What Is It Known For?
Great Lakes Institute of Technology, founded in 1965, is a private for-profit institution located in Erie, PA. It is known for offering short-term career training options in various healthcare and healthcare-related fields. The school is not part of a larger network of state community colleges. Instead, since March 2018, it has been wholly owned by Renovus Capital Partners.
About 350 students enroll each year, so it’s pretty tight-knit. If you’re looking to quickly train for a healthcare job, Great Lakes might be worth checking out.
Degrees & Certifications
Great Lakes Institute of Technology specializes in short-term training programs, focusing mainly on allied health fields. They offer both associate degrees and diploma programs, giving students flexible options to kickstart their careers.
If you’re interested in healthcare, you’ve got quite a few choices here:
- Dental Assistant Program
- Diagnostic Medical Sonographer
- Massage Therapist Progam
- Medical Assistant Program
- Surgical Technologist Program
- Veterinary Assistant Program
Class Schedules
Great Lakes Institute of Technology has a pretty flexible setup. The school runs classes during the day and evening, and even on Saturdays if that’s better for you. You can take courses online, in person, or mix it up with both. Many programs throw in externships, so you get some real-world experience. And when you’re done? They’ll help you find a job through their job placement program.
Is It Legit?
Yes. Great Lakes Institute of Technology is a legitimate institution. The school is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges. Some of the school’s programs also have programmatic accreditation from institutions like:
Acceptance Rate
Great Lakes Institute of Technology has an acceptance rate of 100%.
How Much Does Tuition Cost?
The school’s latest catalog shows tuition can range anywhere from $10,800 to $45,486, depending on what you’re studying. If you want to get a better idea of what you might pay, check out their net price calculator on the website.
It’ll give you a more detailed breakdown of the total cost, factoring in things like financial aid and living expenses.
Programs & Courses
Healthcare
- Dental Assistant
- Diagnostic Medical Sonographer
- Massage Therapist
- Medical Assistant
- Surgical Technologist
- Veterinary Assistant
Campus Locations
Erie 5100 Peach Street Erie, PA 16509
Reviews
Based on local Google reviews, Great Lakes Institute of Technology has a mixed reputation, with strong praise for its hands-on career-focused approach but also significant complaints regarding administrative issues and staff conduct.
Overall Score: 3.8/5 Stars
Common Praises
Effective Career Focus: Many students and alumni praise the school for its practical, hands-on programs that lead directly to employment. Reviewers appreciate that there are no “filler” general education classes, allowing them to get a job faster than at a traditional college.
Knowledgeable Instructors: Positive reviews consistently highlight instructors as being very experienced, helpful, and dedicated to student success. Specific examples are given of teachers staying late to provide extra tutoring and giving students hands-on experience in their fields.
Positive Student and Client Experiences: The student-run massage clinic receives frequent praise from clients who find the student massage therapists to be professional, well-trained, and respectful.
Supportive Staff: Some reviewers describe the staff as “kind,” “helpful,” and willing to go out of their way to assist students.
Common Criticisms
Unprofessional and Rude Staff: Several negative reviews, some recent, describe instructors and staff as being “unprofessional,” “rude,” and unprepared. One reviewer claims a program manager “is destroying the reputation” of the school through unprofessional behavior.
Financial and Value Concerns: A reviewer claims to have spent $15,000 without receiving a degree or certification, while noting that a similar program at a different school costs only around $3,000.
Allegations of Racism: One serious review from a couple of years ago alleges that a massage manager/teacher is “racist” and that this is a known issue among students.
Lack of Organization: A reviewer claims the school is “violently unorganized and understaffed” and that management is poor.
Momentum
The reviews show a distinct split between the positive experiences with classroom instruction and hands-on training, and serious negative experiences related to administration and staff conduct. While the positive feedback is consistent, recent reviews continue to bring up severe complaints about specific staff members, unprofessionalism, and financial issues, indicating that these problems are persistent.