
Miramar, FLprivate forprofitconcorde.edu
Concorde Career Institute-Miramar is a hyper-focused trade school in South Florida where nearly every applicant gets in (99.6% acceptance rate) to train for hands-on healthcare careers like respiratory therapy and dental assisting. With a no-frills, vocational approach, it delivers quick entry into mid-tier medical support roles—graduates typically earn around $27,300 annually—but faces challenges with a 25% graduation rate and a student-faculty ratio of 33:1.
Getting into Concorde-Miramar is about as competitive as walking through an open door—the school boasts a 99.6% acceptance rate, with 240 of 241 applicants admitted in 2024. Unlike traditional colleges, there's no mention of SAT/ACT requirements or deferred admission policies; the focus is squarely on vocational readiness. The $100 application fee is the main hurdle, though admissions reps emphasize personalized guidance through the process. One Yelp reviewer notes the dental assistant program 'challenged me but prepared me for the real world,' suggesting the barrier isn't entry but completion.
This is a single-purpose institution where every major orbits healthcare: respiratory therapy, physical therapy assistance, and medical assisting dominate the curriculum. The Carnegie Classification tags it as 'Higher Access, Medium Earnings,' reflecting its mission to serve non-traditional students seeking practical skills. Labs filled with medical equipment (per Instagram posts) and a 'supportive atmosphere' are selling points, but the 33:1 student-faculty ratio—far above the national average for vocational schools—hints at crowded classrooms. Programs lean heavily on hands-on training; one dental assistant graduate praised how it 'prepared me professionally,' though academic rigor appears variable.
Don't expect frat parties or dorm life—this is a commuter campus where students zip in for classes and clinical training. Social glue comes from shared lab struggles (Instagram shows students mastering medical instruments) and holiday events like pancake breakfasts. The vibe is workmanlike, with benches for lunch breaks serving as de facto lounges. Reviews highlight camaraderie among career-changers: 'The friendships made along the way' get shoutouts, but there's no mention of clubs or athletics. For students juggling jobs and families, the lack of residential distractions may be a feature, not a bug.
The numbers tell a mixed story: graduates report median earnings of $27,300 (per College Scorecard), roughly 25% below the national average for associate degree holders. The 25% graduation rate—half the Florida average for two-year schools—suggests many struggle to complete programs. However, those who persist often land in healthcare support roles quickly; the dental assistant program touts real-world readiness. Debt levels aren't disclosed, but with tuition after aid around $25,414, ROI hinges on entering the workforce fast—this isn't a path to six-figure salaries, but steady paychecks in Florida's booming medical sector.
Tuition sits at $25,414 after average aid packages of $4,631, though Net priceWhat a family actually pays after grants and scholarships are subtracted from the sticker price — usually far less than the published cost. calculators warn estimates aren't binding. Concorde offers niche scholarships like the $2,000 Working Student Scholarship (capped at 500 students yearly), targeting adults balancing jobs and studies. Military discounts are promoted, but details are sparse. Unlike traditional colleges, there's no room/board line item—this is strictly an in-and-out educational investment. One red flag: no transparency on default rates or long-term debt burdens, critical for programs where a quarter of students don't graduate.
Concorde-Miramar is the anti-liberal-arts college—a stripped-down, pragmatic training ground for Florida's healthcare workforce. Its near-open admissions (99.6% acceptance) and vocational focus attract career-changers who'd flounder at a traditional school, but the 33:1 faculty ratio and 25% graduation rate reveal systemic strains. For students clear-eyed about entering mid-tier medical roles, it offers a faster, cheaper path than community college—just don't expect the safety net or prestige of broader institutions. As one graduate put it: 'Truly life-changing' for those who stick it out.



