Fortis College-Cutler Bay

Student life revolved around the shared mission of career preparation, not a traditional collegiate experience. The student body was overwhelmingly full-time (94.8%), indicating a population of serious, focused students, many likely balancing work and family commitments. The college explicitly catered to a mix of recent high school grads, career changers, and lifelong learners. Social media glimpses show a close-knit, supportive environment where staff were celebrated for going "above and beyond" for students. A Yelp review praised the "amazing staff" and "great work environment," noting the Cutler Bay location was accessible to people who live in the south of the Miami area. The vibe was that of a professional training center more than a residential campus.

Outcomes data paints a mixed picture of the institution's effectiveness. Graduation rates are reported variably: 48% (Niche), 48.4% (Trade Colleges), 60% (College Scorecard), and a four-year graduation rate of 36% (College Factual). These figures, while disparate, generally sit near or above the midpoint for two-year colleges. Post-graduate earnings are a key metric. According to the CANONICAL FIGURES, the median earnings 10 years after entry are $34,726. Other sources cite earnings one year after graduation at $37,788 (Niche) and a post-graduation earnings figure of $34,726 (College Factual). The College Scorecard notes the college achieved a 61.2% overall completion rate and supported working students with a 57.3% success rate.

Costs at Fortis were significant for a two-year institution, but financial aid was widely available. The average net price after aid is $22,393 (CANONICAL FIGURE and College Scorecard). Other estimates include $26,089 (BigFuture, Kollegio.ai) and $24,563 (Trade Colleges). The sticker price for tuition and fees was reported as $13,171 (Trade Colleges) and $18,732 (Kollegio.ai). Aid packages were common, with an average aid package of $5,696. Institutional grants and scholarships reached 58% of first-year students, averaging $614, while 92% received Federal Pell Grants, averaging $7,168. The school emphasized that financial aid is available to those who qualify and that it was an eligible institution under Title IV federal programs. It offered a Net Price Calculator for prospective students and tailored tuition financing plans.

Fortis College-Cutler Bay stood out for its unambiguous, transactional mission: to rapidly train students, particularly from South Miami-Dade County, for specific roles in the healthcare sector. It didn't pretend to be a traditional college. Its open admissions policy (100% acceptance rate) and high concentration of full-time students reflected a clientele seeking direct, uncomplicated entry into career education. The environment was praised for supportive staff and accessibility, but the high net price relative to typical community colleges and variable graduation outcomes highlighted the trade-offs of the for-profit trade school model. Its ultimate distinction, however, is its current status: it no longer enrolls new students, serving as a case study in the volatile landscape of career-oriented, proprietary education.