Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants at Fortis Institute-Towson
Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma
fortis.eduAnalysis
Fortis Institute-Towson charges nearly double what most practical nursing programs cost nationwide, yet delivers below-average earnings for Maryland. While $49,956 at graduation sounds reasonable and ranks in the 75th percentile nationally, that figure actually falls into the 40th percentile among Maryland's 16 nursing programs—meaning six out of ten alternatives produce better outcomes. More troubling: earnings decline to $47,995 by year four, suggesting graduates may struggle to advance in their careers.
The debt picture makes this especially problematic. At $28,378, students here graduate owing 90% more than the national median and significantly more than Maryland's median of $21,410. Community colleges across Maryland—including Howard CC, Wor-Wic, and the Community College of Baltimore County—consistently deliver higher earnings while charging far less. With 81% of students receiving Pell grants, this higher debt burden hits an already financially vulnerable population.
Given Maryland's strong community college options for practical nursing, families should seriously question the value here. The premium pricing doesn't translate to premium outcomes—it's actually delivering below-median state results at above-average cost. Unless geographic access is severely limited, Maryland's community college nursing programs offer substantially better return on investment.
Where Fortis Institute-Towson Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all practical nursing, vocational nursing and nursing assistants certificate's programs nationally
Earnings Distribution
How Fortis Institute-Towson 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-Towson | $49,956 | $47,995 | -4% |
| Berkshire Community College | $49,764 | $69,633 | +40% |
| Unitek College | $61,838 | $69,596 | +13% |
| Wor-Wic Community College | $61,298 | $56,065 | -9% |
| Allegany College of Maryland | $34,814 | $32,777 | -6% |
Compare to Similar Programs in Maryland
Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants certificate's programs at peer institutions in Maryland (16 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr) | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Fortis Institute-TowsonTowson | — | $49,956 | $47,995 | $28,378 | 0.57 |
 Wor-Wic Community CollegeSalisbury | $3,744 | $61,298 | $56,065 | $12,725 | 0.21 |
 Howard Community CollegeColumbia | $4,080 | $58,704 | — | $23,608 | 0.40 |
 Community College of Baltimore CountyBaltimore | $4,380 | $52,782 | — | $25,117 | 0.48 |
 Hagerstown Community CollegeHagerstown | $4,320 | $45,584 | — | $19,211 | 0.42 |
 Allegany College of MarylandCumberland | $4,730 | $34,814 | $32,777 | $16,250 | 0.47 |
| National Median | — | $44,134 | — | $14,803 | 0.34 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with practical nursing, vocational nursing and nursing assistants graduates
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-Towson, approximately 81% 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.