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

Fortis Institute-Nashville graduates leave with nearly $31,000 in debt—about 60% more than typical Tennessee programs in this field—yet earn below the state median right from graduation. That debt burden becomes harder to manage as earnings actually decline by year four, dropping from $46,193 to $43,939. With a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.67, graduates are starting with roughly eight months of gross income in student loans, which is manageable in theory but problematic when combined with falling earnings.

The comparison to Tennessee alternatives is stark. Columbia State Community College produces graduates earning $58,000 with similar debt loads, while even mid-tier options like Chattanooga State ($50,848) significantly outpace Fortis's outcomes. At 40th percentile statewide, this program sits squarely in the bottom half of Tennessee options, and the negative earnings trajectory suggests graduates may be churning through lower-paying positions rather than advancing in their careers.

For families considering this program, the high Pell Grant percentage (69%) indicates it serves a population with limited resources—making that $31,000 debt burden even more consequential. Tennessee's community colleges offer demonstrably better value in this field, with higher earnings and lower debt. Unless there are specific accessibility or scheduling considerations that make Fortis the only option, this program's combination of declining earnings and above-average debt makes it difficult to recommend over state alternatives.