Spalding University
Spalding University — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Spalding University at a Glance
Spalding University is a private Catholic university in Louisville, Kentucky, United States. It is affiliated with the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth.
1814
212 years old
1,553
718 undergrad · 835 grad
Identity
Is Spalding University Worth It?
At a value score of 26/100, Spalding University is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $49,438 — 8% below average — while paying $25,491/year. Consider alternatives with better earnings-to-cost ratios.
With a 2.1-year payback period, most graduates recoup their total cost of attendance relatively quickly.
A 54% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 5 in 10 students finish. Those who don't graduate may still carry student debt without the higher-earning credential to show for it.
With a 99% acceptance rate, admission is essentially open — the question isn't whether you'll get in, but whether the investment will pay off.
With median debt of $25,250 representing 51% of first-year earnings, loan repayment will be a significant burden for most graduates.
Bottom line: consider whether the specific program you're interested in at Spalding University has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.
How Spalding University compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #25 of 54 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | College of Biblical Studies-Houston | 100 | $672 | $39,260 |
| #2 | Albizu University-San Juan | 73 | $9,732 | $41,544 |
| #3 | Pillar College | 49 | $8,470 | $45,577 |
| #4 | University of Fort Lauderdale | 48 | $19,965 | $38,062 |
| #5 | Benjamin Franklin Cummings Institute of Technology | 43 | $15,488 | $57,556 |
| #6 | Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University | 39 | $18,552 | $59,419 |
| #25 | Spalding University | 26 | $25,491 | $49,438 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of Spalding University's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%).
Best Programs at Spalding University
The highest-earning program at Spalding University is Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at $59,000/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Psychology, General at $25,000/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduate from Spalding University earns $59,000, while a Psychology, General graduate earns $25,000. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduates carry $24,571 in median debt vs. $23,500 for Psychology, General.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $25,491/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $59,000 | $59,000 | $24,571 |
| Business/Commerce, General | $32,500 | $32,500 | $25,000 |
| Psychology, General | $25,000 | $25,000 | $23,500 |
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Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Louisville, KY
- Student Body
- 583 students
- Admission Rate
- 99%
- Graduation Rate
- 54%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $25,491
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $49,438
- Median Student Debt
- $25,250