Electrical/Electronics Maintenance and Repair Technology at Porter & Chester Institute of Hamden

Porter & Chester's electronics maintenance program delivers solid earnings relative to national peers but lands squarely in the middle of Connecticut's limited field. At $37,816 in first-year earnings, graduates earn 10% above the national median—good news—but trail the state median by about $1,500, ranking them 40th percentile among Connecticut's four programs. The higher debt load ($14,120 versus $8,709 nationally) narrows what would otherwise be a clear advantage, though the 0.37 debt ratio remains manageable for a technical certificate.

The earnings trajectory tells an encouraging story: graduates see steady growth to $40,589 by year four, nearly matching the top program in the state. For families weighing a technical career path, this represents stable, growing wages in a field with clear demand. The program serves a predominantly working-class student body (59% receive Pell grants), and those graduates appear to find consistent employment in their field.

The practical takeaway: this certificate delivers reliable entry into skilled trades work, with earnings that outpace most national competitors but don't lead Connecticut's small cohort of programs. If your child is committed to electronics maintenance work and Porter & Chester offers convenient access or better hands-on training than alternatives, the modest debt burden won't derail their financial future. Just know they're paying slightly more for outcomes that are solid but not exceptional within the state.