What is PCI Known For?
Founded in 1946, Porter and Chester Institute is a renowned for-profit trade school committed to vocational education. The institute is recognized for its hands-on career training, delivering a deep and solid understanding of various fields of interest. Its teaching methodology is focused on enhancing immediate on-the-job application of learned skills, aligning learning with practical professional utility.
The school houses eight campus locations throughout Connecticut and Massachusetts, extending various program offerings. Prospective students can choose from:
- Automotive,
- HVAC & Building Services
- Computer Tech
- Cosmetology
- Healthcare
- And Many More
Having graduated more than 27,000 students since its inception, the institute champions flexible learning methods to suit varying needs, offering hybrid, online, or on-campus formats.
Is Porter and Chester Institute (PCI) Legit?
Yes, Porter and Chester Institute (PCI) is legitimate. The school has received accreditation from the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC). This signifies that the quality of education offered at PCI meets the standards set by this accrediting body.
Additionally, PCI has been given the green light to train sponsored students by multiple government agencies, including:
- The Bureau of Rehabilitation Services in Connecticut
- The Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission
- The Workers’ Rehabilitation Services in Connecticut
How Much is Tuition?
The tuition cost at Porter and Chester Institute differs depending on the course and terms taken. For example, the Computer-aided Drafting and Design program is the least expensive, priced at $15,640. On the other hand, the Practical Nursing program is the most expensive, with a tuition fee of $30,265. The tuition fees for the rest of the programs are between these two amounts.
However, keep in mind that these figures only represent the tuition cost. There may be additional fees, including registration, materials, and other miscellaneous costs, that could add to the overall expense.
Programs & Courses
Automotive Technology
- Automotive Technician
Computers
- Computer-Aided Drafting & Design
- Networking
HVAC & Building Services
- Electrical
- Plumbing
- HVAC
- Welding
Cosmetology
- Cosmetology
Healthcare
- Dental Assisting
- Medical Assisting
- Medical Billing and Coding
- Nursing
Campus Locations
Branford, CT 221 West Main St., Branford, CT 06405
Enfield, CT 132 Weymouth Rd., Enfield, CT 06082 NY 11763
New London, CT 470 Bank St., New London, CT 06320
Rocky Hill, CT 30 Waterchase Dr., Rocky Hill, CT 06067
Stratford, CT 670 Lordship Blvd., Stratford, CT 06615
Waterbury, CT 881 Wolcott St., Waterbury, CT 06705
Brockton, MA 609 Belmont Street Brockton, MA 02301
Chicopee, MA 134 Dulong Cir., Chicopee, MA 01022
Worcester, MA 220 Brooks St., Worcester, MA 01606
Financial Aid Services
Specialists can assist applicants to find the financial aid that is available to fund their education. Federal, state, and private loans or grants make career training more affordable. The financial office at PCI provides support to explore the options for which students may qualify.
Scholarships exist for graduating high school seniors and eligible older adults. Porter and Chester Institute students may apply for scholarships based on their vocation.
Student Services
The staff at Porter and Chester Institute provides the services needed to complete training and start on a new career. PCI academic experts assist in determining the right path to take. The school offers an online portal for scheduling classes, submitting payments, requesting a transcript, and more.
Career Services
Career services advisors help students explore and achieve their professional goals. Attendees learn how to prepare a resume and cover letter. Job interview preparation tips include the kinds of questions asked during the hiring process. The Porter and Chester Institute website also has career resources and helpful blog posts from graduates.
Veteran and Military Services
Counselors help current and former members of the military and their dependents find the resources available to them. Eligible veterans receive coursework credit for qualified military programs. Online classes and convenient scheduling make it easy for active duty service members to attend PCI.
Reviews
Based on reviews in Google, Porter and Chester Institute (Hamden, CT) presents a deeply divided experience: while its trade programs (Electrical, HVAC) often receive praise for practical training and post-graduation success, the institution, particularly the LPN program, is severely criticized for administrative chaos, high cost, and unsupportive staff.
Overall Score: 3.3/5 Stars
Common Praises
Strong Trade Programs and Facility: Reviews for trade programs like Electrical and HVAC are generally positive, highlighting “awesome teachers,” “full knowledge,” and the use of a “beautiful and state of the art” new facility. Many trade graduates successfully found work in their field.
Dedicated Trade Instructors: Several reviewers praised specific instructors and the general quality of the teaching staff for being professional and easy to follow, noting they taught everything they knew in a “fun and entertaining way.”
Effective Career Services (Individual Cases): The career services department received individual praise for being “really helpful” in finding jobs, ensuring resumes were great, and being “reliable and driven.”
Fair School Director: The school director was singled out for being a “very fair person” who offered leniency to students who were doing what they were supposed to.
Common Criticisms
The LPN Program is a “Scam”: The Practical Nursing (LPN) program receives the most intense, severe, and recent criticism. Reviewers stated the program is “extremely difficult” with a very low completion rate (only about 1/3 finish), claiming the school “sells” a dream it doesn’t deliver and advising others to “Do not enroll. Save your money.”
Unprofessional and Hostile Nursing Administration: A specific director/administrator in the LPN program, identified by name in multiple reviews, is repeatedly called the “worst person” a reviewer had ever dealt with, accused of “lies,” being “unprofessional,” and exhibiting rudeness.
Financial and Administrative Chaos: The school is frequently labeled a “scam” and “very unorganized.” Difficulty getting financial aid/loan balances corrected, with one graduate waiting months for an overdue financial aid check.
Lack of Student Support and Communication: A core criticism is the near-impossibility of getting a hold of administration to express concerns. Students complained of being treated “like babies” and feeling a lack of support, especially following the closure of a related school, which led students to feel “pressured” and uncared for.
Outdated Tech and Lack of Resources: One review noted the education used “out dated tech,” and another described the program as a “negative school” with a lack of support.
Momentum
The momentum is clearly negative and highly concentrated around the LPN program. While the trade programs generated positive reviews between 4-5 years ago, the most recent and detailed reviews (from 2 to 9 months ago) are overwhelmingly from LPN students, painting a picture of total administrative failure and program chaos under a specific set of administrators. The overall rating of 3.3 reflects the historical success of the trade programs, but the current operational trend, defined by high student debt, poor communication, and program unsuitability, is severely concerning.