Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions at Fortis College-Smyrna

Fortis College-Smyrna's allied health program manages the debt side well—graduates owe just $6,333, far below both the state median of $11,782 and national average of $14,167. That low debt load means the program is accessible for the predominantly Pell-eligible student body (73%). However, the earnings picture reveals a significant tradeoff: first-year median pay of $36,243 sits in just the 25th percentile among Georgia's 28 allied health programs, roughly $6,500 below the state median and nearly $10,000 below national averages.

The comparison to Georgia's technical colleges is striking. Top performers like Lanier Technical College produce graduates earning $59,869—$23,000 more than Fortis graduates with similar credentials. Even mid-tier programs consistently deliver earnings in the $50,000 range. With minimal earnings growth over four years (just 3%), Fortis graduates aren't catching up to peers who start at higher salaries elsewhere.

For families prioritizing minimal debt, this program delivers on that front with a manageable 0.17 debt-to-earnings ratio. But the earnings gap is substantial enough that graduates from higher-paying programs would likely recover from slightly higher debt quickly. Before committing, compare this closely with Georgia's technical college system, where similar allied health certificates consistently produce stronger earning outcomes without requiring students to take on dramatically more debt.