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Galen College of Nursing-Cincinnati vs Ohio State University-Lima Campus: which has better ROI?

Private for-profit, Cincinnati OH · vs · Public, Lima OH

The verdict

Ohio State University-Lima Campus has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $51,760 in 4.3 years versus 4.4 years at Galen College of Nursing-Cincinnati, on median earnings of $60,409 vs $61,480 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureGalen College of Nursing-CincinnatiOhio State University-Lima Campus
Net price / yr$28,785$12,940
Total net cost$57,570$51,760
Median earnings, 10 yrs$61,480$60,409
Median debt$24,166$19,976
Payback4.4 yrs4.3 yrs
20-year net return$204,830$189,220

College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.

Which is cheaper, Galen College of Nursing-Cincinnati or Ohio State University-Lima Campus?

Ohio State University-Lima Campus, at $12,940 a year after aid versus $28,785 — a gap of $15,845 a year, or $5,810 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Galen College of Nursing-Cincinnati or Ohio State University-Lima Campus graduates earn more?

Galen College of Nursing-Cincinnati graduates report a median $61,480 ten years after entry, $1,071 more than the $60,409 at Ohio State University-Lima Campus. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.

Which leaves students with less debt, Galen College of Nursing-Cincinnati or Ohio State University-Lima Campus?

Ohio State University-Lima Campus: its completers carry a median $19,976 in federal loans versus $24,166 at Galen College of Nursing-Cincinnati, a difference of $4,190. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

57% of students finish at Galen College of Nursing-Cincinnati, against 23% at Ohio State University-Lima Campus. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.

Galen College of Nursing-Cincinnati vs Ohio State University-Lima Campus: frequently asked questions

Is Galen College of Nursing-Cincinnati or Ohio State University-Lima Campus a better value?
Ohio State University-Lima Campus. It clears its $51,760 net cost in about 4.3 years versus 4.4 years at Galen College of Nursing-Cincinnati, on median earnings of $60,409 vs $61,480 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, Galen College of Nursing-Cincinnati or Ohio State University-Lima Campus?
Ohio State University-Lima Campus: $12,940/yr net price after aid versus $28,785/yr at Galen College of Nursing-Cincinnati — a difference of $15,845 a year, or about $5,810 over four years.
Do Galen College of Nursing-Cincinnati or Ohio State University-Lima Campus graduates earn more?
Galen College of Nursing-Cincinnati graduates earn a median $61,480 ten years after entry, versus $60,409 at Ohio State University-Lima Campus — a $1,071 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.