Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants at Fortis College-Richmond

Fortis College-Richmond's practical nursing program charges above-average tuition but delivers results that justify the investment. At $20,455 in debt, graduates pay about $4,000 more than the Virginia median, yet they're earning $50,451 in their first year—outpacing the national median by 14% and placing in the 77th percentile nationally. That's a debt-to-earnings ratio of just 0.41, meaning graduates earn more than double their debt in year one.

The Virginia picture adds useful perspective: this program ranks in the 60th percentile statewide, landing comfortably in the middle tier alongside sister campus Fortis College-Norfolk. You'll find stronger earning outcomes at Piedmont Virginia Community College or Standard Healthcare Services, but you'd also be competing with different admission processes and potentially longer wait times. The earnings plateau between years one and four suggests practical nursing salaries stabilize quickly—typical for licensed roles with defined pay scales.

For a family willing to invest slightly more upfront, this represents a reliable pathway into nursing. With 71% of students receiving Pell grants, Fortis clearly serves working-class families who need credentials that translate directly into stable employment. The debt load remains manageable, and graduates enter the workforce earning well above poverty wages immediately.