<h4 id="section---Pros">Pros</h4> <ul><li>The graduation rate is about six percentage points higher than the national average </li><li>Student-to-faculty ratio is 10:1, which is less than the national average for comparable schools </li><li>Offers placement services for graduates </li></ul><h4 id="section---Cons">Cons</h4> <ul><li>Tuition cost is $9,025 higher than average for comparable schools </li><li>Limited number of academic programs </li><li>Does not accept alternative credits </li></ul><h3 id="section---RankingsAndSchoolAnalysis">Rankings and School Analysis</h3> <p>Fortis College - Norfolk primarily offers diploma-based programs, though it does provide an associate's degree in nursing. Some program options include massage therapy, dental and medical assisting, pharmacy technology and medical office administration. It also offers a certification program in Microsoft network technology. Fortis College also provides non-credit continuing education courses, such as Basic Life Support for Healthcare Providers (BLS) and Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS). </p> <p>Fortis College has an open admissions policy, meaning you only need to have a high school diploma or GED in order to qualify for enrollment. Though Fortis College is easier to get into than schools with strict admissions policies, tuition is higher than the national average. The National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) reported that tuition for the 2012-2013 school year was $24,085. This is higher than the national average for for-profit schools, which was reported by College Board to be $15,060 in that same year. </p> <p>However, at 10:1, the student-to-faculty ratio at Fortis College - Norfolk is lower than the national average of 11:1 for private schools. Additionally, of students who began their studies at Fortis College in 2009, 46% graduated within 'normal time' for their programs, which is higher than the national average of 40%. </p> <h2 id="section---GettingInFinancialAidAtFortisCollege">Getting in &amp; Financial Aid at Fortis College</h2> <p>To apply at Fortis College, you must fill out an application online or in person. Help is available through online chat or by phone, and you can request more information online. For most programs, you must have a high school diploma or equivalent. </p> <p>Fortis College offers financial aid to help pay for your schooling, such as federal loans, grants and payment plans. You must fill out a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to determine your eligibility. </p> <p /> <table border="1"><tr><th>Application &amp; Tuition Info</th><th /></tr> <tr><td><i>Application Fee (2012-2013)</i></td><td> $75*</td></tr> <tr><td><i>Tuition and Fees (2012-2013)</i></td><td> $24,085*</td></tr> <tr><td><i>Average Grant or Scholarship Aid (2011-2012)</i></td><td> $4,415*</td></tr> <tr><td><i>Student Loan Default Rate (2009)</i></td><td> 8.7%*</td></tr> </table><h3 id="section---LifeAtFortisCollege">Life at Fortis College</h3> <p>Fortis College is a commuter campus, meaning all students live off campus. The school is relatively small, with less than 400 students and no sports teams or extracurricular activities. If you need help finding employment after graduation, Fortis College provides placement services for graduates. </p> <p /> <table border="1"><tr><th>Student Life Info</th><th /></tr> <tr><td><i>Campus Setting</i></td><td> Midsize city*</td></tr> <tr><td><i>Student Population (2012)</i></td><td> 392*</td></tr> <tr><td><i>Male-to-Female Student Ratio (2012)</i></td><td> 9% to 91%*</td></tr> <tr><td><i>% of Full Time Students (2012)</i></td><td> 100%*</td></tr> <tr><td><i>% of In-State Students (2012)</i></td><td> 100%*</td></tr> <tr><td><i>Retention Rate (2011-2012)</i></td><td> 60%*</td></tr> <tr><td><i>Campus Housing Available</i></td><td> No</td></tr> </table><p><i>Source: *NCES College Navigator</i> </p> <h3 id="section---SchoolContactInformation">School Contact Information</h3> <ul><li><i>Address:</i> 6300 Center Drive, Suite 100, Norfolk, VA 23502 </li><li><i>Phone:</i>&nbsp; (757) 499-5447</li></ul>