Quick Facts

• Location: Manchester, New Hampshire
• Address: 1066 Front St, Manchester, NH 03102
• School Type: Public Community & Technical College
• Programs Offered: Automotive, Electrical Technology, Electrical Lineworker, HVAC, Welding, Automated Manufacturing, Advanced Manufacturing, Powersports, Nursing, IT & More
• Training Style: College instruction plus extensive hands-on labs, co-ops, apprenticeships and employer partnerships
• Tuition Range: $238 per credit for NH residents, $357 for New England regional students and $523 for out-of-state students, plus program/lab fees
• Program Length: Certificates often 1 year or less; associate degrees commonly about 2 years
• Online Programs Available: Yes — selected academic and technical-theory courses
• Hybrid Learning: Program-dependent; hands-on trades remain primarily campus-based
• Financial Aid: FAFSA, Pell Grants, loans, work-study and other assistance for qualifying students/programs
• Class Options: Full-time, part-time, day, evening and selected online courses
• Accreditation: New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE)
• Average Rating: ⭐ 4.0 (67 Reviews)
• Website: Manchester Community College

Overview

Manchester Community College is one of New Hampshire’s strongest public options for traditional and advanced trades. Its current catalog includes programs in Automotive Technology, Electrical Technology, Electrical Lineworker, HVAC, Welding, Automated Manufacturing and Advanced Manufacturing, along with healthcare, IT, business and other career areas.

The college is particularly valuable for students who want more than a short private trade-school certificate. Many MCC programs combine academic credit, laboratory instruction, employer partnerships and paid or supervised work experience. Students can pursue short certificates or continue into associate-degree pathways.

Manchester Community College is institutionally accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE).

Programs Offered

Trade-oriented programs include:

• Automotive Technology AAS
• Automotive Technology Certificate
• Automotive Technology Professional Certificate
• Powersports Certificate
• Electrical Technology Degree & Certificate
• Electrical Lineworker Certificate
• HVAC AAS
• HVAC Certificate
• Advanced HVAC Certificate
• Air Conditioning/Refrigeration Certificate
• Heating Services Certificate
• Automated Manufacturing Technology
• Automated Manufacturing Certificate
• Welding
• Advanced Manufacturing pathways

Automotive Technology

MCC’s Automotive Technology program is one of the school’s strongest career offerings.

The AAS program includes areas of emphasis such as:

• Ford ASSET / Maintenance & Light Repair
• Global Manufacturers
• Independent Shops
• Mopar Career Automotive Program

Students receive substantial hands-on training and the associate program includes required paid co-op work experience. One co-op course alone requires at least 320 hours at an approved site.

MCC also works with brands and dealer networks including Audi, Mercedes-Benz, Nissan, Subaru, Ford, Chrysler/Dodge/Jeep/Ram and others.

For students wanting a shorter route, the Automotive Technology Certificate is 19 credits and covers maintenance/light repair, electrical systems, steering/suspension and braking.

Electrical Technology

Electrical students can pursue multiple pathways:

• Electrical Technology Certificate
• Electrical Technology associate degree
• State Licensure pathway
• Substation pathway
• Technician pathway
• Electrical Lineworker certificate

The State Licensure degree and certificate pathways fulfill the required educational hours for New Hampshire’s electrical apprenticeship program leading toward licensure. Students must remain properly registered as electrical apprentices to earn applicable hands-on hours.

Electrical Lineworker

MCC’s lineworker program is particularly distinctive.

The 35-credit Electrical Lineworker Certificate was created in partnership with Eversource and IBEW Locals 104 and 1837. It includes electrical fundamentals, climbing and linework training, commercial-driver training and an IBEW-related co-op.

The required Lineworker Co-op involves at least 200 hours of practical work experience at an approved site.

HVAC & Welding

MCC currently offers several heating and cooling pathways:

• HVAC AAS
• HVAC Certificate
• Advanced HVAC Certificate
• Air Conditioning/Refrigeration Certificate
• Heating Services Certificate

Welding training is also part of the college’s skilled-trades lineup and is offered through both academic programming and workforce development. The Workforce Development Center additionally provides noncredit welding, manufacturing, carpentry and CDL training.

Tuition & Financial Aid

Current tuition is:

• NH residents: $238 per credit
• New England regional students: $357 per credit
• Out-of-state students: $523 per credit

Students also pay a $25 comprehensive fee per credit and laboratory/program-specific charges.

Trade-specific additional costs can include:

• Automotive materials — up to $200 per selected course
• Automotive tools/supplies — estimated $2,500–$4,000
• Electrical materials — $100 for selected courses
• HVAC materials — $100–$375 for selected courses
• HVAC tools — estimated $1,800
• Welding materials — up to $315 for selected courses
• Welding tools/supplies — estimated $300

Financial aid includes Pell Grants, federal loans, work-study and other eligible assistance. Students must complete FAFSA and enroll in an eligible degree or certificate. MCC’s Title IV code is 002582.

Why Students Choose This School

• Strong automotive employer partnerships
• Paid automotive co-ops
• Electrical license pathway
• Eversource/IBEW lineworker program
• HVAC and welding options
• Advanced manufacturing
• Associate degrees plus shorter certificates
• NECHE accreditation
• Federal financial aid
• Public community-college tuition

Career Opportunities

Graduates may pursue positions such as:

• Automotive Technician
• Dealership Technician
• Electrician Apprentice
• Electrical Technician
• Utility Lineworker
• Substation Technician
• HVAC Technician
• Refrigeration Technician
• Welder/Fabricator
• Automated Manufacturing Technician
• Mechatronics or Robotics Technician

Licensing still requires completion of all New Hampshire requirements where applicable.

Student Reviews

Based on your supplied listing data:

⭐ Average Rating: 4.0 (67 Reviews)

The rating is solid but not exceptional, so prospective students should look closely at the specific department they are considering.

Enrollment Tips

• Decide whether you need a certificate or full associate degree
• Automotive applicants should attend the required information session and compare manufacturer pathways
• Budget for tools separately from tuition
• Electrical students targeting licensure should choose the correct licensure pathway, not a generic electrical course
• Lineworker applicants should expect a selective admissions process
• Complete FAFSA early and verify that your exact certificate is aid-eligible

Bottom Line

Manchester Community College is one of the most comprehensive trade-training choices in New Hampshire. Automotive students get manufacturer partnerships and paid co-op experience; electrical students can follow a state-licensure or utility-lineworker route; and HVAC, welding and advanced-manufacturing students can choose between certificates and college degrees. For someone who wants hands-on trade education with the backing of a public, NECHE-accredited college, MCC deserves serious consideration.