Northern Kentucky University vs Bellarmine University: which has better ROI?
Bellarmine University has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $85,996 in 6.3 years versus 17.6 years at Northern Kentucky University, on median earnings of $62,069 vs $50,220 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Northern Kentucky University | Bellarmine University |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $8,191 | $21,499 |
| Total net cost | $32,764 | $85,996 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $50,220 | $62,069 |
| Median debt | $23,000 | $25,000 |
| Payback | 17.6 yrs | 6.3 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $4,436 | $188,184 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Northern Kentucky University or Bellarmine University?
Northern Kentucky University, at $8,191 a year after aid versus $21,499 — a gap of $13,308 a year, or $53,232 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Northern Kentucky University or Bellarmine University graduates earn more?
Bellarmine University graduates report a median $62,069 ten years after entry, $11,849 more than the $50,220 at Northern Kentucky University. 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, Northern Kentucky University or Bellarmine University?
Northern Kentucky University: its completers carry a median $23,000 in federal loans versus $25,000 at Bellarmine University, a difference of $2,000. 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 52% at Northern Kentucky University. 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.