At $24,264/yr net price, Spalding University graduates earn $49,438/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $15,438/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $24,264 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $97,056 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $49,438/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$15,438/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 6.3 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 57.3% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $25,250 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $21,467/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $18,835/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $23,416/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $25,555/yr |
| $110,001+ | $29,032/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Master | $87,183 | $41,000 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Bachelor | $59,967 | $20,667 |
| Student Counseling and Personnel Services. | Master | $59,124 | $30,366 |
| Business/Commerce, General. | Master | $58,402 | $28,160 |
| Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions. | Master | $57,811 | $68,393 |
| Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology. | Master | $52,941 | |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | Master | $42,044 | |
| Social Work. | Master | $39,369 | $31,688 |
| Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies. | Master | $35,060 | $51,250 |
The Risk Factor
57.3% of students at Spalding University graduate within 6 years. More than half of students finish, but the dropout rate is a real factor in whether this investment pays off.
Analysis
Spalding University gives you a mixed financial return. You'll pay $24,264 a year net and leave with around $25,250 in debt, and the median graduate earns just under $50,000 after ten years. That's a positive gap over the debt load, but the margin is thin for a private school at this price.
Nursing is where the money is. The bachelor's in registered nursing pays about $59,967 and carries lower debt ($20,667) than the school's median. In Louisville, with a large hospital sector including Norton Healthcare and Baptist Health, that degree connects to steady local demand. If you're coming here for nursing, the numbers work in your favor.
Outside nursing, the picture is harder to read because no other bachelor-level earnings data is listed. The school-wide median of $49,438 sits well below the nursing figure, which tells you the non-nursing majors pull the average down. If you enroll in a program other than nursing, plan for earnings closer to that median and price the debt accordingly.
The main risk is completion. A 57% graduation rate and a 69.7% retention rate mean roughly three in ten students don't return after the first year. Debt without a degree is the worst outcome here, so the price only pays off if you finish.
The net price tiers are unusual. If your family earns under $48,000, you'll actually pay less than middle-income families do, with the $30-48k bracket paying the least at $18,835. Families earning $48,000 to $110,000 pay more, and over $110,000 pays close to $29,000. Lower-income families get the better deal here.
Come to Spalding for nursing and finish the degree, and the return holds. For other majors at this price, weigh cheaper public options in Kentucky first.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Spalding University worth the cost?
Spalding University's ROI depends heavily on your major, with nursing programs offering strong returns but other fields lagging behind. With 10-year earnings of $49,438 against a net price of $24,264 annually, the financial payoff is modest for most graduates.
What are the best paying majors at Spalding University?
Nursing programs at Spalding University lead earnings with graduates making around $87,000 in advanced nursing roles and $60,000 in general nursing. Business and rehabilitation programs offer mid-range returns around $57,000-$58,000, while other majors typically earn less.
How much debt do Spalding University graduates have?
Spalding University graduates carry a median debt of $25,250, which is manageable for nursing majors but potentially problematic for lower-earning fields. The 57% graduation rate means many students leave with debt but no degree.
Does Spalding University provide good financial aid?
Spalding University's net price of $24,264 suggests moderate financial aid, though this still represents a significant cost relative to typical graduate earnings. Students should carefully evaluate aid packages against their chosen program's earning potential.