Health and Medical Administrative Services at Fortis Institute

Fortis Institute's medical administrative certificate graduates start at $23,887—about $4,000 below other Texas programs and $6,000 behind the state's top performers. While this lands them below half of Texas programs in the same field, the $13,000 in debt is relatively manageable, requiring just over six months of the first year's salary to repay.

The earnings picture does improve meaningfully over time, with graduates seeing a 23% bump to $29,356 by year four. That's solid growth for a certificate program, though the starting point remains the concern. With three-quarters of students receiving Pell grants, Fortis serves a population that needs quick workforce entry, and the debt load won't be crushing. But Houston-area community colleges like San Jacinto are producing graduates who earn $10,000 more annually right out of the gate—for less money.

For families comparing options, this comes down to access and alternatives. If your student can get into one of the higher-performing programs in the area, that's a better financial bet. If Fortis is the most accessible option due to location or admissions, the debt level won't trap your graduate, but they'll be climbing from a lower starting position than their peers at other Texas schools.