For-Profit Private
Accredited · Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools
Norfolk, Virginia
Fortis College-Norfolk — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
$35,941Annual Cost
$32,754Grad Salary
66.2%Pell Grant
Selectivity
Open Enrollment
Institution Type
For-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools
SAT Middle 50%
-40–30
Need-Based Aid
66.2% receive Pell
Fortis College-Norfolk is a career-oriented private institution that provides fast-paced, hands-on training for high-demand professional roles, particularly in the healthcare and technical sectors. By prioritizing clinical skills and practical competency, the college prepares students for immediate entry into the workforce with the specific certifications required by local employers. Its streamlined academic model and dedicated career services make it a pragmatic and efficient choice for individuals who need to gain professional expertise and start their careers without delay.
Fortis College-Norfolk Acceptance Rate
Fortis College-Norfolk (Virginia Career Institute) runs an open-access admission policy. With a 100% acceptance rate, the focus is on getting qualified students in, not filtering them out.
What to Expect
- Eligibility First: A high school diploma or GED typically clears the main bar.
- Plan Ahead for Placement: Placement tests can shape which courses you start in. They are worth preparing for.
Selectivity at a Glance
Open Enrollment
Selectivity scale: Open Enrollment — rate not reported
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Slightly below-average GPA? A strong test score or clear leadership track record can still keep you competitive.
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
Fortis College-Norfolk Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
Fortis College-Norfolk follows a Rolling Admissions policy, meaning applications are reviewed as they arrive and there is no single fixed deadline.
Key Admission Dates
Rolling Admissions — Apply Anytime
Virginia Career Institute reviews applications continuously throughout the year. Seats and scholarships are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, so applying early gives you a significant advantage for both admission and financial aid.
Deadlines are verified from official institutional sources but may change each cycle. Always confirm final dates on the official website.
Check Your Admission Chances at Virginia Career Institute
Admission Chance Predictor
Real-Time Sensitive Analysis — based on Fortis College-Norfolk's verified institutional data
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Calculating Profile...
Adjust the sliders to see how every decimal point affects your outcome.
Your SAT Score 1200
Your Unweighted GPA 3.00
⚠️ Note: Predicting based on regional averages as this institution does not publicly report full score datasets.
Calculated via College Portal's Human-Intelligence (HI) Methodology & Editorial Standards. Verified by Sohaib Ahmad Khan.
Fortis College-Norfolk (Virginia Career Institute) Test Requirements
Standardized scores still matter here: aim for the middle 50% range of the 2026 admitted class below, and if Virginia Career Institute is test-optional, a high score submitted voluntarily still helps with merit scholarships.
Can I Get Into Virginia Career Institute Without SAT or ACT?
Virginia Career Institute's test-score policy isn't published. As a default, submit your score only if it's at or above the state/national average — a below-average score can work against you.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for Virginia Career Institute
Inclusive Strategy: Success & Transfer
Getting into Virginia Career Institute is the easy part. What matters next is using placement testing, advising, and available resources to set up a strong first year.
?? CRITICAL: Verify PN Program Status Directly Before Applying - Conditional Approval + ABHES Warning in Effect
The Practical Nursing (PN) program is the primary nursing offering now that the Associate Degree in Nursing (ASN) was closed to new students on November 18, 2025, with Board of Nursing approval withdrawn effective October 31, 2027. The PN program itself carries a "Continued Program Specific Warning" from its accreditor ABHES and a Teach-Out Plan in place. Before spending any application fee or enrollment deposit, call the campus directly at (757) 499-5447 and ask: "Is the PN program currently accepting new students and what is the current status of the ABHES warning?" This is non-negotiable due diligence.
For Medical Assisting and Dental Assisting: Map Your Externship Site Before You Enroll
Medical Assisting and Dental Assisting are the two currently stable programs at Norfolk Fortis. Both are career-entry diplomas that live or die on externship placement quality. Before committing, ask the admissions advisor to name the actual Hampton Roads-area healthcare facilities where current students extern - physician offices, dental clinics, rehabilitation centers. If the advisor cannot name specific sites, that is a red flag. The Hampton Roads medical market (Sentara, Bon Secours Mercy) does hire from local programs; find out if Fortis has active relationships with those employers before you pay tuition.
Pull the NCLEX-PN Pass Rate Disclosure and Read It Before Enrolling in Nursing
Federal regulations require Fortis-Norfolk to publicly post NCLEX-PN pass rates on their consumer information page. Download this PDF before enrolling. NCLEX pass rates below 80% on the first attempt signal serious program quality issues and affect your likelihood of obtaining Virginia licensure after graduation. The nursing programs here are not programmatically accredited by ACEN or CCNE - only by ABHES at the institutional level - which matters for transferability and employer recognition. Go in with eyes open: passing NCLEX is your exit goal, and program pass rates predict your probability of achieving it.
Negotiate Your Start Date Carefully Given the 29% Retention Rate
Fortis-Norfolk's institution-wide retention rate is 29% - meaning roughly 7 in 10 students who start do not complete. This is not necessarily a disqualifier, but it means you must plan for flexibility. Enroll in a cohort whose schedule you can realistically sustain. The school offers rolling starts; healthcare workers and single parents who choose a start date that conflicts with their real schedule often become part of that 71%. Talk to current students, not just admissions staff, about what week-to-week attendance looks like for the PN or allied health programs before committing to a cohort.
Expert Insight:
The Associate Degree in Nursing (ASN) program is closed to new students as of November 18, 2025 - any student who enrolled in or after fall 2025 expecting an ASN at Norfolk Fortis was misled if not clearly told this. The PN program's active ABHES "Continued Program Specific Warning" and Teach-Out Plan means program continuity is not guaranteed beyond the current approved timeline. Do not treat online admissions materials as current - they lag behind regulatory actions. Always verify program status by calling the campus and asking for the current ABHES and Virginia Board of Nursing approval letters.
Virginia Career Institute Profile
Full Name
Fortis College-Norfolk (Virginia Career Institute)
City
Norfolk
State
Virginia
ZIP Code
23502-4101
Type
For-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES)
Is a Virginia Career Institute Degree Worth It?
Whether Virginia Career Institute is worth it depends less on its reputation and more on your program choice, financial aid package, and career goals. Here's the data to weigh it against.
The average household income among admitted students is $46,200, with a graduate unemployment rate of 3.37%.
How much does a degree from Virginia Career Institute Cost?
The sticker price is $35,941/year, but the average net price students actually pay, after Pell and federal grants, is typically much lower.
66.2% of students receive a Pell Grant and 61.9% take federal loans at Virginia Career Institute. File your FAFSA early and list Virginia Career Institute as a choice to be considered for both.
How much does a Virginia Career Institute Graduate earn?
Median earnings 10 years after enrollment (roughly 4–6 years post-graduation) are $32,754. That's somewhat below the U.S. median graduate income of $40,595.
Degree Programs at Virginia Career Institute
Associate Degree Programs
UG Certificate or Diploma Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About Virginia Career Institute Admissions
Median earnings for Fortis College-Norfolk graduates sit around $32,754 a year.
Fortis College-Norfolk costs roughly $35,941 a year, and most students combine this with scholarships or aid.
With 66.2% of Fortis College-Norfolk students on a Pell Grant, need-based aid odds here are strong. An early FAFSA filing naming Fortis College-Norfolk is the key move.
Fortis College-Norfolk follows Rolling Admissions. Applications are reviewed year-round, so applying early is your best strategy.
Yes, transfers are common. Have transcripts, recommendation letters, and a solid personal statement ready to make your case.
Strong academics, a focused extracurricular profile, and standout essays move the needle most, along with a competitive SAT/ACT score where relevant.
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