University of Kentucky vs Galen College of Nursing-ARH: which has better ROI?
Galen College of Nursing-ARH has the better ROI: it clears its 2-year net cost of $42,328 in 3.2 years versus 7.1 years at University of Kentucky, on median earnings of $61,480 vs $59,025 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | University of Kentucky | Galen College of Nursing-ARH |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $18,851 | $21,164 |
| Total net cost | $75,404 | $42,328 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $59,025 | $61,480 |
| Median debt | $22,500 | $24,166 |
| Payback | 7.1 yrs | 3.2 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $137,896 | $220,072 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, University of Kentucky or Galen College of Nursing-ARH?
University of Kentucky, at $18,851 a year after aid versus $21,164 — a gap of $2,313 a year, or $33,076 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 Kentucky or Galen College of Nursing-ARH graduates earn more?
Galen College of Nursing-ARH graduates report a median $61,480 ten years after entry, $2,455 more than the $59,025 at University of Kentucky. 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 Kentucky or Galen College of Nursing-ARH?
University of Kentucky: its completers carry a median $22,500 in federal loans versus $24,166 at Galen College of Nursing-ARH, a difference of $1,666. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
71% of students finish at University of Kentucky, against 63% at Galen College of Nursing-ARH. 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.