Hamden is a private for-profit trade and career school located in Hamden, Connecticut. It is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges, and federal financial aid, including FAFSA and Pell Grants, can be used at this campus. The school awards credentials across seven program families, with the most common completions in electrician schools (42), HVAC schools (36), and plumbing schools (17).
According to federal data, the completion rate at this campus is 32.4%, which is below the Connecticut state average of 71.5%. Graduates carry a median debt of $12,350, and median earnings ten years after entry are reported at $42,914. Annual cost of attendance is not reported for this campus in federal data. About 70.3% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating a large share of the student body qualifies for need-based federal aid.
This campus may suit students seeking hands-on training in skilled trades such as electrical work, HVAC, and plumbing, though specific program lengths are not detailed in the data provided, so applicants should confirm scheduling and format directly with the school. Given the lower completion rate relative to the state average, prospective students, including adult career-changers, should ask the school directly about support services and typical time to completion. To verify accreditation status and review the latest federal outcome data, prospective students can consult the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard or contact the school directly.
Questions students ask
What trade and career programs does this campus offer?
Porter & Chester Institute of Hamden offers seven program families, with the most completions in electrician schools (42), HVAC schools (36), and plumbing schools (17).
Is this school accredited, and by whom?
Yes, the school is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges.
Can I use federal financial aid (FAFSA, Pell Grants) at this school?
Yes, this campus participates in Title IV federal student 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 32.4%, which is below the Connecticut state average of 71.5%, according to federal data.
How much debt do graduates of this school typically carry?
Median debt for graduates of this campus is $12,350, per federal data.
What do graduates of this school earn?
Median earnings 10 years after entry are reported at $42,914.
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 for current tuition information.
Is this a public, non-profit, or for-profit school, and why does that matter?
This is a private for-profit school, which can affect tuition rates and financial aid eligibility compared to public or non-profit institutions.
How long do the programs here take to complete?
Program length is not reported for this campus in federal data; contact the school directly to confirm program duration.
How do I verify this school's accreditation and outcomes myself?
You can verify accreditation and review federal outcome data through the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard at https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?129002.
Is this school a good fit for an adult changing careers?
The data does not specify program lengths or schedules, so fit for adult career-changers is not reported; contact the school at (475) 234-6600 to discuss options.
What license or certification will I need after finishing a program here?
Licensing and certification requirements are not reported for this campus in federal data; contact the school directly for details on trade-specific credentials.
How do I contact the school or apply?
You can contact Porter & Chester Institute of Hamden at (475) 234-6600 or visit https://www.porterchester.edu/ to apply.
How does this campus compare with other schools offering the same trade nearby?
Comparative data with nearby schools is not reported in federal data; consult the College Scorecard at https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?129002 for comparisons.
Nearby trade and career schools in Connecticut
- University of New HavenWest Haven, CT · university
- Winkle Bus Company of West Haven IncWest Haven, CT
- Porter & Chester InstituteBridgeport, CT · 45% completion
- Connecticut State Community CollegeHartford, CT · 24% completion
- Lincoln Technical Institute-East WindsorEast Windsor, CT · 62% completion
- Lincoln Technical Institute-SheltonShelton, CT · 65% completion
- Lincoln Technical Institute-New BritainNew Britain, CT · 65% completion
- American Institute-West HartfordWest Hartford, CT · 56% 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.