Career Training Path › Tennessee › Fortis Institute-Cookeville
Fortis Institute-Cookeville
Cookeville, Tennessee · Private for-profit career college
Address: 1025 Highway 111, Cookeville, TN 38501 · Phone: (931) 526-3660 · School website ↗ · Verify on College Scorecard ↗
No accreditor sanctions in the last 36 months
Fortis Institute-Cookeville is a private for-profit trade school in Cookeville, TN offering medical assistant, HVAC, and pharmacy technician programs, accredited by ACCSC.
Fortis Institute-Cookeville has a 50.0% completion rate, below Tennessee's 64.3% state average, with median graduate debt of $13,000 and median earnings of $34,509 ten years after entry, per the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Cost of attendance is not reported for this campus in federal data. Federal financial aid can be used here, and 78.1% of students receive Pell Grants.
What these trades pay once you're working
| Occupation | Starting (10th pct) | Median | Experienced (75th) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Medical assistants | $34,840 | $39,570 | $45,580 |
| HVAC and refrigeration mechanics and installers | $38,540 | $55,490 | $65,590 |
| Pharmacy technicians | $35,550 | $41,920 | $48,270 |
| Surgical technologists | $47,620 | $60,530 | $64,430 |
| Radiologic technologists and technicians | $50,540 | $64,630 | $78,700 |
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics wages for everyone employed in the occupation in Tennessee (May 2025; national where the state figure is not published). The program table below shows what this campus's own graduates earned in their first year, whatever job they took.
Trade programs at this campus
| Program | Credential | Grads / yr | Earnings, yr 1 | Earnings, yr 2 | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services | Certificate, 1–2 years | 26 | $24,190 | $21,640 | $9,500 |
| Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician (HAC, HACR, HVAC, HVACR) | Certificate, 1–2 years | 15 | $32,690 | $32,818 | $13,000 |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services | Certificate, 1–2 years | 13 | $24,190 | $21,640 | $9,500 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | Associate degree | 8 | $38,008 | $38,289 | not reported |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | Associate degree | 8 | $38,008 | $38,289 | not reported |
Earnings are median wages and self-employment income reported to the IRS (W-2 and Schedule SE) for graduates who received federal aid and were working and not enrolled, measured in the calendar year after finishing. They are pay only: health insurance, retirement contributions and other benefits are not included.
Graduates per year from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) 2022-23 Completions survey. Earnings and debt are College Scorecard field-of-study medians for graduates of this program at this campus (reported at the 4-digit program level, so closely related programs share a figure); "not reported" means too few graduates were counted to publish a figure.
About this school
Fortis Institute-Cookeville is a private for-profit trade school located in Cookeville, Tennessee, a remote-town setting. The campus is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges, with its radiologic technology program additionally reviewed by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology. Federal financial aid, including FAFSA and Pell Grants, can be used here (Title IV eligible). The school offers five program families, most notably medical assistant programs, HVAC schools, and pharmacy technician programs, along with surgical technology and radiologic technology training.
Federal data shows a completion rate of 50.0%, which is below the Tennessee state average of 64.3%. Graduates carry a median debt of $13,000, and median earnings 10 years after entry are reported at $34,509. Cost of attendance is not reported for this campus in federal data. About 78.1% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating a large share of the student body qualifies for federal need-based aid.
This campus may suit students seeking shorter, career-focused programs in healthcare or skilled trades rather than a traditional multi-year degree path; program lengths themselves are not detailed in the data provided, so prospective students should confirm scheduling and duration directly with the school. Before enrolling, verify accreditation status and current outcomes through the ACCSC and the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard, and contact the campus directly for tuition and program-length specifics not covered in federal reporting.
Questions students ask
What trade and career programs does this campus offer?
Fortis Institute-Cookeville offers five program families, led by medical assistant programs, HVAC schools, and pharmacy technician programs, plus surgical technology and radiologic technology.
Is this school accredited, and by whom?
Yes, the school is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges, and its radiologic technology program is also reviewed by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology.
Can I use federal financial aid (FAFSA, Pell Grants) at this school?
Yes, this school is Title IV eligible, meaning students can use FAFSA and Pell Grant funding.
What share of students finish their program here, and how does that compare to the state?
The completion rate is 50.0%, which is below the Tennessee state average of 64.3%.
How much debt do graduates of this school typically carry?
Graduates carry a median debt of $13,000, per federal data.
What do graduates of this school earn?
Median earnings 10 years after entry are $34,509, per the College Scorecard.
How much does it cost to attend for a year?
Cost of attendance is not reported for this campus in federal data; contact the school at (931) 526-3660 or visit fortis.edu for current tuition.
Is this a public, non-profit, or for-profit school, and why does that matter?
Fortis Institute-Cookeville is a private for-profit school, which can affect tuition costs, financial aid packaging, and program pricing compared to public institutions.
How long do the programs here take to complete?
Program lengths are not reported in the data provided; contact the school directly for schedule and duration details.
How do I verify this school's accreditation and outcomes myself?
You can confirm accreditation through ACCSC and review outcome data directly at the College Scorecard: https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?494436.
Is this school a good fit for an adult changing careers?
The data does not specify program formats or schedules for adult learners, so career changers should contact the school directly to discuss fit.
What license or certification will I need after finishing a program here?
Licensing and certification requirements are not reported in this data; contact the school for program-specific credentialing information.
How do I contact the school or apply?
You can reach Fortis Institute-Cookeville at (931) 526-3660 or through its website, https://www.fortis.edu/.
How does this campus compare with other schools offering the same trade nearby?
Comparative data with nearby schools is not included in this listing; use the College Scorecard to compare completion rates, debt, and earnings across campuses.
Data: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) 2022-23 Completions survey; College Scorecard June 2026; Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs (DAPIP), September 2026. Figures are the U.S. Department of Education's official measures, not Career Training Path's opinion. Tuition, schedules and program availability change — confirm with the school before enrolling.