Medical Assisting at Fortis College-Richmond

Richmond, VA · Private for-profit · Certificate · Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services

with a smaller student body of 399 in Richmond, VA.

Program Analysis

Starting salaries of $23,035/yr fall 27% below the $31,622 national median for Medical Assisting. The financial case depends heavily on whether tuition compensates.

Every dollar of tuition returns an estimated 18.3x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Medical Assisting programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Medical Assisting's career paths, with 28% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 13% gap from the optimistic case.

At $9,500 in median debt against $23,035 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance quickly — a hallmark of affordable trade programs.

Ranked #1018 of 1,065 Medical Assisting programs, Fortis College-Richmond falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Five-year earnings of $26,938 are relatively flat compared to the $23,035 starting salary — typical of trades with stable but capped salary bands.

Medical Assisting offers 11 registered apprenticeship pathways — an unusually broad set of earn-while-you-learn alternatives to the classroom track.

46 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
42
Low End
46
Score
47
High End
Earnings $23,035/yr (-27% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (72% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (252,100 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$276K
4.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple
18.4x
10-year earnings ÷ tuition
Viable Career Paths
9 of 9
Occupations with strong AI resilience

Projected 10-Year Earnings

Based on actual graduate salary data and Bureau of Labor Statistics growth projections.

Program Tuition
$14,986
Median Debt at Graduation
$9,500
4.9 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$26,938
17% growth from Year 1

Top Career Paths

Top career paths for Medical Assisting graduates by median salary.

Career Path Median Salary Growth AI-ProofAI
Health specialties teachers, postsecondary $105,620 +17.3% 52%
Occupational therapy assistants $68,340 +19.2% 73%
Physical therapist assistants $65,510 +22.0% 85%
Health specialties teachers, postsecondary
$105,620
+17.3% growth 52% AI-proof
Occupational therapy assistants
$68,340
+19.2% growth 73% AI-proof
Physical therapist assistants
$65,510
+22.0% growth 85% AI-proof

View all 9 career paths with full salary data →

Medical Assisting Career Guide

See the full career breakdown for Medical Assisting — job titles, salary ranges, and growth projections for graduates from Fortis College-Richmond and 1064 other schools.

Read the full Medical Assisting career guide →

Compare & Explore

Medical Assisting Overview

Medical Assisting at Other Schools

Other Majors at Fortis College-Richmond

Considering a 4-Year Degree Instead?

Compare how bachelor's degree graduates fare on earnings, ROI, and AI resilience.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the TradeSchoolOutlook Score for Medical Assisting at Fortis College-Richmond?
This program scores 46/100 — on the lower end for Medical Assisting. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
Is Fortis College-Richmond a good choice for Medical Assisting despite lower starting pay?
First-year earnings trail the national median, but starting salary isn't the full picture. Regional cost of living, career trajectory, and tuition cost all factor in. Check the five-year earnings data when available.
Are there apprenticeship options for Medical Assisting?
If Fortis College-Richmond's tuition gives you pause, consider that 11 DOL-registered apprenticeship pathways exist for Medical Assisting. You'd earn while training, avoiding student debt entirely — though completion takes longer than a certificate program.
Is there demand for Medical Assisting workers?
Job availability for Medical Assisting is strong — 252,100 positions open annually across the mapped career paths. For Fortis College-Richmond graduates specifically, local market conditions in VA may shift the picture.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →