Medical Assisting at Fortis Institute-Cookeville

Cookeville, TN · Private for-profit · Certificate · Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services

a compact campus enrolling 301 students in Cookeville, TN.

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $25,883 place Fortis Institute-Cookeville below the $31,622 national median for Medical Assisting — worth weighing against tuition and cost of living.

Every dollar of tuition returns an estimated 19.9x 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 7% gap from the optimistic case.

With first-year pay of $25,883 far exceeding the $9,500 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

Ranked #987 of 1,065 Medical Assisting programs, Fortis Institute-Cookeville falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Five-year earnings of $28,737 are relatively flat compared to the $25,883 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.

48 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
45
Low End
48
Score
49
High End
Earnings $25,883/yr (-18% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (72% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (252,100 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$292K
2.6% annual growth
Earnings Multiple
19.9x
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
$14,644
Median Debt at Graduation
$9,500
4.4 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$28,737
11% 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 Institute-Cookeville 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 Institute-Cookeville

Explore the Degree Alternative

Not sure if a trade program or four-year degree fits better? Compare both paths.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 48/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Medical Assisting at Fortis Institute-Cookeville?
At 48/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Medical Assisting programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.
Why are Medical Assisting earnings lower at Fortis Institute-Cookeville?
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.
Can I learn Medical Assisting through an apprenticeship instead of Fortis Institute-Cookeville?
Yes — 11 registered apprenticeship programs are mapped to Medical Assisting career paths, including Ambulance Attendant (Emt). Apprenticeships offer paid on-the-job training as an alternative or complement to a program at Fortis Institute-Cookeville.
What's the job market like for Medical Assisting from Fortis Institute-Cookeville?
The very large job market (252,100 annual openings) works in favor of Medical Assisting graduates. The national outlook is driven by an aging population and expanding healthcare access, though regional variation matters.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →