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

Fortis College-Richmond's nursing graduates earn above both state and national medians right from the start—placing in the 60th percentile among Virginia's 31 nursing programs—but they're paying nearly double the typical debt burden to get there. At $36,678 in loans versus a state median of just $20,010, graduates face a notably heavier financial load than peers at comparable community colleges who achieve similar earnings outcomes.

The flat earnings trajectory raises questions about long-term value. While the $71,678 starting salary easily covers debt payments (with a manageable 0.51 ratio), four-year earnings remaining essentially unchanged suggests graduates may hit their peak quickly. Compare this to programs like Northern Virginia Community College, where students graduate with far less debt and still reach $72,905. For a population where 71% receive Pell grants, that extra $16,000 in borrowing represents a significant sacrifice for minimal earnings advantage.

The program works if your child needs immediate, solid-paying employment and can handle the higher debt load. But Virginia's community college nursing programs offer a more financially efficient path to nearly identical outcomes, particularly important for families already stretching to afford college.