Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at Fortis Institute-Towson

The $42,650 in debt for a two-year nursing degree should immediately catch your attention—it's more than double Maryland's median ($18,500) and ranks in the 95th percentile nationally for cost. While graduates start strong at $69,200, they're actually earning less four years later at $63,932, creating an uncomfortable financial squeeze. More concerning: Maryland community colleges like Prince George's ($89,437) and Community College of Baltimore County ($75,725) are producing nurses who earn significantly more while carrying far less debt.

With 81% of students receiving Pell grants, Fortis is serving a financially vulnerable population that can't easily absorb this debt burden. The 0.62 debt-to-earnings ratio might sound manageable on paper, but consider what it means practically: graduates are entering the workforce with debt equivalent to 8 months of their first-year salary, and their earning power is declining rather than growing. Meanwhile, Maryland's public community colleges offer the same nursing credentials with typical debts under $20,000 and stronger salary outcomes.

For Maryland families, the math is stark. Your child could attend a community college nursing program, save $20,000-25,000 in debt, and likely earn $10,000+ more annually. Unless Fortis offers specific advantages around scheduling or program completion that justify the premium, Maryland's community college nursing programs deliver better return on investment for an identical credential.