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

Fortis College-Norfolk's nursing graduates start strong at $71,678—landing in the 60th percentile among Virginia nursing programs—but that debt number demands attention. At $36,678, graduates carry nearly double what's typical for nursing associates degrees in the state ($20,010 median). That means roughly half a year's salary in debt versus the three-month burden most Virginia nursing grads face.

The earnings picture adds complexity: graduates make essentially the same amount four years out as they do fresh from school, while peers at nearby programs like Southside College of Health Sciences and Northern Virginia Community College see similar or better starting salaries with half the debt load. With 66% of students receiving Pell grants, that debt differential hits families who can least afford it—turning what should be nursing's reliable path to middle-class stability into a costlier gamble.

The credential itself clearly has value in Norfolk's healthcare market, and the starting salary proves these graduates can work. But families should run the numbers carefully: that extra $16,000+ in debt compared to state norms translates to roughly $180/month over ten years of repayment. For a profession with consistent wages, starting with less debt from a comparable program might be the smarter financial foundation.