At $24,118/yr net price, Fortis Institute-Cookeville graduates earn $34,509/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $509/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $24,118 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $96,472 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $34,509/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$509/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 189.5 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 31.6% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $13,000 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $23,325/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $23,773/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $25,834/yr |
| $110,001+ | $31,068/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions. | Associate | $39,369 | |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Associate | $38,289 | |
| Ground Transportation. | Certificate | $33,993 | $6,333 |
| Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician (HAC, HACR, HVAC, HVACR). | Certificate | $32,818 | $13,000 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Certificate | $28,960 | |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services. | Certificate | $21,640 | $9,500 |
The Risk Factor
31.6% of students at Fortis Institute-Cookeville 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-Cookeville is weak. You pay about $24,000 a year in net price, and ten years after enrolling the median graduate earns $34,509. That gap is the core problem: two years of cost lands close to a full year of eventual pay. The 31.6% graduation rate makes it worse, because most people who start here do not finish, and dropping out leaves you with debt and no credential.
The programs that pay off are the health associate degrees. Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science and Allied Health Diagnostic each clear $38,000, the top earnings on offer. If you enroll, these are the tracks worth your money. The HVAC certificate ($32,818) carries a $13,000 median debt load,the same debt as a full associate program,so you take on serious borrowing for a mid-range payoff. The Ground Transportation certificate is the smartest deal here: $33,993 in earnings against just $6,333 in debt. Lower certificates like Allied Health Diagnostic at $28,960 sit near the bottom and are hard to justify.
The specific risk is completion. With a two-thirds dropout rate, the biggest danger is paying and leaving with nothing. Median debt of $13,000 is manageable only if you graduate and land in one of the health tracks.
Net price barely drops for low-income families,if you earn under $30,000, you still pay $23,325, roughly the same as everyone else. There is no meaningful discount for need here. This school fits you if you want a specific health credential or the low-debt truck-driving certificate and are confident you will finish. If you want a broad or affordable path, look elsewhere.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Fortis Institute-Cookeville worth the cost?
With a net price of $24,118 per year and median earnings of $34,509 after 10 years, Fortis Institute-Cookeville offers modest returns that depend heavily on your program choice. The medical lab science program shows the strongest ROI at $39,369 in earnings, while other programs may struggle to justify the cost.
What is the graduation rate at Fortis Institute-Cookeville?
Fortis Institute-Cookeville has a 31.6% graduation rate, meaning roughly 2 out of 3 students don't complete their programs. This low completion rate significantly increases the financial risk of enrolling.
Which programs at Fortis Institute-Cookeville have the best job prospects?
Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science leads with $39,369 in median earnings, followed by Allied Health Diagnostic programs at $38,289. Transportation and HVAC programs earn less at around $33,000, making them harder to justify given the school's costs.
How much student debt do Fortis Institute-Cookeville graduates typically have?
The median debt is $13,000, which is relatively manageable compared to the school's annual cost. However, with a 31.6% graduation rate, many students may accumulate debt without completing their programs.