Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions at Fortis College

Fortis College's Allied Health program carries substantially more debt than comparable options while delivering earnings that fall well below both state and national averages. At $24,222 in median debt—about 70% higher than typical for this credential—graduates start their careers behind peers from other Texas programs who earn $46,266 at the median versus this program's $36,726. Within Houston itself, Houston Community College graduates in the same field earn $64,648 initially, nearly double what Fortis students make in year one.

The strong earnings growth from $36,726 to $48,347 over four years does help narrow the gap, but it's worth noting that even at the four-year mark, graduates haven't reached what peers from other programs earn right away. The debt burden becomes particularly concerning for the 73% of students receiving Pell grants, who likely have fewer financial cushions. Among Texas's 67 schools offering this certificate, Fortis ranks in just the 25th percentile for earnings while carrying above-average debt.

For families considering allied health training in Houston, the community college pathway offers dramatically better value. The debt-to-earnings ratio here isn't catastrophic at 0.66, but when nearby alternatives provide higher starting salaries with less debt, this program requires careful justification—perhaps access to specific clinical partnerships or scheduling flexibility that community colleges can't match. Without such compelling reasons, the numbers suggest looking elsewhere.