Fortis Institute-Birmingham: $14,561 Tuition

$14,561Tuition

339Students

36%Grad Rate (6-yr)

$32,886Earnings

Private forprofit2-yearData: 2023-24

About Fortis Institute-Birmingham

Fortis Institute-Birmingham trains students for healthcare careers through hands-on programs designed to get graduates working quickly. The school enrolls 339 students in a midsize city setting. This for-profit career college focuses on practical skills training rather than traditional academics. Students here are preparing for jobs as medical assistants, dental assistants, and other allied health positions that Alabama's growing healthcare sector needs.

Tuition costs $14,561 regardless of residency, but the real price story is more complicated. The average net price reaches $22,914 after aid, meaning most students pay more than the sticker price. Nearly 79% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating a high-need student population. Graduates earn a median of $32,886 ten years after enrollment, while carrying $12,346 in debt with monthly payments around $131. The employment rate hits 94.1%, suggesting strong job placement, though only 36% complete their programs within six years.

The student body reflects Birmingham's demographics, with 77% Black students and 98% Alabama residents. Women slightly outnumber men at 52%. With a 20:1 student-faculty ratio, expect larger class sizes than at traditional colleges. The loan repayment rate of just 31% signals potential financial struggles for many graduates despite high employment numbers.

Academics & Faculty

Fortis Institute specializes in career-focused healthcare and technical training programs. The school operates as a for-profit institution designed to prepare students for immediate employment in high-demand fields like medical assisting, nursing, and skilled trades. With a 20:1 student-faculty ratio, classes remain relatively small for hands-on learning. However, only 36% of students complete their programs within six years, reflecting the challenges many working adults face balancing education with other responsibilities. The institute focuses on practical skills over theoretical knowledge. Most graduates enter the workforce quickly, with a 94% employment rate demonstrating strong job placement outcomes. Programs typically emphasize clinical experience and industry certifications that employers value in healthcare and technical sectors.

Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education

Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 20:1
Full-Time Faculty: 32.3%
Graduation Rate (6-year): 36.2%
Median Earnings (10 years): $32,886

Popular Programs by Earnings

Popular programs by earnings
Program	Level	Median Earnings
Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician (HAC, HACR, HVAC, HVACR).	Certificate	$30,870
Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions.	Associate	$30,409
Electrical and Power Transmission Installers.	Certificate	$24,730
Dental Support Services and Allied Professions.	Certificate	$24,376
Health and Medical Administrative Services.	Certificate	$22,757
Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services.	Certificate	$22,303

View all 7 programs →

Campus Life

Fortis Institute sits in Birmingham's medical district, where 339 students focus intensively on healthcare career training. The campus operates year-round with rolling start dates rather than traditional semesters. Students need light jackets for winter since Birmingham rarely sees snow, but summer humidity makes air conditioning essential.

Nearly all students commute since this career college doesn't offer dorms. The 98% in-state enrollment means most drive from across Alabama for classes that often run in concentrated blocks. Students spend weekends working part-time jobs or clinical rotations rather than traditional college social activities. The 20:1 student-faculty ratio means smaller, hands-on lab sessions where students practice medical procedures on equipment they'll use in actual healthcare settings.

The diverse student body is 77% Black and 51% female, reflecting Birmingham's demographics and healthcare's workforce trends. Most students balance family responsibilities with accelerated programs designed to launch careers quickly. Study groups often meet at nearby coffee shops or the Birmingham Public Library since campus social spaces are limited. The 94% employment rate drives the serious, career-focused atmosphere that defines daily life here.

Setting: City-Midsize
Calendar System: Other

Campus Safety (2023)

No reported Clery Act crimes in 2023.

Climate & Weather

January Avg: 33°–53°F
July Avg: 71°–90°F
Annual Precipitation: 53.7"
Annual Snowfall: 1.6"

Student Demographics

This Birmingham career college draws primarily local students, with 98% coming from Alabama. The student body is predominantly African American at 77%, reflecting both the regional demographics and the school's role serving Birmingham's urban community. About three-quarters of students receive Pell Grants, indicating Fortis serves working-class families seeking career training. The nearly even gender split suggests programs that appeal to both men and women, typical of healthcare and skilled trades training that forms the backbone of for-profit career education.

Men: 48.4%
Women: 51.6%
White: 12.1%
Black: 77.0%
Hispanic: 6.5%
Asian: 0.9%
In-State Students: 98.3%
Pell Grant Recipients: 78.5%

Location

Fortis Institute sits in Birmingham, Alabama's largest city with over 200,000 residents. The school draws 98% of its students from within Alabama, reflecting its strong local ties to the Birmingham metropolitan area. Birmingham anchors central Alabama as a major healthcare and education center, with multiple hospital systems providing internship opportunities for Fortis students. The city's industrial heritage has evolved into a modern economy focused on medical services, banking, and technology. Students benefit from Birmingham's affordable cost of living and diverse cultural scene, including a revitalized downtown district. The urban setting provides access to clinical sites and employers who regularly hire Fortis graduates. Students considering colleges in Alabama may also compare Fortis Institute-Birmingham with similar schools in the region.

Address: Birmingham, Alabama 35211

After College

Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education

Median Earnings (10 years): $32,886
Median Earnings (5 years): $37,327
Mean Earnings (6 years after entry): $23,100
Loan Repayment Rate: 30.6%
Monthly Loan Payment: $131/mo
Median Debt at Graduation: $12,346

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the admission requirements at Fortis Institute-Birmingham?

Fortis Institute-Birmingham enrolls 339 students in its career-focused programs. The school primarily serves local students with 98.33% coming from Alabama. As a for-profit career college, admission typically requires a high school diploma or equivalent rather than standardized test scores.

How much does Fortis Institute-Birmingham cost after financial aid?

Students pay an average net price of $22,914 annually at Fortis Institute-Birmingham. The school charges $14,561 for tuition regardless of residency status. About 78.53% of students receive financial aid, with typical monthly loan payments of $131 after graduation.

What is the student-faculty ratio at Fortis Institute-Birmingham?

Fortis Institute-Birmingham maintains a 20:1 student-faculty ratio across its technical programs. The school operates on a non-traditional calendar system designed for accelerated career training. Classes focus on hands-on learning in fields like healthcare and skilled trades.

What are the graduation and employment outcomes at Fortis Institute-Birmingham?

The six-year graduation rate stands at 36.20% at Fortis Institute-Birmingham. However, graduates find work quickly with a 94.1% employment rate. Median earnings reach $32,886 ten years after enrollment, reflecting the school's focus on practical job skills.

Where is the Fortis Institute-Birmingham campus located?

The campus sits in Birmingham, Alabama, a mid-size city that serves as the state's largest metropolitan area. With 51.62% women and 48.38% men enrolled, the student body is 76.99% Black students. The urban setting provides access to healthcare systems and technical employers where graduates often find work.

Does Fortis Institute-Birmingham serve low-income students effectively?

Fortis Institute-Birmingham enrolls a high percentage of Pell Grant recipients at 78.53%, indicating strong service to low-income students. Students from families earning under $30,000 pay a net price of $22,514. The school's focus on career training aims to provide economic mobility for first-generation college students.