Connecticut Trade Schools & Colleges

By Publisher
| Last Updated April 30, 2024

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Connecticut Schools

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Lincoln Tech

• New Britain
• Shelton

• Electrical/Electronics
• Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC)
• Medical Assistant
• Practical Nursing

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American Institute

• West Hartford

• Dental Assisting
• Diagnostic Medical Sonography
• Massage Therapy
• Medical Assisting
• Medical Coding and Billing

Porter and Chester Institute

• Bridgeport
• Enfield
• Hamden
• New London
• Waterbury

• Automotive Technology
• Computer and Network Technology
• Computer-Aided Drafting & Design (CADD)
• Dental Assisting
• Electrical Technology
• HVACR (Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration)
• Low Voltage Technology
• Medical Assisting
• Plumbing
• Practical Nursing
• Welding

Costs

Your educational costs can be affected by many different variables. According to National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) data from 2020-2021, these are the average tuition and fees at four-year institutions in Connecticut:

• Public schools: $14,487 (in-state); $36,881 (out-of-state)
• Private schools: $43,013

Tuition and fees may be lower at two-year schools.

Trade School Accreditation

Being accredited by an agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education indicates that a school meets an established set of quality standards. It also means that the school's students can qualify to receive financial aid from the federal government. Community colleges and trade schools in Connecticut can be accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE) or by a national organization like the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC). Each institution's website will have details about its accreditation status.

The Office of Higher Education provides authorization for private, non-degree-granting vocational schools to operate in Connecticut. Once a school receives authorization, it can choose to apply to an independent agency for accreditation.

Accreditation can also apply at the program level. For instance, medical assisting, surgical technology, or medical laboratory technology programs may be accredited by the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES). This ensures that graduates of those programs are eligible for professional licensing exams.

Admissions Requirements for Connecticut Trade Schools

Typically, you need to have a high school diploma or GED. To take the GED test in Connecticut, you must be a state resident who is at least 17 years old and has been out of school for at least six months.

Vocational schools may also require you to complete a personal interview and pass a placement exam that assesses your writing, reading, and math skills. Some schools require proof of immunization.

Financial Aid for Connecticut Students

The Office of Higher Education provides this chart that illustrates the major financial aid options for Connecticut students, including the state-based Roberta B. Willis scholarship and grant programs. The Connecticut Higher Education Supplemental Loan Authority (CHESLA) also has information on loans and scholarships that can help students cover their educational costs.

Plus, the Pledge to Advance Connecticut (PACT) program, starting with Fall 2023 enrollments, allows eligible state residents who attend community college to have their tuition and fees covered for up to three years. PACT funding kicks in after students have accepted all federal and state grants for which they are eligible.

The process of applying for financial assistance begins with filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Governments and schools use information from the FAFSA to determine what grants, scholarships, and loans you qualify to receive. You must fill out the FAFSA each year to receive aid.

FAQs About Being a Student in Connecticut

What types of programs are available at Connecticut trade schools?

In addition to skilled trades like automotive, plumbing and HVAC technology, vocational programs are available in areas like:

• Cosmetology
• Culinary arts
• Health care
• Information technology
• Office administration

Online learning is often an option. Some hands-on programs like collision repair and dental assisting are available in a hybrid format, where some classes are offered online, and some training is provided in person.

How popular are certificate and associate degree programs among Connecticut students?

In 2017-2018, 19.2 percent of all credentials awarded by Connecticut colleges and universities were undergraduate certificates or associate degrees, according to a report from the Office of Higher Education. The total numbers broke down this way:

• Certificate, less than one year: 1,906
• Certificate, one to two years: 371
• Associate degree: 6,647

What are the transportation options?

Many people rely on private vehicles, so it's worth noting that the average commute time in the state is a touch lower than the overall U.S. average.

Connecticut also has a well-developed network of bus routes and rail lines that can help you get around. CTrides offers a Transit Finder that allows you to find options in your city or town. Plus, students at colleges and universities that participate in the U-Pass CT program qualify for free rides on buses and trains throughout the state, with the cost built into their school fees.