Fortis College-Orange Park

The college specializes in short-term, career-oriented programs, particularly in healthcare and skilled trades. Its most prominent offerings include:

• Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services (the top major)
• Nursing (LPN and RN pathways)
• Dental Assisting

Programs emphasize hands-on training, with curricula designed to align with industry certifications. The academic calendar follows an 'other academic year-based' system (not traditional semesters), typical of vocational schools. Fortis is accredited by the Florida Association of Post-Secondary Schools and Colleges, though its catalog notes that some programs may have additional accreditation requirements.

With 327 undergraduates in a suburban setting, Fortis-Orange Park has a commuter-campus vibe, attracting a mix of recent high school graduates and adult career changers. Social life revolves around program cohorts rather than traditional college activities. The school highlights cultural events (like LPN graduation celebrations) and vocational milestones on social media, but there’s little evidence of Greek life, athletics, or residential amenities.

• Demographics: Students are often balancing work and family obligations alongside studies.
• Community: Facebook and TikTok posts showcase tight-knit program groups, particularly in nursing, where students celebrate clinical rotations and licensure exams together.

Graduation and earnings data reflect the challenges of its student population:

• Graduation Rate: Ranges from 35% (2021 cohort) to 48.7% (varies by reporting source)
• Median Debt at Graduation: $9,500
• Median Earnings (10 Years Post-Graduation): $28,506

Completion rates are calculated for full-time students, but many attendees juggle part-time enrollment with work. The college discloses licensure exam results for programs like nursing, though specific pass rates aren’t detailed in public sources. Alumni typically enter mid-skill healthcare roles (e.g., medical assistants, LPNs) rather than higher-wage professions.

Tuition and fees are $43,017 annually, though 79% of students receive grants or scholarships, reducing the average net price?Net priceWhat a family actually pays after grants and scholarships are subtracted from the sticker price — usually far less than the published cost. to $23,817. Financial aid packages average $6,819, but some reports suggest higher net costs (up to $36,412). The school offers federal aid counseling but lacks a no-loan policy or full-need financial aid guarantees common at elite institutions.

• Net Price Calculator: Available to estimate individualized costs, with 75% of full-time beginners receiving aid.

Fortis-Orange Park fills a niche for rapid workforce entry in Florida’s healthcare and trades sectors. Its open admissions policy and 100% acceptance rate provide access to students who might not qualify for traditional colleges, while its suburban location near Jacksonville offers clinical rotation opportunities. However, the low graduation rates and modest earnings outcomes underscore its vocational focus—it’s a pragmatic choice for certificate seekers, not a pathway to high-earning professions. The TikTok-friendly celebrations of student milestones (like pinning ceremonies) reveal a culture that prioritizes vocational pride over collegiate tradition.