Bellarmine University
Louisville, Kentucky · Private Nonprofit · 86.1% acceptance rate
ROI Score: 68/100 · Fair Value
Bellarmine University scores 68 (Fair Value) — a below-average result for a small Catholic university in Louisville, Kentucky, where $48,770 sticker tuition drops to $21,499 net price, but median six-year earnings of $43,100 and an 8.3-year payback create a slow financial return. The 64.4% completion rate is mediocre for a private institution. Registered Nursing (142 graduates, $70,544 year one) is the clear earnings anchor — without it, the institutional median would fall further. Psychology (71 graduates), Kinesiology (52 graduates), and Biology (31 graduates) all carry D-grade debt-to-earnings ratios, and International Relations (18 graduates) approaches 1.0 debt-to-earnings at year one. The 82.8% repayment rate at seven years is a relative positive.
Bellarmine University
Quick Numbers
| In-state tuition + fees | $48,770/yr |
| Out-of-state tuition + fees | $48,770/yr |
| Average net price | $21,499/yr |
| Total 4-year cost (net) | $85,996 |
| Median earnings (10yr post-entry) | $62,069 |
| Median earnings (6yr post-entry) | $43,100 |
| Median debt at graduation | $25,000 |
| Estimated monthly loan payment | $265 |
| Estimated payback period | 8.3 years |
| 6-year graduation rate | 64.4% |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 2,161 |
Data as of 2024-2025. Source: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education).
The Full Financial Picture
The sticker price at Bellarmine University is $48,770/year. But sticker price isn't what most students pay. After grants, scholarships, and financial aid, the average student pays a net price of $21,499/year, or roughly $85,996 over four years.
That net price varies significantly by family income. The lowest-income families (under $30,000/year) pay an average of $18,430/year, while families earning over $110,000 pay $29,194/year.
The median graduate leaves with $25,000 in federal loan debt, translating to an estimated monthly payment of $265 on a standard 10-year repayment plan. Against median earnings of $62,069 ten years out, the debt-to-earnings ratio is 0.58 - within the recommended range but worth monitoring.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after grants and scholarships, by income bracket.
| Family Income | Avg Net Price/Year |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $18,430 |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $19,358 |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $17,391 |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $21,987 |
| $110,001+ | $29,194 |
Cost by Income Bracket Explained
Lower-income families (under $30K)
The 0-$30,000 income bracket pays $18,430 per year — a high net price for this income tier at a private Kentucky institution. Given that University of Louisville's net price for similar income brackets is lower, low-income students should compare carefully. For Bellarmine nursing students, the investment is defensible at this price. For other programs, it is not.
Middle-income families ($30K-$110K)
The $48,001-$75,000 bracket pays $17,391 — unusual in that it is lower than the $30,001-$48,000 bracket ($19,358), reflecting a step in the aid formula. The $75,001-$110,000 bracket rises to $21,987. Middle-income families in nursing are getting reasonable value; middle-income families in most other programs are overpaying relative to available alternatives.
Higher-income families ($110K+)
Families earning $110,000 or more pay $29,194 per year — $116,776 over four years. Against $43,100 median six-year earnings, the full-price ROI case at Bellarmine is weak outside of nursing. Higher-income Louisville families have access to University of Louisville, which offers stronger research infrastructure and comparable outcomes at better pricing for most programs.
Earnings by Major
Top 10 most popular majors at Bellarmine University with available earnings data.
| Major | Median Earnings | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing | $82,814 | B |
| Psychology | $53,413 | D |
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $63,991 | C |
| Kinesiology and Exercise Science | $61,841 | D |
| Communication and Media Studies | $50,665 | D |
| Biology | $29,253 | D |
| Teacher Education | $43,808 | D |
| Finance and Financial Management | $84,262 | - |
| Special Education and Teaching | $40,785 | C |
| International Relations | $52,228 | D |
Earnings reflect median 4-year post-completion (or 1-year where 4-year unavailable). Grades based on debt-to-earnings ratio.
Program Analysis
Why these programs deliver their earnings outcomes.
Registered Nursing
Nursing (142 graduates) earns $70,544 year one and $82,814 year four with a B-grade debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.437. This is Bellarmine's largest program and its only reliably strong financial outcome. Median debt of $30,800 is notably higher than the institutional average, but RN wages in the Louisville healthcare market — home to Humana, Norton Healthcare, and Baptist Health — absorb this debt comfortably. Nursing is the primary financial justification for choosing Bellarmine over cheaper alternatives.
Business Administration, Management, and Operations
Business (57 graduates) earns $41,061 year one and $63,991 year four with a C-grade debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.633. At a $21,499 net price, these numbers are marginal — business graduates at Bellarmine earn less year one than graduates of comparable University of Louisville programs at lower cost. The four-year figure of $63,991 is adequate but not competitive with stronger business schools in the region.
Kinesiology and Exercise Science
Kinesiology (52 graduates) earns $30,236 year one and $61,841 year four with a D-grade debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.858 and $25,944 median debt. The wide year-one to year-four gap suggests most graduates enter graduate programs in physical therapy, athletic training, or occupational therapy — which means significant additional borrowing beyond the $25,944 undergraduate figure. Students planning health professional school should model total debt, not just undergraduate costs.
Psychology
Psychology (71 graduates) earns $29,028 year one and $53,413 year four with a D-grade debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.909 and $26,376 median debt. These are standard liberal arts psychology outcomes at a price point that doesn't justify them. Graduates carry nearly a full year's earnings in debt and earn wages in year one that barely cover loan servicing. Students not planning graduate school in clinical psychology or a related licensed field should consider whether this program at this price is the right choice.
Teacher Education
Teacher Education (27 graduates) earns $38,469 year one and $43,808 year four with a D-grade debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.702 and $27,000 median debt. Kentucky teacher salaries are among the lower in the region, and the four-year earnings growth from year one to year four is minimal. Students planning teaching careers have access to significantly cheaper programs at Kentucky public universities — Western Kentucky, Eastern Kentucky, and Morehead State all offer teacher preparation at lower net prices.
How Graduates Do
Earnings
Loan Repayment
| Metric | This School | Nat'l Avg |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year repayment | 81.4% | 52.0% |
| 3-year repayment | 82.8% | 62.0% |
| 5-year repayment | 78.2% | 68.0% |
| 7-year repayment | 80.7% | 72.0% |
Completion Rate
Admissions Snapshot
| Acceptance rate | 86.1% |
| SAT Math (25th-75th) | 520-620 |
| SAT Reading (25th-75th) | 510-630 |
| ACT Composite (25th-75th) | 23-28 |
| Enrollment | 2,161 |
| Pell Grant recipients | 30.7% |
| Avg faculty salary (monthly) | $8,508 |
Bellarmine admits 86.1% of applicants with SAT Math 520-620 and Reading 510-630, ACT composite 23-28. This is an accessible private institution — not elite, but with a clear Catholic liberal arts identity. The ACT range sits in the middle tier: students with ACT 23-28 are choosing between Bellarmine and comparable regional private or public options. Financial aid comparison is essential given the $48,770 sticker price.
Compared to Similar Schools
Peer institutions matched by type, size, and selectivity.
Bellarmine's peers include Alice Lloyd College, Asbury University, Wheaton College, Saint Peter's University, and University of Mount Saint Vincent. Wheaton College (Illinois) is a more selective evangelical institution with stronger outcomes. Saint Peter's and Mount Saint Vincent are comparable small Catholic colleges in the New York area. Alice Lloyd is a highly distinctive Appalachian institution. Bellarmine's 68 score is mid-range within this peer group, with nursing strength propping up what would otherwise be a weaker institutional profile.
| School | ROI | Net Price | 10yr Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bellarmine University (this school) | 68 | $21,499 | $62,069 |
| Wheaton College | 70 | $26,975 | $63,756 |
| Saint Peter's University | 68 | $12,199 | $57,815 |
| University of Mount Saint Vincent | 68 | $21,696 | $65,756 |
| Asbury University | 29 | $21,401 | $42,368 |
| Alice Lloyd College | 18 | $18,600 | $40,573 |
Who Thrives Here
Bellarmine fits students who want a small (2,161 students) Catholic residential environment in Louisville and are entering nursing, business, or allied health programs where earnings support the cost. Students choosing kinesiology, psychology, biology, or communications at Bellarmine's price point need to be in graduate school pipelines or accept slow debt repayment in early career. The 86.1% acceptance rate is broadly accessible. With 30.7% Pell rate, Bellarmine serves a moderate low-income population for a private institution.
The Verdict: A Reasonable Bet - With Caveats
Bellarmine University offers fair financial value, though the ROI depends heavily on individual circumstances. The net cost of $21,499 per year leads to $85,996 over four years, while graduates earn a median of $62,069 a decade out. The payback period of 8.3 years is about average - not bad, but not a standout either.
The data highlights several strengths: high loan repayment success.
Median debt of $25,000 against $62,069 in earnings is reasonable, though major choice matters significantly. Students in higher-earning programs will see better returns.
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Data: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education)
Vintage: 2024-2025 · Last updated: 2026-03-25
Earnings reflect median outcomes for all federal financial aid recipients. Individual results vary by major, effort, and career path.