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Amarillo College vs Fortis College: which has better ROI?

Public, Amarillo TX · vs · Private for-profit, Houston TX

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Amarillo College comes closer — median earnings $41,302 against a $9,200 total, vs $33,193 at Fortis College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureAmarillo CollegeFortis College
Net price / yr$4,600$27,964
Total net cost$9,200$111,856
Median earnings, 10 yrs$41,302$33,193
Median debt$15,000$9,500
Payback
20-year net return-$150,360-$415,196

College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.

Which is cheaper, Amarillo College or Fortis College?

Amarillo College, at $4,600 a year after aid versus $27,964 — a gap of $23,364 a year, or $102,656 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Amarillo College or Fortis College graduates earn more?

Amarillo College graduates report a median $41,302 ten years after entry, $8,109 more than the $33,193 at Fortis College. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.

Which leaves students with less debt, Amarillo College or Fortis College?

Fortis College: its completers carry a median $9,500 in federal loans versus $15,000 at Amarillo College, a difference of $5,500. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

64% of students finish at Fortis College, against 32% at Amarillo College. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.

Amarillo College vs Fortis College: frequently asked questions

Is Amarillo College or Fortis College a better value?
Amarillo College comes closer, but neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings — the field you study decides it here more than the school.
Which is cheaper, Amarillo College or Fortis College?
Amarillo College: $4,600/yr net price after aid versus $27,964/yr at Fortis College — a difference of $23,364 a year, or about $102,656 over four years.
Do Amarillo College or Fortis College graduates earn more?
Amarillo College graduates earn a median $41,302 ten years after entry, versus $33,193 at Fortis College — a $8,109 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.