At $22,914/yr net price, Fortis Institute-Birmingham graduates earn $32,886/yr within 10 years of enrollment.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $22,914 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $91,656 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $32,886/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | $-1,114/yr |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 36.2% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $12,346 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $22,514/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $22,888/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $24,641/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $29,880/yr |
| $110,001+ | $29,880/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician (HAC, HACR, HVAC, HVACR). | Certificate | $30,870 | $13,000 |
| Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions. | Associate | $30,409 | $29,680 |
| Electrical and Power Transmission Installers. | Certificate | $24,730 | |
| Dental Support Services and Allied Professions. | Certificate | $24,376 | $12,293 |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services. | Certificate | $22,757 | $13,000 |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services. | Certificate | $22,303 | $9,500 |
The Risk Factor
36.2% of students at Fortis Institute-Birmingham 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 return at Fortis Institute-Birmingham is weak. You pay roughly $23,000 a year for a school where median earnings ten years out land at $32,886 , barely above what many jobs pay without any credential at all. A 36% graduation rate means most students who start here do not finish, and you can still owe debt whether or not you walk away with a certificate.
The programs here are certificates and associate degrees in trades and allied health, and the payoffs are thin. HVAC leads the pack, but its earnings still sit close to $31,000. The clinical/medical laboratory associate degree pays about the same, yet it carries roughly $29,680 in debt , more than double the debt of the HVAC certificate for nearly identical earnings. That is a bad trade. The dental support and health administrative certificates pay in the low $20,000s, which puts your earnings below the yearly net price you paid to get there.
The specific risk here is that cost and outcome move in the wrong direction. You spend private-school prices for community-college-level earnings, and the completion odds are against you.
The net price tiers make this worse for the families most likely to attend. If your family earns under $30,000, you still pay about $22,500 a year , almost the same as families earning over $110,000. There is no meaningful price break for low-income students, so the burden falls hardest on those who can least absorb it.
This school is a reasonable fit only if you go for HVAC specifically, want the fastest possible path into that trade, and can keep debt near the certificate level. For any other program here, or if price matters to you, a local community college will cost far less for the same or better earnings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Fortis Institute-Birmingham worth the cost compared to other schools?
With graduates earning $32,886 ten years after enrollment and a net price of $22,914 per year, Fortis Institute-Birmingham offers modest returns that may not justify the cost for many students. The low 36% graduation rate adds significant risk to your investment.
Which programs at Fortis Institute-Birmingham have the best job prospects?
HVAC technician training offers the highest earning potential at $30,870 annually, followed by medical laboratory programs at $30,409. These technical programs provide the best return on investment compared to administrative health programs that average under $25,000.
How much student debt do Fortis Institute-Birmingham graduates typically have?
The median debt is $12,346, which is relatively manageable compared to four-year colleges. However, with graduate earnings around $33,000, debt payments could still strain your budget for several years.
What are the biggest risks of attending Fortis Institute-Birmingham?
The 36% graduation rate means nearly two-thirds of students don't complete their programs, often leaving with debt but no credential. Even graduates face limited earning potential, with most programs leading to jobs paying less than $31,000 annually.