Dental Support Services and Allied Professions at Fortis Institute-Wayne

Fortis Institute-Wayne's dental support program produces some of the highest early earnings in the country—graduates start at over $70,000, placing them in the 95th percentile nationally. That's impressive on its face, but the $32,500 debt load is nearly 70% higher than what students at other New Jersey programs typically carry. Bergen Community College, for example, produces graduates earning $62,000 with presumably lower debt at a community college price point.

The 60th percentile ranking within New Jersey tells you something important: this isn't the most valuable dental support program in the state, despite the higher sticker price. You're paying significantly more to reach earnings that several other NJ schools achieve at lower cost. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.46 remains manageable—graduates should be able to handle the payments—but you need to ask whether an extra $10,000-15,000 in debt is worth a modest earnings premium over programs like Bergen or Middlesex.

For families where Pell eligibility (73% of students here) meaningfully reduces the out-of-pocket cost, this program makes more sense. If you're paying full freight, though, you're likely overpaying for outcomes that New Jersey's community colleges can deliver at a fraction of the cost. The strong earnings are real, but so are cheaper paths to similar results.