Concorde Career College: Programs, Costs & Career Outcomes

Concorde Career College is a for-profit institution specializing in healthcare and technical career training through diploma and associate degree programs. The school operates at multiple campus locations across the United States, primarily focusing on accelerated training pathways designed to get students into the workforce quickly rather than pursuing traditional four-year degrees.

Unlike universities such as Boston University, which emphasize broad liberal arts education alongside career preparation, Concorde Career College operates on a different model: shorter programs (often 6 months to 2 years), lower sticker prices, and direct job placement support. This makes it attractive to working adults, career-changers, and students seeking hands-on training in fields like nursing, dental assisting, and HVAC.

However, the for-profit model carries important tradeoffs. Accreditation varies by location and program, so research your specific campus carefully. Federal student loan eligibility differs from nonprofit institutions, and some employers prioritize graduates from accredited universities for advancement.

Concorde's program catalog centers on healthcare and technical trades:

Healthcare Programs (most common)

• Nursing Assistant/CNA certification
• Medical Assistant diploma
• Phlebotomy technician
• EKG technician
• Licensed Practical Nursing (LPN) diploma
• Registered Nursing (RN) associate degree (varies by campus)

• HVAC technician
• Electrical technician
• Welding
• Automotive technology

Most programs run 6-18 months of full-time study, far shorter than traditional BU-style four-year programs. This accelerated format appeals to students who need to enter the job market quickly, but it also means less time for foundational coursework and general education.

A key consideration: shorter programs may limit your ability to pivot careers later. If you complete a CNA diploma and later want to become a nurse practitioner, you'll need to pursue additional education—sometimes requiring you to start over academically rather than building on an associate or bachelor's degree.

Accreditation is where Concorde's legitimacy gets murky. The Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC) accredits some Concorde campuses, but not all. This matters enormously:

Why accreditation matters:

• Federal financial aid eligibility (Pell Grants, student loans) requires accreditation
• Employer recognition varies—some fields (nursing, HVAC) have clear licensure paths; others are murkier
• Transfer credits to other institutions are difficult without regional accreditation
• Consumer protections and oversight differ significantly

Program-specific licensure (like nursing board exams) is separate from institutional accreditation. You can graduate from an ACCSC-accredited program and still pass your nursing license exam—but if the school isn't accredited, you may not qualify for federal student loans to pay for it.

Before enrolling, verify:

1. Is your specific campus accredited? (Check ACCSC.org directly)
2. Does the program lead to state licensure, or just a certificate?
3. What percentage of graduates pass licensing exams?
4. Are credits transferable if you change paths?

Compare this to Boston University's institutional accreditation, which carries universal recognition across employers, graduate schools, and other universities.

Concorde's major marketing angle is affordability—program costs typically range from $12,000 to $35,000 depending on program length and campus. This is substantially lower than BU's annual tuition of ~$70,000.

Typical cost breakdown:

• CNA/medical assistant programs: $12,000–$18,000
• LPN programs: $25,000–$35,000
• Program materials, textbooks, uniforms: often included or bundled

• Federal Pell Grants (don't need to be repaid)
• Federal student loans (unsubsidized, higher interest rates than federal parent loans)
• Some state vocational grants

Non-accredited campuses cannot access federal aid, leaving you to finance through private loans, employer sponsorship, or out-of-pocket.

Hidden costs to research:

• Some campuses charge per-credit tuition rather than flat program fees
• Licensing exam fees (CNA, NCLEX) are separate
• Background check, drug screening, immunizations
• Some programs require clinical rotations that aren't included in the listed price

This is where you need to ask hard questions. For-profit colleges are required to disclose job placement rates, but definitions vary:

What schools report:

• "Employment within 6 months of graduation" sounds impressive, but includes part-time work in unrelated fields
• Some schools count students who never held the credential-specific job as "employed"
• Placement rates vary wildly by program and campus (80% for nursing vs. 40% for trades, sometimes)

1. What's the program-specific placement rate? (Not blended across all programs)
2. Of those placed, what's the average starting salary?
3. What percentage work in the field their credential targets?
4. How many pass licensing exams on the first attempt? (Compare to state averages—if CNA pass rate is 70% but state average is 85%, that's a red flag)
5. Does the school have employer partnerships, or is placement just a resume service?

• Schools won't share specific data or ask you to "call the admissions office"
• Placement rates above 95% (statistically unrealistic)
• No mention of starting salaries

Healthcare fields (nursing, dental assisting) have clearer job markets and higher placement success than trades. Research the specific program, not just the school brand.

Concorde isn't your only path to career training. Here's how it stacks up:

Community colleges (often better value)

• Regionally accredited (credits transfer freely)
• CNA, LPN, nursing programs at similar or lower cost
• Broader program variety (not just healthcare/trades)
• Access to federal aid with stronger protections
• Example: Many community colleges offer CNA programs for $3,000–$8,000
• Downside: Longer programs (often 2 years), less job placement support

• Bachelor's degrees in nursing, health sciences, engineering
• Broader earning potential and career flexibility
• Institutional aid and scholarship options
• Graduate school eligibility
• Downside: Higher cost, longer time to degree, less specialized job training

• Many hospitals, healthcare systems, and trade unions sponsor training
• You earn while learning (apprenticeships)
• Often no student debt
• Guaranteed job placement (they hired you to train)
• Downside: Geographic limitations, employer lock-in periods

• Shorter, cheaper, sometimes more flexible
• Quality and legitimacy vary wildly—only consider accredited providers