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Fort Scott Community College
Fort Scott, Kansas · Public community college
Address: 2108 S Horton, Fort Scott, KS 66701 · Phone: (620) 223-2700 · School website ↗ · Verify on College Scorecard ↗
No accreditor sanctions in the last 36 months
Fort Scott Community College is a public trade school in Fort Scott, Kansas, offering CNA classes, welding, and cosmetology programs, accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Per the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, Fort Scott Community College has a 34.9% completion rate, below the Kansas state average of 57.3%, with graduates carrying a median debt of $9,500 and median earnings of $37,213 ten years after entry.
Cost of attendance is not reported in federal data for Fort Scott Community College; contact the school for current tuition. Federal financial aid can be used here, and about 25.3% of students receive Pell Grants.
What these trades pay once you're working
| Occupation | Starting (10th pct) | Median | Experienced (75th) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nursing assistants | $32,180 | $38,010 | $44,170 |
| Welders, cutters, solderers and brazers | $37,790 | $49,410 | $59,200 |
| Hairdressers, hairstylists and cosmetologists | $21,910 | $29,710 | $48,010 |
| Construction laborers | $31,500 | $44,840 | $49,210 |
| HVAC and refrigeration mechanics and installers | $43,660 | $60,460 | $72,830 |
| Emergency medical technicians | $28,560 | $35,780 | $39,060 |
| Manicurists and pedicurists | $21,320 | $30,930 | $37,550 |
| Automotive service technicians and mechanics | $31,970 | $47,790 | $63,000 |
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics wages for everyone employed in the occupation in Kansas (May 2025; national where the state figure is not published). The program table below shows what this campus's own graduates earned in their first year, whatever job they took.
Trade programs at this campus
| Program | Credential | Grads / yr | Earnings, yr 1 | Earnings, yr 2 | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants | Certificate, under 300 hours | 149 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Precision Metal Working | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 47 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Certificate, 1–2 years | 31 | not reported | $13,702 | $4,750 |
| Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician (HAC, HACR, HVAC, HVACR) | Certificate, 1–2 years | 10 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Carpenters | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 8 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 7 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Mason/Masonry | Certificate, 1–2 years | 7 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Associate degree | 6 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 3 | not reported | $13,702 | $4,750 |
| Carpenters | Associate degree | 1 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Certificate, 1–2 years | 1 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Associate degree | 1 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
Earnings are median wages and self-employment income reported to the IRS (W-2 and Schedule SE) for graduates who received federal aid and were working and not enrolled, measured in the calendar year after finishing. They are pay only: health insurance, retirement contributions and other benefits are not included.
Graduates per year from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) 2022-23 Completions survey. Earnings and debt are College Scorecard field-of-study medians for graduates of this program at this campus (reported at the 4-digit program level, so closely related programs share a figure); "not reported" means too few graduates were counted to publish a figure.
About this school
Fort Scott Community College is a public trade and career school in Fort Scott, Kansas, located in a remote town setting. Federal financial aid applies here, since the school participates in Title IV programs. The campus holds accreditation through the Higher Learning Commission and, for its nursing programs, the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing. Its most-awarded programs are CNA classes, welding schools, and cosmetology schools, among 12 total program families that also include construction trades, HVAC, EMT training, nail tech, and auto mechanics.
Federal data shows a completion rate of 34.9%, below the Kansas state average of 57.3%. Graduates carry a median debt of $9,500, and median earnings 10 years after entry are $37,213. About 25.3% of students receive Pell Grants. Annual cost of attendance is not reported for this campus in federal data.
With 271 trade completers out of 693 undergraduate students, this campus leans toward shorter, hands-on certificate paths like CNA and welding rather than long associate-degree tracks, though some of its offerings may lead to associate credentials as well. It may suit career changers looking for practical, short-duration training in a rural setting, but prospective students should confirm program length, schedule, and licensing requirements directly with the school. To verify accreditation and outcomes independently, check the Higher Learning Commission and ACEN listings and review the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard for this campus.
Questions students ask
What trade and career programs does this campus offer?
Fort Scott Community College offers 12 program families including CNA classes, welding schools, cosmetology schools, construction trades, HVAC, EMT training, nail tech, and auto mechanics. The top programs by completions are CNA classes, welding, and cosmetology.
Is this school accredited, and by whom?
Yes, the school is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, with its nursing programs also accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing.
Can I use federal financial aid (FAFSA, Pell Grants) at this school?
Yes, this school participates in Title IV federal financial aid programs. About 25.3% of its students receive Pell Grants.
What share of students finish their program here, and how does that compare to the state?
The completion rate is 34.9%, which is below the Kansas state average of 57.3%.
How much debt do graduates of this school typically carry?
Graduates carry a median debt of $9,500, per federal data.
What do graduates of this school earn?
Median earnings 10 years after entry are $37,213, per federal data.
How much does it cost to attend for a year?
Annual cost of attendance is not reported for this campus in federal data; contact the school directly at (620) 223-2700 or visit its website for current tuition figures.
Is this a public, non-profit, or for-profit school, and why does that matter?
This is a public school, which typically means lower tuition for state residents and eligibility for state as well as federal funding sources.
How long do the programs here take to complete?
Specific program lengths are not reported in this data; contact the school to confirm schedules for individual programs like CNA or welding.
How do I verify this school's accreditation and outcomes myself?
You can confirm accreditation status through the Higher Learning Commission and ACEN, and review outcome data on the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard at https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?155098.
Is this school a good fit for an adult changing careers?
The campus offers short, hands-on programs like CNA and welding that may suit adults seeking practical retraining, though specific scheduling and format details are not reported here; contact the school to confirm fit.
How do I contact the school or apply?
You can reach Fort Scott Community College at (620) 223-2700 or through its website, https://www.fortscott.edu/.
How does this campus compare with other schools offering the same trade nearby?
This data does not include comparisons with other schools; check the College Scorecard to compare completion rates, costs, and earnings across nearby institutions.
Data: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) 2022-23 Completions survey; College Scorecard June 2026; Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs (DAPIP), September 2026. Figures are the U.S. Department of Education's official measures, not Career Training Path's opinion. Tuition, schedules and program availability change — confirm with the school before enrolling.