Galen College of Nursing-Louisville vs Bellarmine University: which has better ROI?
Galen College of Nursing-Louisville has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $74,160 in 5.7 years versus 6.3 years at Bellarmine University, on median earnings of $61,480 vs $62,069 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Galen College of Nursing-Louisville | Bellarmine University |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $18,540 | $21,499 |
| Total net cost | $74,160 | $85,996 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $61,480 | $62,069 |
| Median debt | $24,166 | $25,000 |
| Payback | 5.7 yrs | 6.3 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $188,240 | $188,184 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Galen College of Nursing-Louisville or Bellarmine University?
Galen College of Nursing-Louisville, at $18,540 a year after aid versus $21,499 — a gap of $2,959 a year, or $11,836 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-Louisville or Bellarmine University graduates earn more?
Bellarmine University graduates report a median $62,069 ten years after entry, $589 more than the $61,480 at Galen College of Nursing-Louisville. 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-Louisville or Bellarmine University?
Galen College of Nursing-Louisville: its completers carry a median $24,166 in federal loans versus $25,000 at Bellarmine University, a difference of $834. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
64% of students finish at Bellarmine University, against 61% at Galen College of Nursing-Louisville. 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.