At $27,508/yr net price, Fortis College-Columbia graduates earn $36,368/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $2,368/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $27,508 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $110,032 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $36,368/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$2,368/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 46.5 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 36.3% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $12,547 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $26,947/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $28,072/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $28,570/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $34,276/yr |
| $110,001+ | $34,276/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Associate | $53,671 | $29,028 |
| Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician (HAC, HACR, HVAC, HVACR). | Certificate | $30,047 | $13,000 |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services. | Certificate | $25,079 | $9,500 |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services. | Certificate | $24,667 | $11,701 |
| Dental Support Services and Allied Professions. | Certificate | $24,109 | $13,000 |
The Risk Factor
36.3% of students at Fortis College-Columbia graduate within 6 years. Fewer than half of students complete their degree. If you don't graduate, the financial investment may not pay off.
Analysis
Fortis College-Columbia charges you nearly as much per year as its graduates earn after a decade of work, and that math is the core problem. Median earnings ten years out land close to what a full-time worker makes at $17.50 an hour, while a single year of attendance costs more than $27,000. Only about a third of students finish, so many of you will pay without earning the credential.
Nursing is the one program that justifies the price. At roughly $54,000, its graduates out-earn every other program here by more than $20,000, and that associate degree can carry you into a licensed career. The tradeoff is debt: nursing students borrow around $29,000, more than double the school-wide median. The certificate programs tell a harder story. HVAC pays about $30,000, and the medical assisting, health administration, and dental support certificates all land in the mid-$20,000s. Those numbers sit near what you might earn without the certificate at all, which makes the tuition hard to justify for anything but nursing.
The specific risk here is paying for a certificate that doesn't move your income. You could spend $27,500 on a medical assisting program and end up earning $25,000. Combine that with a 36% graduation rate and the odds of paying without finishing are real.
Net price barely changes across income levels: families under $30,000 pay about $27,000, and those over $110,000 pay around $34,000. Low-income families get almost no break here, so a Fortis-Columbia bill will consume a large share of your household budget regardless of what you earn.
This school makes financial sense only if you enroll in nursing, finish, and pass licensure. For any of the certificate tracks, look at community college programs in the Columbia area first, where the same credentials cost far less.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Fortis College-Columbia worth the cost?
Fortis College-Columbia's ROI depends heavily on your program choice. Nursing graduates earn $53,671 annually, making the $27,508 yearly cost worthwhile, but other programs like dental support services ($24,109) barely cover the tuition investment.
What is the job market like for Fortis College-Columbia graduates?
The school's 36% graduation rate is concerning, meaning most students don't finish their programs. HVAC technicians and nurses have better job prospects than graduates from the lower-paying health administration programs.
How much debt do Fortis College-Columbia students graduate with?
The median debt is $12,547, which is manageable compared to many colleges. However, with average earnings of $36,368 ten years after enrollment, students in lower-paying programs may struggle to justify even this debt level.
Which programs at Fortis College-Columbia have the best return on investment?
Registered nursing offers the strongest ROI with $53,671 in annual earnings. HVAC programs ($30,047) provide decent returns, while dental support and medical assisting programs pay too little to justify the cost.