Quick Facts

• Location: Newport, Rhode Island
• Address: 449 Thames St, Newport, RI 02840
• School Type: Private Nonprofit Trade & Technology School
• Programs Offered: Boatbuilding & Restoration, Composites Technology, Digital Modeling & Fabrication, Marine Systems and Yacht Design
• Training Style: Intensive hands-on shop training, projects, capstones and industry externships
• Tuition Range: $23,100–$26,775+ for many 2026 programs; Boatbuilding is $24,675 per year for two years, plus fees and materials
• Program Length: 6–20 months depending on program
• Online Programs Available: No full online core career programs prominently advertised
• Hybrid Learning: No — core training is primarily campus-based and hands-on
• Financial Aid: FAFSA, federal grants and loans, IYRS scholarships, outside scholarships and veterans benefits for qualifying students
• Class Options: Full-time career programs
• Accreditation: ACCSC; certified by Rhode Island higher-education authorities
• Average Rating: ⭐ 4.6 (14 Reviews)
• Website: IYRS School of Technology & Trades

Overview

IYRS School of Technology & Trades is one of Rhode Island’s most specialized trade schools. Located on the Newport waterfront, it focuses on marine trades, advanced composites, digital fabrication and traditional boatbuilding rather than conventional HVAC, electrical or automotive programs.

Its current accredited career offerings include Boatbuilding & Restoration, Composites Technology, Digital Modeling & Fabrication and Marine Systems. The school’s admissions page separately identifies Yacht Design as a non-accredited offering, so students should distinguish that program from IYRS’s accredited certificate pathways.

IYRS uses small classes, intensive shop instruction and industry externships. The school specifically emphasizes career changers and says previous trade experience is not required.

Programs Offered

• Boatbuilding & Restoration — 20 months
• Composites Technology — 9 months
• Digital Modeling & Fabrication — 9 months
• Marine Systems — 6 months
• Yacht Design — 9 months

Boatbuilding & Restoration

This 20-month program teaches traditional and modern boatbuilding and restoration techniques. It is the longest IYRS pathway and is structured across two academic years.

For 2026, tuition is $24,675 per year, or $49,350 in tuition across both years before materials and other expenses. Published additional costs include a $1,980 shop/materials fee plus estimated tools, books, laptop and transportation expenses.

Composites Technology

The 9-month Composites Technology program teaches advanced composite fabrication, including mold making and vacuum infusion.

Students complete project-based work, a personal capstone and an approximately month-long industry externship. The program prepares students for Certified Composites Technician certification.

For 2026, published tuition is $26,775, plus a $3,360 shop/materials fee and a $720 ACMA certification-exam fee.

Digital Modeling & Fabrication

This 9-month program combines:

• CAD and 3D modeling
• CNC programming
• 3D printing
• CNC routers and milling equipment
• Product design
• Capstone project work
• Industry externship

Published 2026 tuition is $26,775, plus a $3,585 shop/materials fee and estimated technology/equipment expenses.

Marine Systems

Marine Systems is IYRS’s fastest main career program at six months.

For the September 2026 cohort, published tuition is $24,200, plus:

• $2,085 shop/materials fee
• $190 ABYC membership
• $1,540 for ABYC/NMEA certification exams
• Estimated laptop, tools, books and transportation expenses

This can be a particularly strong pathway for students interested in marine electrical, mechanical and onboard systems careers.

Tuition & Financial Aid

Current 2026 tuition ranges include:

• Boatbuilding & Restoration — $24,675 per year
• Composites Technology — $26,775
• Digital Modeling & Fabrication — $26,775
• Marine Systems — $23,100 for March 2026 / $24,200 for September 2026
• Yacht Design — $24,675

Direct fees, tools, books, laptops, certification exams and transportation can add several thousand dollars, depending on program.

IYRS participates in federal financial aid. U.S. applicants seeking aid can submit the FAFSA using school code 037323. Federal grants and loans, institutional scholarships and external scholarships are available to qualifying students.

IYRS also reports that a substantial share of its students receive institutional scholarships or grants.

Why Students Choose This School

• Rare marine-trades specialization
• Intensive hands-on shop training
• Boatbuilding and restoration
• Advanced composites
• CNC and digital fabrication
• Marine electrical and systems training
• Industry certification opportunities
• Externships
• Federal financial aid
• ACCSC accreditation

Career Opportunities

Graduates may pursue careers such as:

• Marine Systems Technician
• Boatbuilder
• Yacht Restoration Technician
• Composites Technician
• Composite Fabricator
• CNC Technician
• CAD/Fabrication Technician
• Digital Manufacturing Technician
• Marine Electrical Technician
• Product Fabrication Technician

IYRS programs are also relevant beyond recreational boating because composites, CNC manufacturing and digital fabrication skills transfer into aerospace, defense, manufacturing and advanced-material industries.

Student Reviews

Based on your supplied listing data:

⭐ Average Rating: 4.6 (14 Reviews)

The score is strong, but the number of reviews is small, so prospective students should rely heavily on program fit, total cost, accreditation, externship opportunities and employment outcomes.

Enrollment Tips

• Apply early because programs are intentionally small and admissions are rolling
• The priority deadline for fall programs is July 15, with a general fall application deadline of August 1
• Complete FAFSA and the IYRS scholarship application early because funding is awarded on a first-come basis
• Budget for tools, laptops, certification exams and shop fees in addition to tuition
• Marine Systems students should compare spring and fall cohorts
• Verify accreditation carefully if considering Yacht Design, since IYRS currently identifies that application pathway as non-accredited

Bottom Line

IYRS is one of the most distinctive trade schools in New England. Students interested in boatbuilding, marine systems, composites, CNC or digital fabrication can receive intensive, career-oriented training that is difficult to find at a conventional community college. Tuition is substantial, but federal aid, scholarships, industry certifications and externships make IYRS worth serious consideration for students committed to marine or advanced-manufacturing careers.