Concorde Career Institute-Tampa

Every program at Concorde-Tampa is laser-focused on healthcare vocations, with dental hygiene being the most popular (48 degrees awarded annually). The curriculum is all business: accelerated diploma and associate degree programs that prioritize clinical skills over theory. Students describe the workload as "the hardest thing I've ever done" but praise the supportive faculty. Unlike traditional colleges, there are no electives or general education requirements—just 600+ hours of hands-on training in fields like sonography and surgical technology, often with externships at Tampa-area hospitals.

With only 132 students, campus life revolves around tight-knit cohorts rather than traditional college socializing. The school leans into healthcare culture—think pinning ceremonies for sonography graduates and scrubs-as-uniforms. Instagram posts show students celebrating milestones with families and instructors rather than frat parties. While there's no dorms or sports teams, the administration actively fosters camaraderie through campus events and peer support networks. As the Director of Student Affairs puts it: "We encourage students to become part of the Concorde family, not just attend classes." Most students juggle coursework with jobs, often squeezing in study sessions between shifts at Tampa hospitals.

The numbers tell a pragmatic story: 61% of students graduate (higher than many for-profits), and median earnings one year out are $28,771—about 21% below the national average for associate degree holders. The full-time retention rate is a solid 86%, suggesting students who stick past the first term tend to persist. However, a 2018 report raised questions about job placement claims, noting discrepancies between advertised and actual employment rates. For the right student—someone seeking a quick entry into mid-skilled healthcare roles—the ROI can make sense, especially given the accelerated timelines (some programs take under a year).

The sticker shock is real—Concorde-Tampa's net price?Net priceWhat a family actually pays after grants and scholarships are subtracted from the sticker price — usually far less than the published cost. averages $24,449 after aid, with 74% of students receiving grants or scholarships. Unlike nonprofit schools, nearly all revenue (85.7%) comes from federal aid and military benefits. The financial aid office emphasizes "academic discipline" scholarships, but students should scrutinize loan terms carefully. For context, the average aid package is $4,907, leaving many to cover $20K+ through loans or out-of-pocket. It's a steep price for short programs, though the school argues the accelerated timeline saves long-term costs compared to community college routes.

Concorde-Tampa fills a specific niche: no-nonsense career training for students who want to bypass traditional college experiences. Its superpower is speed—turning out job-ready dental hygienists and sonographers in as little as 8 months—but that intensity isn't for everyone. The gender imbalance (5:1 female-to-male ratio) creates a unique dynamic, with many students being older women re-entering the workforce. While earnings lag bachelor's degrees, the barrier-to-entry is lower, and Tampa's growing healthcare sector needs these mid-skilled roles. Just know what you're signing up for: this is trade school, not a university, with all the focused intensity that implies.