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Mercy College of Ohio vs Galen College of Nursing-Cincinnati: which has better ROI?

Private nonprofit, Toledo OH · vs · Private for-profit, Cincinnati OH

The verdict

Mercy College of Ohio has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $71,956 in 4.2 years versus 4.4 years at Galen College of Nursing-Cincinnati, on median earnings of $65,409 vs $61,480 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureMercy College of OhioGalen College of Nursing-Cincinnati
Net price / yr$17,989$28,785
Total net cost$71,956$57,570
Median earnings, 10 yrs$65,409$61,480
Median debt$20,834$24,166
Payback4.2 yrs4.4 yrs
20-year net return$269,024$204,830

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

Which is cheaper, Mercy College of Ohio or Galen College of Nursing-Cincinnati?

Mercy College of Ohio, at $17,989 a year after aid versus $28,785 — a gap of $10,796 a year, or $14,386 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Mercy College of Ohio or Galen College of Nursing-Cincinnati graduates earn more?

Mercy College of Ohio graduates report a median $65,409 ten years after entry, $3,929 more than the $61,480 at Galen College of Nursing-Cincinnati. 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, Mercy College of Ohio or Galen College of Nursing-Cincinnati?

Mercy College of Ohio: its completers carry a median $20,834 in federal loans versus $24,166 at Galen College of Nursing-Cincinnati, a difference of $3,332. 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 56% at Mercy College of Ohio. 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.

Mercy College of Ohio vs Galen College of Nursing-Cincinnati: frequently asked questions

Is Mercy College of Ohio or Galen College of Nursing-Cincinnati a better value?
Mercy College of Ohio. It clears its $71,956 net cost in about 4.2 years versus 4.4 years at Galen College of Nursing-Cincinnati, on median earnings of $65,409 vs $61,480 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, Mercy College of Ohio or Galen College of Nursing-Cincinnati?
Mercy College of Ohio: $17,989/yr net price after aid versus $28,785/yr at Galen College of Nursing-Cincinnati — a difference of $10,796 a year, or about $14,386 over four years.
Do Mercy College of Ohio or Galen College of Nursing-Cincinnati graduates earn more?
Mercy College of Ohio graduates earn a median $65,409 ten years after entry, versus $61,480 at Galen College of Nursing-Cincinnati — a $3,929 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.