Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services at Fortis College-Norfolk

Fortis College-Norfolk's allied health program sits right at Virginia's median for earnings but significantly trails the national average by over $4,000 annually. While this places the program in the 60th percentile within Virginia—meaning it outperforms most in-state competitors—graduates earn less than 86% of similar programs nationwide, landing in just the 14th percentile nationally.

The debt picture offers some relief, with $9,500 in median debt creating a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.41. This means graduates typically owe less than half their first-year salary, which is reasonable for a certificate program. However, the minimal earnings growth—just 2% over four years—means graduates shouldn't expect significant salary increases with experience.

For Virginia families, this program represents a middle-ground option that's competitive within the state but underwhelming nationally. The high percentage of Pell Grant recipients (66%) suggests the school serves students who need affordable career training, and the low debt burden supports that mission. Parents should know their child will likely start working immediately after graduation with manageable debt, but earnings potential remains limited compared to stronger programs like ECPI University, which pays $6,400 more annually for similar training.