Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at Galen College of Nursing-Cincinnati

Galen College of Nursing-Cincinnati delivers solid earning potential but comes with significantly higher debt than typical nursing programs. With first-year earnings of $76,234, graduates earn about $6,000 more than the Ohio median and rank in the 60th percentile among Ohio nursing programs. However, the median debt of $45,775 is 70% higher than both national and state mediums of $27,000, placing this program in the 5th percentile nationally for debt levels—meaning 95% of nursing programs nationwide saddle students with less debt.

The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.60 means graduates carry debt equal to about 60% of their first-year salary, which is manageable but not ideal for nursing. Most nursing programs offer better debt-to-income profiles. The 8% earnings growth over four years ($82,003 by year four) is modest, suggesting limited salary progression compared to the substantial upfront investment.

While Galen's graduates do earn more than typical Ohio nursing graduates, you're paying a premium for that advantage. With 57% of students receiving Pell grants, this appears to be a program serving working-class families who may be particularly debt-sensitive. For the same degree, Ohio offers dozens of alternatives with similar earning potential and much lower debt loads—including public options that would likely cost significantly less, especially for Ohio residents.