Head-to-head · 2026
Galen College of Nursing-Louisville vs Northern Kentucky University
Compare average net price ($18,540 at Galen College of Nursing-Louisville; $8,191 at Northern Kentucky University), ROI score (8.29 vs 15.33), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($61,480 vs $50,220), and admissions context (Open / not reported at Galen College of Nursing-Louisville; 67.7% at Northern Kentucky University) using federal College Scorecard data. The table keeps affordability, outcomes, access and program fit separate rather than declaring one universal winner.
Face to face
Metric-by-metric comparison
13 metrics, side by side. Color marks a useful directional signal; admissions, SAT, tuition eligibility, ownership and enrollment stay neutral.
| Metric | Galen College of Nursing-Louisville | Northern Kentucky University |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 8.29 | 15.33 ✓ |
| Avg net price | $18,540 | $8,191 ✓ |
| 4-year avg net price | $74,160 | $32,764 ✓ |
| In-state tuition | — | $11,088 |
| Out-of-state tuition | — | $21,912 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $61,480 ✓ | $50,220 |
| Acceptance rate | Open / not reported | 67.7% |
| Graduation rate | 61.5% ✓ | 52.2% |
| Retention rate | 79.6% ✓ | 75.5% |
| Median debt | $24,166 | $23,000 ✓ |
| Enrollment | 4,801 | 8,246 |
| Ownership | Private For-Profit | Public |
| Avg SAT | — | 1087 |
Cost by family income
Reported net price by income band
Federal averages for students receiving Title IV aid. These are context, not a substitute for either school's financial-aid offer.
| Income band | Galen College of Nursing-Louisville | Northern Kentucky University |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $18,116 | $2,603 ✓ |
| Family income $30–48k | $19,186 | $3,630 ✓ |
| Family income $48–75k | $18,381 | $6,761 ✓ |
| Family income $75–110k | $21,056 | $12,679 ✓ |
| Family income $110k+ | $23,490 | $14,522 ✓ |
Program fit
Shared fields with reported awards
Award share is the share of reported credentials in a field, not the share of currently enrolled students.
| Shared field | Galen College of Nursing-Louisville | Northern Kentucky University |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 89.4% | 29.1% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
Northern Kentucky University reports the lower average net price by $10,349 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $41,396 difference over four years ($32,764 vs $74,160).
Galen College of Nursing-Louisville reports $11,260 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($61,480 vs $50,220). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 79.6% at Galen College of Nursing-Louisville and 75.5% at Northern Kentucky University. Median federal debt among completers is $24,166 vs $23,000, respectively.
1 of the strongest shared fields with positive award-share data are listed below. Award share describes reported credentials in a field, not the percentage of currently enrolled students.
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Frequently asked
Galen College of Nursing-Louisville vs Northern Kentucky University, answered
3 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Which school costs less after aid?
Northern Kentucky University is cheaper — average net price $8,191 per year vs $18,540 at Galen College of Nursing-Louisville. The annual difference of $10,349 adds up to about $41,396 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
Galen College of Nursing-Louisville reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $61,480 vs $50,220 at Northern Kentucky University. The gap in the federal data is $11,260. This is not major-specific earnings.
Is there an overall winner?
No single metric makes either school the universal winner. Compare your actual aid offers, residency tuition, intended major, graduation and retention rates, debt, location and campus fit. EduGradify keeps these trade-offs separate instead of combining admissions selectivity and test scores into a final verdict.