
Orlando, FLprivate forprofitconcorde.edu
Concorde Career Institute-Orlando is a trade school laser-focused on fast-tracking students into healthcare careers, with a 90% acceptance rate and programs designed for quick entry into fields like dental assisting and medical technology. While its urban Orlando campus offers a no-frills, career-centric environment, the school's outcomes—including a 64% graduation rate and median earnings of $36,427 post-graduation—reflect its pragmatic approach to vocational training.
Concorde Career Institute-Orlando is decidedly not selective, with a 90% acceptance rate (down slightly from 90.79% in recent years). The school received 163 undergraduate applications in 2023, admitting 148 students, and emphasizes accessibility over competitive metrics—SAT/ACT scores are optional, and there’s no published GPA range for admitted students. The admissions process appears streamlined for career-changers and non-traditional students, with no mention of essays or recommendation letters in available sources.
Concorde specializes in short-term, career-focused healthcare programs, offering over 20 options like Dental Assisting, Medical Office Administration, and Surgical Technology. Programs are designed to be completed in under two years, with diplomas and associate degrees emphasizing hands-on training. The curriculum is tightly aligned with industry demands—no liberal arts distractions here. However, a Reddit thread hints at critiques of the ‘quick degree’ model, with one user noting graduates may land jobs faster but face challenges with debt and career mobility.
Life at Concorde-Orlando is lean and utilitarian, with 145 undergraduates in an urban setting. The campus hosts holiday events like pancake breakfasts and Black History Month spotlights, but social life seems secondary to coursework. Instagram posts show a functional environment with benches for lunch breaks and VIP tours offered daily. This isn’t a ‘college experience’ school—it’s a place to clock in, train, and clock out.
The two-year graduation rate is 41%, climbing to 64% by year four—typical for trade schools where many students complete programs early. Median earnings one year post-graduation are $36,427, though a 2018 report alleged Concorde inflated job placement stats. Retention rates hover around 25%, suggesting some students struggle to persist. The school touts its focus on ‘in-demand’ fields, but outcomes data lacks transparency about long-term career growth.
Tuition after aid averages $32,030, with $5,537 in average annual aid per student. Federal financial aid covers most costs—85.7% of Concorde’s revenue comes from federal aid and military benefits, per a 2018 report. Scholarships like the Working Student Scholarship target non-traditional learners. The Net priceWhat a family actually pays after grants and scholarships are subtracted from the sticker price — usually far less than the published cost. calculator warns estimates aren’t binding, and the true cost likely varies by program length.
Concorde-Orlando is unapologetically vocational—a trade school that doesn’t pretend to be a college. Its 90% acceptance rate and fast-track programs cater to career-switchers who need credentials fast, not a traditional undergraduate experience. The urban Orlando location provides access to healthcare job markets, and the school’s focus on federal aid accessibility makes it a pragmatic choice for low-income students. Just don’t expect football games or philosophy electives.



