At $24,705/yr net price, Fortis College-Smyrna 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) | $24,705 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $98,820 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $36,368/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$2,368/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 41.7 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 54.1% |
| 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 | $24,266/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $24,421/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $25,807/yr |
| $110,001+ | $31,214/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Certificate | $31,547 | $6,333 |
| Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician (HAC, HACR, HVAC, HVACR). | Certificate | $30,047 | $13,000 |
| Dental Support Services and Allied Professions. | Associate | $27,895 | $21,416 |
| Precision Metal Working. | Certificate | $27,679 | $13,000 |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services. | Certificate | $25,079 | $9,500 |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services. | Associate | $23,745 | |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services. | Associate | $23,649 |
The Risk Factor
54.1% of students at Fortis College-Smyrna graduate within 6 years. More than half of students finish, but the dropout rate is a real factor in whether this investment pays off.
Analysis
The financial return at Fortis College-Smyrna is weak. You pay $24,705 a year in net price, yet the median graduate earns $36,368 a decade after enrolling. That earnings figure sits close to what many workers make without any postsecondary credential, so the price you pay is hard to justify by the paycheck that follows.
None of the top programs here pay well. The best earner is the Allied Health Diagnostic certificate at $31,547, and it comes with low debt of $6,333, which makes it the least risky option on this list. HVAC and Precision Metal Working both land around $30,000 and $27,679 with $13,000 in debt. The Dental Support associate degree is the worst trade-off: $27,895 in earnings against $21,416 in debt, the highest borrowing of any program listed for one of the lowest payoffs. Every program here is a certificate or associate, so treat these as short-credential jobs, not degree-level careers.
The specific risk is that a single year of net price exceeds the median annual earnings gap you gain. If you borrow at the Dental Support level and land at the median wage, repayment eats a large share of your income.
The net price barely drops for lower-income families. If your household earns under $30,000, you still pay $24,266, almost the same as everyone else, so the sticker price hits low-income families nearly as hard as high earners.
This school makes financial sense only if you target the Allied Health Diagnostic or Medical Assisting certificates, where debt stays low. If you want a career that clears $40,000, look at a community college with far lower net price and comparable credentials.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Fortis College-Smyrna worth the cost for career training?
With a net price of $24,705 annually and graduates earning $36,368 after 10 years, the financial return is modest but positive for most programs. The relatively low median debt of $12,547 keeps the financial risk manageable compared to many career colleges.
What are the best paying programs at Fortis College-Smyrna?
Allied Health Diagnostic programs offer the highest earnings at $31,547, followed by HVAC technology at $30,047. Medical assisting has the lowest earnings potential at $25,079, which may not justify the program cost.
How risky is the debt at Fortis College-Smyrna?
The median debt of $12,547 is lower than many career colleges, making loan payments more manageable. However, with a 54% graduation rate, nearly half of students leave without completing their programs.
Does Fortis College-Smyrna provide good value compared to other trade schools?
The school offers adequate value for students who complete their programs, particularly in allied health fields. The combination of moderate debt levels and steady earnings makes it a reasonable option for career training, though not exceptional.