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Galen College of Nursing-Louisville vs Centre College: which has better ROI?

Private for-profit, Louisville KY · vs · Private nonprofit, Danville KY

The verdict

Centre College has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $83,124 in 4.6 years versus 5.7 years at Galen College of Nursing-Louisville, on median earnings of $66,240 vs $61,480 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureGalen College of Nursing-LouisvilleCentre College
Net price / yr$18,540$20,781
Total net cost$74,160$83,124
Median earnings, 10 yrs$61,480$66,240
Median debt$24,166$27,000
Payback5.7 yrs4.6 yrs
20-year net return$188,240$274,476

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

Which is cheaper, Galen College of Nursing-Louisville or Centre College?

Galen College of Nursing-Louisville, at $18,540 a year after aid versus $20,781 — a gap of $2,241 a year, or $8,964 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 Centre College graduates earn more?

Centre College graduates report a median $66,240 ten years after entry, $4,760 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 Centre College?

Galen College of Nursing-Louisville: its completers carry a median $24,166 in federal loans versus $27,000 at Centre College, a difference of $2,834. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

81% of students finish at Centre College, 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.

Galen College of Nursing-Louisville vs Centre College: frequently asked questions

Is Galen College of Nursing-Louisville or Centre College a better value?
Centre College. It clears its $83,124 net cost in about 4.6 years versus 5.7 years at Galen College of Nursing-Louisville, on median earnings of $66,240 vs $61,480 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, Galen College of Nursing-Louisville or Centre College?
Galen College of Nursing-Louisville: $18,540/yr net price after aid versus $20,781/yr at Centre College — a difference of $2,241 a year, or about $8,964 over four years.
Do Galen College of Nursing-Louisville or Centre College graduates earn more?
Centre College graduates earn a median $66,240 ten years after entry, versus $61,480 at Galen College of Nursing-Louisville — a $4,760 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.