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

The debt figure here demands attention: $25,881 is more than double what Maryland nursing programs typically carry. While comparable certificate programs nationally suggest first-year earnings around $66,000—a solid foundation for healthcare work—that estimated debt load sits well above both the national median ($23,562) and especially Maryland's benchmark of just $11,261. Chesapeake College's nursing program, for instance, shows graduates earning $72,000 with far less debt burden.

This matters because nursing certificates should be a relatively affordable pathway into healthcare. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.39 isn't catastrophic, but it means graduates would be starting with nearly $6,000 more in loans than their peers at other Maryland schools for similar credentials. With 81% of students receiving Pell grants, this population can least afford to carry unnecessary debt into an already demanding profession.

The uncertainty around these estimates adds another layer of concern. Without actual graduate outcomes from this specific program, you're making an investment decision based on how other programs perform. The safer bet: compare this to Chesapeake College's transparent results and lower debt, or explore other Maryland nursing pathways where you can see real graduate data rather than projections.