Bridgeport, ConnecticutPrivate for-Profit, Under 2-Year

Porter &Amp; Chester Institute Welding Program

A diploma, $14,349 a year in tuition and fees, with training in stick (SMAW), MIG (GMAW), TIG (GTAW).

What Does Porter &Amp; Chester Institute Offer for Welding Students?

Porter & Chester Institute in Bridgeport, Connecticut offers a diploma in welding. Tuition and fees for 2024–25 were $14,349 for a full-time year (all students). The school awarded 52 welding credentials in 2024–25. Best for a fast start in welding with a certificate.

Welding Programs at Porter &Amp; Chester Institute

AwardTypeLength
Welding DiplomaDiploma

As listed on Porter & Chester Institute's welding program page, reviewed September 25, 2026.

Porter &Amp; Chester Institute Welding Tuition: $14,349 a Year

Tuition and fees
$14,349
all students, 2024–25
Books and supplies
$2,040
2024–25 estimate
Welding certificates awarded
52
2024–25
Graduation rate
45%
school-wide, Fall 2021 cohort
Students enrolled
1,373
school-wide, Fall 2024

Tuition and fees are for a full-time year. Awards count welding credentials conferred. Graduation rate and enrollment cover the whole school. Source: NCES College Navigator.

What you'll Learn in Porter &Amp; Chester Institute's Welding Program

A 10-month on-campus diploma with maritime industry ties: Bridgeport Boatworks and Hornblower Marine partner with the program and fund scholarships for Bridgeport residents.

  • Stick (SMAW)
  • MIG (GMAW)
  • TIG (GTAW)
  • Flux-cored (FCAW)
  • Oxy-fuel and plasma cuttingoxy-acetylene cutting

When Porter &Amp; Chester Institute Welding Classes Meet

Schedule. Program length 10 months; 100% on campus class and shop; next start date Oct 19th 2026.

2 Campuses Teach Welding at Porter &Amp; Chester Institute

  • Porter and Chester Institute Bridgeport156 Boston Ave, Bridgeport, CT 06610
  • Porter and Chester Institute New London

Check start dates, admission steps and the current course list on Porter & Chester Institute's own site.

Visit porterchester.edu

What Welders Earn Around Bridgeport

Welders in the Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury, CT metro area earn a median $63,440 a year. Across Connecticut, the median welder wage is $64,880 a year, from $43,590 at the 10th percentile to $87,980 at the 90th, with 1,790 welders employed. The national median is $53,750. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025.

5 More Welding Schools Within 54 Miles of Bridgeport

Straight-line distance between campuses. All welding schools in Connecticut

Porter &Amp; Chester Institute Welding FAQ

Does Porter &Amp; Chester Institute Have a Welding Program?

Yes. Porter & Chester Institute offers a diploma in welding at Porter and Chester Institute Bridgeport, Porter and Chester Institute New London. Training covers stick (SMAW), MIG (GMAW), TIG (GTAW), flux-cored (FCAW), oxy-fuel and plasma cutting.

How Much Does Welding School Cost at Porter &Amp; Chester Institute?

Porter & Chester Institute's 2024–25 tuition and fees were $14,349 for a full-time year (all students), with books and supplies estimated at $2,040. Welding students also pay for tools, gear and lab fees.

Does Porter &Amp; Chester Institute Offer Night or Weekend Welding Classes?

Program length 10 months; 100% on campus class and shop; next start date Oct 19th 2026.

How Much Do Welders Make in Connecticut?

The median welder wage in Connecticut is $64,880 a year, and the middle half earn between $49,240 and $81,590 (BLS, May 2025).

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Sources

  1. porterchester.edu: Welding program page, reviewed September 25, 2026
  2. NCES College Navigator, IPEDS unit 130174
  3. BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025