At $19,803/yr net price, Fortis College-Richmond graduates earn $32,754/yr within 10 years of enrollment.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $19,803 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $79,212 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $32,754/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | $-1,246/yr |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 37.3% |
| 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 | $19,347/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $19,604/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $21,093/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $26,643/yr |
| $110,001+ | $26,643/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 |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services. | Certificate | $18,498 |
The Risk Factor
37.3% of students at Fortis College-Richmond 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-Richmond delivers poor financial returns that struggle to justify the investment. With median earnings of just $32,754 ten years after enrollment and a net price approaching $20,000 annually, your payback period stretches uncomfortably long for a two-year program.
The school's signature Allied Health and Medical Assisting programs produce graduates earning around $19,000 annually while carrying $9,500 in debt. These earnings barely exceed minimum wage work and create a challenging debt-to-income ratio that limits your financial mobility for years. Health and Medical Administrative Services fares even worse at $18,498 annually.
The 37% graduation rate signals significant academic and financial risk. You face a real possibility of accumulating debt without completing your program, leaving you worse off than when you started. This completion rate reflects both the school's support systems and the challenges many students face balancing work, family, and studies.
Your best financial strategy involves exploring community college alternatives that offer similar healthcare training at lower costs. Virginia's community colleges provide medical assisting and health administration programs with better completion rates and lower debt burdens. If you proceed with Fortis, maximize federal aid opportunities and avoid private loans.
This school might work if you need flexible scheduling that traditional colleges cannot accommodate and you have strong family or employer support to help you complete the program. However, the combination of high costs, low earnings, and poor completion rates makes Fortis a financially risky choice for most prospective students seeking healthcare careers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Fortis College-Richmond worth the cost compared to other schools?
With graduates earning $32,754 after 10 years and a net price of $19,803 annually, Fortis College-Richmond offers modest returns. The low graduation rate of 37% means many students don't complete their programs, which hurts the investment value.
Which programs at Fortis College-Richmond have the best job prospects?
Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services graduates earn around $19,120, while Health and Medical Administrative Services graduates make about $18,498. Both programs lead to earnings below the national average for college graduates.
How much student debt do Fortis College-Richmond graduates typically have?
The median debt is $9,500, which is relatively low compared to many colleges. However, with starting salaries under $20,000 in top programs, even this modest debt load can be challenging to repay.
What are the biggest financial risks of attending Fortis College-Richmond?
The 37% graduation rate means nearly two-thirds of students leave without a degree but may still carry debt. Even graduates in the school's best programs earn less than $20,000 annually, making loan repayment difficult.