University of Dayton vs Galen College of Nursing-Cincinnati: which has better ROI?
University of Dayton has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $118,132 in 4.3 years versus 4.4 years at Galen College of Nursing-Cincinnati, on median earnings of $75,537 vs $61,480 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | University of Dayton | Galen College of Nursing-Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $29,533 | $28,785 |
| Total net cost | $118,132 | $57,570 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $75,537 | $61,480 |
| Median debt | $23,250 | $24,166 |
| Payback | 4.3 yrs | 4.4 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $425,408 | $204,830 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, University of Dayton or Galen College of Nursing-Cincinnati?
Galen College of Nursing-Cincinnati, at $28,785 a year after aid versus $29,533 — a gap of $748 a year, or $60,562 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do University of Dayton or Galen College of Nursing-Cincinnati graduates earn more?
University of Dayton graduates report a median $75,537 ten years after entry, $14,057 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, University of Dayton or Galen College of Nursing-Cincinnati?
University of Dayton: its completers carry a median $23,250 in federal loans versus $24,166 at Galen College of Nursing-Cincinnati, a difference of $916. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
80% of students finish at University of Dayton, against 57% at Galen College of Nursing-Cincinnati. 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.