Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services (Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma) at Fortis Institute-Port Saint Lucie

Median Earnings (1yr)

$25,556

35th percentile

40th percentile in Florida

Median Debt

$9,500

At national median

Analysis

Fortis Institute's medical assisting program delivers below-average earnings despite manageable debt levels. With first-year earnings of $25,556, graduates earn about $1,600 less than the national median and $700 less than the Florida average for similar programs. Among Florida's 99 medical assisting programs, this ranks in just the 40th percentile—meaning 60% of comparable programs produce better-earning graduates.

The debt picture offers some relief, with the $9,500 median matching both national and state averages. This creates a reasonable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.37, meaning graduates can expect to earn back their investment in under three years. The 10% earnings growth from year one to year four also provides modest optimism, though graduates still trail peers significantly even after four years in the field.

What's particularly concerning is the performance gap compared to Florida's top programs. Students at Manatee Technical College or Miami Dade College earn $10,000+ more annually right out of the gate. For a parent considering this investment, the math suggests looking at community colleges or technical schools with stronger track records—the same debt but substantially better earning potential makes those alternatives worth serious consideration before committing to Fortis Institute.

Where Fortis Institute-Port Saint Lucie Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all allied health and medical assisting services certificate's programs nationally

Earnings Distribution

How Fortis Institute-Port Saint Lucie graduates compare to all programs nationally

Earnings Over Time

How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation

School	1 Year	4 Years	Growth
Fortis Institute-Port Saint Lucie	$25,556	$28,041	+10%
William T McFatter Technical College	$30,643	$36,405	+19%
Orange Technical College-West Campus	$23,098	$35,014	+52%
Indian River State College	$31,062	$32,977	+6%
Meridian College	$26,939	$32,751	+22%

Compare to Similar Programs in Florida

Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services certificate's programs at peer institutions in Florida (99 total in state)

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School	In-State Tuition	Earnings (1yr)	Earnings (4yr)	Median Debt	Debt/Earnings
Fortis Institute-Port Saint LuciePort Saint Lucie	$14,087	$25,556	$28,041	$9,500	0.37
Manatee Technical CollegeBradenton	—	$35,907	—	—	—
Miami Dade CollegeMiami	$2,838	$34,527	$29,030	$7,695	0.22
Palm Beach State CollegeLake Worth	$3,050	$33,935	—	—	—
Lorenzo Walker Technical CollegeNaples	—	$33,354	$30,757	—	—
H W Brewster Technical CollegeTampa	—	$33,100	—	—	—
National Median	—	$27,186	—	$9,500	0.35

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with allied health and medical assisting services graduates

Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in health specialties, in fields such as dentistry, laboratory technology, medicine, pharmacy, public health, therapy, and veterinary medicine.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Occupational Therapy Assistants

Assist occupational therapists in providing occupational therapy treatments and procedures. May, in accordance with state laws, assist in development of treatment plans, carry out routine functions, direct activity programs, and document the progress of treatments. Generally requires formal training.

$66,050/yrJobs growth:

Surgical Technologists

Assist in operations, under the supervision of surgeons, registered nurses, or other surgical personnel. May help set up operating room, prepare and transport patients for surgery, adjust lights and equipment, pass instruments and other supplies to surgeons and surgeons' assistants, hold retractors, cut sutures, and help count sponges, needles, supplies, and instruments.

$62,480/yrJobs growth:Postsecondary nondegree award

Physical Therapist Assistants

Assist physical therapists in providing physical therapy treatments and procedures. May, in accordance with state laws, assist in the development of treatment plans, carry out routine functions, document the progress of treatment, and modify specific treatments in accordance with patient status and within the scope of treatment plans established by a physical therapist. Generally requires formal training.

$60,050/yrJobs growth:

Medical Assistants

Perform administrative and certain clinical duties under the direction of a physician. Administrative duties may include scheduling appointments, maintaining medical records, billing, and coding information for insurance purposes. Clinical duties may include taking and recording vital signs and medical histories, preparing patients for examination, drawing blood, and administering medications as directed by physician.

$44,200/yrJobs growth:Postsecondary nondegree award

Pharmacy Technicians

Prepare medications under the direction of a pharmacist. May measure, mix, count out, label, and record amounts and dosages of medications according to prescription orders.

$43,460/yrJobs growth:High school diploma or equivalent

Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technicians

Perform routine medical laboratory tests for the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disease. May work under the supervision of a medical technologist.

Histology Technicians

Prepare histological slides from tissue sections for microscopic examination and diagnosis by pathologists. May assist with research studies.

Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other

All health technologists and technicians not listed separately.

Neurodiagnostic Technologists

Conduct electroneurodiagnostic (END) tests such as electroencephalograms, evoked potentials, polysomnograms, or electronystagmograms. May perform nerve conduction studies.

Ophthalmic Medical Technologists

Assist ophthalmologists by performing ophthalmic clinical functions and ophthalmic photography. Provide instruction and supervision to other ophthalmic personnel. Assist with minor surgical procedures, applying aseptic techniques and preparing instruments. May perform eye exams, administer eye medications, and instruct patients in care and use of corrective lenses.

Healthcare Support Workers, All Other

All healthcare support workers not listed separately.

About This Data

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)

Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Fortis Institute-Port Saint Lucie, approximately 76% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.

Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.

Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.

Sample Size: Based on 356 graduates with reported earnings and 423 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.