Fortis Institute-Scranton vs. Pennsylvania Highlands

Comparable Facts

Compare Fortis Institute Scranton in Scranton, PA with Pennsylvania Highlands Community College in Johnstown, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Pennsylvania Highlands Community College is larger than Fortis Institute-Scranton based on total student enrollment (2,501 students vs. 372 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Fortis Institute Scranton is located in Scranton, PA (Small City setting); Pennsylvania Highlands Community College is in Johnstown, PA (Small Suburban setting).
• Fortis Institute Scranton is a private, for-profit 2-year institution. Pennsylvania Highlands Community College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Fortis Institute Scranton 15:1; Pennsylvania Highlands Community College 16:1.

Fortis Institute-Scranton vs. Pennsylvania Highlands Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Fortis Institute-Scranton or Pennsylvania Highlands? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Pennsylvania Highlands Community College than Fortis Institute-Scranton ($5,519 vs. $20,176).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Pennsylvania Highlands Community College are 50.3% lower than at Fortis Institute Scranton ($5,700 vs. $11,475).
• Fortis Institute Scranton is 60.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Pennsylvania Highlands (about $5,808 more per year; $15,348.00 vs. $9,540.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 15% higher at Fortis Institute-Scranton than at Pennsylvania Highlands Community College (about $1,998 more per year; $15,348.00 vs. $13,350.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Fortis Institute Scranton than at Pennsylvania Highlands Community College (86% vs. 75%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Fortis Institute Scranton students is 45.2% larger than aid received by Pennsylvania Highlands Community College students ($9,859 vs. $6,791).

Fortis Institute-Scranton vs. Pennsylvania Highlands Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Fortis Institute-Scranton or Pennsylvania Highlands? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Pennsylvania Highlands and Fortis Institute-Scranton.

• Pennsylvania Highlands Community College reports an open admissions policy.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Fortis Institute-Scranton - Not reported; Pennsylvania Highlands - Open admission.

Fortis Institute-Scranton vs. Pennsylvania Highlands Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Fortis Institute-Scranton and Pennsylvania Highlands? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Graduates from Pennsylvania Highlands Community College earn a median of about $6,400 more per year than Fortis Institute-Scranton graduates about ten years after starting college ($29,000 vs. $22,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Pennsylvania Highlands Community College graduates have a $6,556 lower median loan debt than Fortis Institute-Scranton graduates ($8,068 vs. $14,624).
• Among borrowers, Pennsylvania Highlands graduates have an estimated $68 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Fortis Institute-Scranton graduates ($83 vs. $151).
• More Pennsylvania Highlands graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Fortis Institute-Scranton students, three years after graduation. (51% vs. 30%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.