At $29,556/yr net price, Fortis College-Norfolk graduates earn $32,754/yr within 10 years of enrollment.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $29,556 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $118,224 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $32,754/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | $-1,246/yr |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 32.6% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $9,500 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $28,979/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $29,287/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $28,646/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $31,551/yr |
| $110,001+ | $35,941/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services. | Certificate | $19,120 | $9,500 |
The Risk Factor
32.6% of students at Fortis College-Norfolk 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
The financial picture at Fortis College-Norfolk is weak. You pay nearly $30,000 a year in net price, and the median earnings ten years out land at $32,754 , barely above what many jobs pay without any postsecondary training. That gap between what you put in and what you get back is the problem here.
Only one program has reported earnings data: the certificate in Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services, and it pays $19,120 a year. That figure sits below the school-wide median, which means this specific credential , the one with public numbers , points toward low-wage work in the Norfolk area. There is no bachelor-level program data to point you toward a stronger payoff. If a program's earnings can't clear the local cost of living, the math doesn't work.
The main risk is completion. Only about a third of students finish, so you can carry a year or more of that $30,000 annual cost and leave with no credential and no earnings bump. The debt side looks modest at $9,500, but that low number partly reflects how few people finish to take on the full load.
The net price barely moves by income. A family under $30,000 pays close to what a family over $110,000 pays, so lower-income families don't get meaningful relief here. You'd be spending roughly the same $29,000 whether you earn little or a lot.
This school is a poor financial fit if you're paying full net price and financing it with loans. If you want a fast medical-assisting certificate and can cover the cost cheaply , through employer help or grants that cut the price sharply , the short timeline may justify it. Otherwise, compare the same programs at a Virginia community college, where the cost is a fraction of this.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Fortis College-Norfolk worth the cost compared to other schools?
Fortis College-Norfolk graduates earn a median of $32,754 ten years after enrollment, while paying $29,556 per year in net costs. This creates a challenging return on investment, especially given the low 32.6% graduation rate.
What programs at Fortis College-Norfolk have the best job prospects?
Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services is the top program, with graduates in this field earning around $19,120 annually. However, this salary is well below the national average and may not justify the school's annual cost of nearly $30,000.
How much debt do Fortis College-Norfolk students typically graduate with?
The median debt for Fortis College-Norfolk graduates is $9,500, which is relatively low compared to many schools. However, with graduate earnings averaging just over $32,000, even this modest debt load represents a significant burden.
Should I attend Fortis College-Norfolk or look at other options?
With a 32.6% graduation rate and graduate earnings barely above the annual tuition cost, Fortis College-Norfolk presents significant financial risk. Community colleges or state schools often offer similar programs with better outcomes and lower costs.