Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants at Fortis College-Baton Rouge

Fortis College-Baton Rouge's practical nursing program produces graduates who earn above the Louisiana median from day one, but that comes at a significant cost. While first-year earnings of $46,000 rank in the 60th percentile statewide, graduates carry $24,708 in debt—about $4,600 more than the typical Louisiana nursing program. That puts this program in the 5th percentile nationally for debt load, meaning 95% of comparable programs graduate students with less debt.

The earnings trajectory tells a concerning story: graduates see essentially flat income growth over their first four years, while several Louisiana programs—including Healthcare Training Institute and Compass Career College—place graduates earning $53,000 to $62,000 annually. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.54 isn't catastrophic, but it means graduates will spend roughly six months of gross income servicing debt from a credential that should launch them into steady work quickly. Given that 88% of students here receive Pell grants, that debt burden lands hardest on those who can least afford it.

For parents, the question is whether above-average starting pay justifies well-above-average debt when multiple Louisiana schools offer better outcomes. If your student can access Fletcher Technical Community College or similar programs, those represent stronger financial starts to a nursing career.