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Wake Forest University vs Galen Health Institutes-Asheville: which has better ROI?

Private nonprofit, Winston-Salem NC · vs · Private for-profit, Asheville NC

The verdict

Wake Forest University has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $114,876 in 3.9 years versus 4.4 years at Galen Health Institutes-Asheville, on median earnings of $78,158 vs $61,480 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureWake Forest UniversityGalen Health Institutes-Asheville
Net price / yr$28,719$28,602
Total net cost$114,876$57,204
Median earnings, 10 yrs$78,158$61,480
Median debt$21,500$24,166
Payback3.9 yrs4.4 yrs
20-year net return$481,084$205,196

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

Which is cheaper, Wake Forest University or Galen Health Institutes-Asheville?

Galen Health Institutes-Asheville, at $28,602 a year after aid versus $28,719 — a gap of $117 a year, or $57,672 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Wake Forest University or Galen Health Institutes-Asheville graduates earn more?

Wake Forest University graduates report a median $78,158 ten years after entry, $16,678 more than the $61,480 at Galen Health Institutes-Asheville. 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, Wake Forest University or Galen Health Institutes-Asheville?

Wake Forest University: its completers carry a median $21,500 in federal loans versus $24,166 at Galen Health Institutes-Asheville, a difference of $2,666. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Wake Forest University vs Galen Health Institutes-Asheville: frequently asked questions

Is Wake Forest University or Galen Health Institutes-Asheville a better value?
Wake Forest University. It clears its $114,876 net cost in about 3.9 years versus 4.4 years at Galen Health Institutes-Asheville, on median earnings of $78,158 vs $61,480 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, Wake Forest University or Galen Health Institutes-Asheville?
Galen Health Institutes-Asheville: $28,602/yr net price after aid versus $28,719/yr at Wake Forest University — a difference of $117 a year, or about $57,672 over four years.
Do Wake Forest University or Galen Health Institutes-Asheville graduates earn more?
Wake Forest University graduates earn a median $78,158 ten years after entry, versus $61,480 at Galen Health Institutes-Asheville — a $16,678 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.