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Galen College of Nursing Review: Tuition, NCLEX Rates & Is It Worth It?

GradeToGrad Editorial Team

March 14, 2026

Galen has 14 campuses, 90,000 graduates, and NCLEX rates above the national average. Tuition is $16,400/yr. Honest review with alternatives.

What Is Galen College of Nursing?

Galen is one of the largest nursing-focused colleges in the US with 14 campuses across 8 states, including Louisville (KY), San Antonio (TX), Tampa Bay (FL), and Cincinnati (OH). Founded in 1989, it has graduated over 90,000 students with nursing credentials.

Tuition & Costs

Campus	Tuition	6-Year Earnings
Louisville, KY	~$16,400/yr	$58,951
San Antonio, TX	$16,400/yr	$58,951
Tampa Bay, FL	$16,400/yr	$58,951

Total program costs vary by degree level. The BSN program runs approximately $65,000-70,000 total.

Programs

ADN (Associate Degree in Nursing) — fastest path to RN license
BSN (Bachelor of Science in Nursing) — 4-year or bridge program
RN-to-BSN — online bridge for working RNs
MSN — Master's for advanced practice

NCLEX Pass Rates

Galen reports that first-time NCLEX pass rates exceed the national average. The school provides comprehensive NCLEX prep support including practice exams, content review workshops, and assigned academic advisors throughout the program.

Accreditation

CCNE (Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education) accredited — the gold standard for nursing program accreditation.

Pros

Nursing-focused — not a general university with a nursing department; the entire institution is built around nursing education
Small class sizes — students report accessible professors and individual attention
Modern simulation labs — well-equipped for clinical skills practice
Multiple campuses — 14 locations means options across the country
NCLEX prep built in — dedicated support for licensure exam

Cons

Cost — $16,400/year is significantly more than community college ADN programs ($2,000-5,000/year)
For-profit status — Galen is owned by HCA Healthcare, which raises questions about profit motive vs. educational mission
6-year earnings of $58,951 — below the national RN median, suggesting many graduates may be in lower-cost-of-living markets
Limited transferability — credits may not transfer easily to other institutions

Alternatives

Option	Tuition	NCLEX Path	Earnings
Galen BSN	~$16,400/yr	BSN → NCLEX	$58,951
Community college ADN	$2,000-5,000/yr	ADN → NCLEX	$60,000-90,000
State university BSN	$5,000-12,000/yr	BSN → NCLEX	$70,000-120,000

Community college ADN programs offer the same RN license for 70-80% less money, and many state university BSN programs cost less than Galen while producing higher-earning graduates.

Is Galen Worth It?

Worth it if: You need a nursing-focused environment, value the structured support system, and there is not a competitive CC nursing program available in your area (many CC programs have long waitlists).

Not worth it if: You can get into a community college or state university nursing program. The cost difference is substantial, and the RN license is the same regardless of where you earned your degree.

Next Steps

Compare nursing programs in your state
Read our state nursing guides for cheaper alternatives near you
Best community college nursing programs