Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services at Fortis College

Fortis College's medical assisting program sits squarely in the middle of Texas options but lags significantly behind national standards. While graduates earn $23,420 in their first year—just below the Texas median of $24,563—they fall into the 17th percentile nationally, meaning 83% of similar programs elsewhere produce higher-earning graduates. The debt load of $9,500 is manageable at typical levels, but the earnings simply aren't competitive with what students could achieve at nearby alternatives.

The gap with top Texas programs is substantial and telling. Houston Community College graduates earn $35,469 initially—about $12,000 more per year than Fortis students—while Lone Star College System produces $33,233 earners. Even accounting for the 18% earnings growth Fortis graduates see by year four (reaching $27,561), they still trail these community college alternatives by significant margins.

For families considering this investment, the numbers suggest looking elsewhere first. With 73% of Fortis students receiving Pell grants, many come from lower-income backgrounds where maximizing earning potential is crucial. Houston-area community colleges appear to offer better pathways into medical assisting careers without sacrificing affordability, making Fortis a weaker choice despite its reasonable debt levels.