About Fortis College-Columbus
Fortis College-Columbus trains students for healthcare and skilled trade careers through hands-on programs designed to get graduates working quickly. The school enrolls 761 students in a suburban Westerville setting. This for-profit career college focuses on practical skills rather than traditional academics, with programs that emphasize real-world training over theoretical coursework.
Students face significant financial challenges here. The average net price reaches $27,674, which exceeds what most graduates earn in their first year out ($31,547). Graduates typically leave with $12,547 in debt and monthly loan payments of $133. The concerning part is the 23.68% loan repayment rate, suggesting many graduates struggle to pay back their education costs. While 94.6% of graduates find employment, their median earnings of $36,368 after ten years barely justify the upfront investment.
Women make up 82.79% of the student body, reflecting the school's focus on healthcare fields where women traditionally dominate. Nearly half the students (46.91%) are Black, and 97.33% come from Ohio. The 32.30% six-year graduation rate means most students who start here don't finish their programs. Students should carefully consider whether the career outcomes justify the costs before enrolling.
Students face significant financial challenges here. The average net price reaches $27,674, which exceeds what most graduates earn in their first year out ($31,547). Graduates typically leave with $12,547 in debt and monthly loan payments of $133. The concerning part is the 23.68% loan repayment rate, suggesting many graduates struggle to pay back their education costs. While 94.6% of graduates find employment, their median earnings of $36,368 after ten years barely justify the upfront investment.
Women make up 82.79% of the student body, reflecting the school's focus on healthcare fields where women traditionally dominate. Nearly half the students (46.91%) are Black, and 97.33% come from Ohio. The 32.30% six-year graduation rate means most students who start here don't finish their programs. Students should carefully consider whether the career outcomes justify the costs before enrolling.
Academics & Faculty
Fortis College-Columbus specializes in career-focused healthcare and skilled trades programs designed for rapid workforce entry. The school maintains a 20:1 student-faculty ratio, providing reasonable access to instructors in hands-on training environments. However, the 32% six-year graduation rate reflects the challenges many students face completing these intensive programs. Women make up 83% of enrollment, largely drawn to the college's nursing, medical assisting, and dental hygiene tracks. The curriculum emphasizes practical skills over academic theory, with most programs designed to be completed in two years or less. Students receive direct preparation for certification exams and immediate employment in growing healthcare sectors.
Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education
- Student-to-Faculty Ratio
- 20:1
- Full-Time Faculty
- 44.3%
- Graduation Rate (6-year)
- 32.3%
- Median Earnings (10 years)
- $36,368
Popular Programs by Earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Associate | $53,671 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Associate | $42,309 |
| Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants. | Certificate | $40,209 |
| Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician (HAC, HACR, HVAC, HVACR). | Certificate | $30,047 |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services. | Certificate | $25,079 |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services. | Certificate | $24,667 |
Campus Life
This suburban Columbus campus draws students focused on launching healthcare and trades careers quickly. Women make up 83% of enrollment, reflecting the school's strong nursing and medical assistant programs. Nearly all students (97%) come from Ohio, creating a tight-knit community where classmates often know each other's neighborhoods.
Westerville sits about 15 miles northeast of downtown Columbus, close enough for internships and job opportunities in Ohio's capital city. Students need winter coats for snowy January mornings and lighter layers for humid summer sessions. The career-focused calendar runs year-round with flexible scheduling options. Most students commute from nearby suburbs rather than living on campus, juggling classes with work and family obligations.
Weekend life centers around study groups and clinical rotations rather than traditional college parties. The 20:1 student-faculty ratio means instructors know students by name and track their progress closely. Many students work part-time jobs in local healthcare facilities, building networks while earning their credentials. Columbus offers internship sites at major hospitals like Ohio State Wexner Medical Center.
Westerville sits about 15 miles northeast of downtown Columbus, close enough for internships and job opportunities in Ohio's capital city. Students need winter coats for snowy January mornings and lighter layers for humid summer sessions. The career-focused calendar runs year-round with flexible scheduling options. Most students commute from nearby suburbs rather than living on campus, juggling classes with work and family obligations.
Weekend life centers around study groups and clinical rotations rather than traditional college parties. The 20:1 student-faculty ratio means instructors know students by name and track their progress closely. Many students work part-time jobs in local healthcare facilities, building networks while earning their credentials. Columbus offers internship sites at major hospitals like Ohio State Wexner Medical Center.
- Setting
- Suburb-Large
- Calendar System
- Other
Campus Safety (2023)
1 total reported incident. Source: Clery Act / U.S. Department of Education
| Offense | On Campus | Residential | Noncampus | Public Property |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Climate & Weather
- January Avg
- 21°–36°F
- July Avg
- 63°–85°F
- Annual Precipitation
- 39.1"
- Annual Snowfall
- -758.3"
Student Demographics
Women make up over 80% of the student body, reflecting Fortis College-Columbus's focus on healthcare programs like nursing and medical assisting. Nearly half of students are Black, with about one-third White, serving a diverse local community in suburban Columbus. Almost all students come from Ohio, showing the school's strong regional reputation for career training. Two-thirds receive Pell Grants, indicating the college serves working-class students seeking practical skills for immediate employment. The demographics align perfectly with healthcare's female-dominated workforce and the school's mission to train local residents for in-demand jobs.
- Men
- 17.2%
- Women
- 82.8%
- White
- 32.1%
- Black
- 46.9%
- Hispanic
- 3.8%
- Asian
- 8.3%
- In-State Students
- 97.3%
- Pell Grant Recipients
- 66.6%
Location
Fortis College-Columbus sits in Westerville, Ohio, a suburb about 15 miles northeast of Columbus. The school draws 97.33% of its students from Ohio, reflecting its strong local ties to the Columbus metropolitan area. Westerville combines suburban living with proximity to Ohio's capital city and its job market. The area offers access to major healthcare systems and employers that align with Fortis's career-focused training programs. Students can reach downtown Columbus in about 30 minutes, providing internship and employment opportunities in a metro area of over 2 million people. The region's mix of healthcare facilities, manufacturing, and service industries creates demand for skilled trades workers. Students considering colleges in Ohio may also compare Fortis College-Columbus with similar schools in the region.
- Address
- Westerville, Ohio 43081
After College
Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education
- Median Earnings (10 years)
- $36,368
- Median Earnings (5 years)
- $36,724
- Mean Earnings (6 years after entry)
- $27,500
- Loan Repayment Rate
- 23.7%
- Monthly Loan Payment
- $133/mo
- Median Debt at Graduation
- $12,547
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the student body like at Fortis College-Columbus?
Women make up 82.79% of the 761 students, reflecting the college's focus on healthcare programs where women are traditionally well-represented. The student body is diverse with 46.91% Black students and 32.06% White students, and nearly all students (97.33%) come from Ohio.
How much does Fortis College-Columbus cost after financial aid?
The average net price is $27,674 despite tuition of $14,148, indicating additional fees and living costs. Two-thirds of students (66.59%) receive Pell Grants, but only 7.36% receive institutional grants averaging $5,879.
What kind of academic experience does Fortis College-Columbus offer?
The college operates on a non-traditional calendar system with a 20:1 student-faculty ratio focused on career training. Programs emphasize hands-on learning in healthcare and skilled trades rather than traditional academic subjects.
What are the job prospects after graduating from Fortis College-Columbus?
Graduates have a 94.6% employment rate, showing strong job placement in their trained fields. However, median earnings are $36,368 ten years after graduation, and only 32.30% complete their programs within six years.
Where is Fortis College-Columbus located and what is the campus setting?
The college sits in Westerville, Ohio, a large suburban area outside Columbus. This location provides access to healthcare facilities and employers in the Columbus metropolitan area where graduates typically find work.
How manageable is student debt at Fortis College-Columbus?
Graduates carry a median debt of $12,547 with monthly payments of $133, which is relatively modest for career college graduates. However, only 23.68% of borrowers are successfully repaying their loans, suggesting financial challenges for many graduates.
