Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions at Fortis Institute-Cookeville

With only a handful of graduates tracked, the data here is inherently unstable, but what we can see raises questions. Fortis Institute-Cookeville's allied health program produces earnings around $41,000—roughly $6,000 below Tennessee's median for similar programs and $13,000 below the national benchmark. While that places it in the 40th percentile statewide (middle of the pack for Tennessee), it's in just the 5th percentile nationally, suggesting Tennessee's allied health programs generally underperform compared to other states. The program serves a predominantly low-income student population (73% receive Pell grants), so the modest debt load of $19,500 is important—it's actually slightly below both state and national medians.

The concerning detail is the earnings trajectory: graduates actually earn slightly *less* four years out than they do in their first year. That's unusual for healthcare fields, which typically see steady salary progression. When you compare Fortis to top-performing Tennessee programs—where grads at Meridian Institute earn nearly double ($76,000) and even community colleges like Columbia State deliver $58,000—the gap becomes stark.

For families considering this investment, understand you're looking at below-average earnings potential in a state that already lags nationally in this field. The debt is manageable, but the career ceiling appears low. If allied health is the goal, Tennessee community colleges offer notably better outcomes at similar or lower costs.