Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at Fortis College-Indianapolis

Fortis College-Indianapolis trains nursing graduates who earn above Indiana's state median while carrying substantially more debt than typical nursing programs. With starting salaries around $66,400, graduates rank in the 60th percentile within Indiana—competitive with Purdue Global and ahead of most state programs. However, that comes at a cost: median debt of $37,444 is nearly twice the national average for nursing associates degrees.

The debt burden becomes the critical factor here. While the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.56 isn't catastrophic, it's noticeably higher than what you'd see at comparable programs. Ivy Tech Community College, for instance, produces graduates earning virtually the same amount while students typically borrow about $3,000 less. More concerning is the 1% earnings growth over four years—graduates aren't seeing meaningful salary progression that might justify the higher borrowing. With nearly 80% of students receiving Pell grants, many families here are starting with limited financial cushion.

Your child can become a well-paid nurse through this program, but the financial structure isn't optimal. If Ivy Tech or another state option is accessible, the lower debt load for similar outcomes makes more sense. If Fortis is the best fit for scheduling or support services, go in with eyes open about that extra debt and budget accordingly for those first few years of repayment.